Customs and Border Protection Officer - Experienced

Overview

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those interested in a career in law enforcement an opportunity to work with an elite team of professionals protecting America. You will be part of the Department of Homeland Security workforce, protecting American interests and securing our nation.

If you are looking for a rewarding career with great pay, benefits, and job stability, now is the time to make your move.

As a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO), you will be part of a 60,000+ workforce that safeguards the borders, deters illicit activity, and supports the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a CBPO is a valued role in the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

• Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture laws and regulations.
• Facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
• Conducting inspections of individuals and conveyances.
• Determining the admissibility of individuals for entry into the United States.
• Preventing illegal entry, smuggling, and trafficking of prohibited goods and drugs.

Duty Locations – Incentives available for some locations

You will be asked to provide a preference for one of the listed mission-critical locations. Location incentives vary by duty location and may affect salary supplements and overtime eligibility. If a duty location has no vacancies at the final offer, you may be offered a location elsewhere in the United States. Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements and CBP OFO hiring needs.

Salary – and Duty Location Recruitment Incentives – and Benefits

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed CBPOs varies as follows:

• GS-9: $61,111 - $124,443 per year

Locality pay varies by duty location.

Note:

A fully trained CBPO is eligible for up to $45,000 in overtime pay in addition to the starting salary.

This is a career ladder position with a grade progression of GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, and GS-12. Promotion to the next grade occurs after 52 weeks in each grade, subject to agency discretion.

Officers are eligible for a range of Federal employment benefits, including health and dental insurance, paid leave, sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement plan).

Location

Incentives:

Some duty locations offer additional 15%–25% of salary for the first 3 (or
4) years, in addition to any overtime pay. Specific locations include 25% incentives for:
Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, Tecate, CA;
Key West, FL;
Calais/Jackman, ME;
Detroit, MI;
Grand Portage, MN;
Raymond/Sweetgrass, MT;
Dunseith/Pembina, ND;
Beecher Falls, VT;
Oroville, WA. Other locations offer 15% or 10% incentives as listed in the original posting.

Qualifications:

You qualify for the GS-9 grade level by one of the following: experience, education, or a combination of both.

Experience: A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, including:

• Detaining suspected violators of laws and/or arresting violators using proper law enforcement methods.
• Enforcing laws related to importing, exporting, and/or international shipping to and from the United States.
• Using intelligence techniques and risk assessments to identify potential threats.
• Conducting interviews in a law enforcement capacity to gather information for action.

Education Substitution: A master's degree or two or more years of graduate study, or an LL.B./J.D. from an accredited school.

Combination of Experience and

Education:

A combination of specialized experience and graduate education, as documented in your resume and transcripts.

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age Restriction: Per retirement provisions, with possible exceptions for certain federal law enforcement positions.
• Veterans’ Preference: Eligible for VRA; age restriction may be waived for Veterans’ Preference eligible.
• Formal Training: Required to complete a paid pre-academy orientation, then a 101-day CBP Field Operations Academy at FLETC, GA. Some locations require Spanish training online.

Click the Apply button on this site to access the CBP Talent Network page. For Position of Interest, select Customs and Border Protection Officer. You will receive links to the CBPO JOA(s) on USAJOBS. Review all details and follow instructions (resume, transcripts, etc.). Applications will be evaluated based on resume, supporting documents, and the CBPO Entrance Exam.

As a subscriber to the CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with OFO and CBP.