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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.
Learn more about this agency09/01/2023 to 09/30/2023
$37,696 - $105,703 per year
A fully trained CBP Officer is eligible for up to $45,000 in overtime pay in addition to the starting salary.
GS 5 - 7
Many vacancies in the following location:
No
No
Occasional travel - Travel may be required based on operational needs.
No
Permanent
Full-time - May include rotating shifts, assignments, and overtime on a regular and recurring basis.
Competitive
12
No
Yes
CBPO 23-12
745918700
United States Citizens may apply. Locations are determined by the needs of the agency after the successful completion of pre-employment.
Being a Customs and Border Protection Officer makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include:
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
Firearm Proficiency: You will be required to carry a firearm. Firearm proficiency is required for all CBP Officers and is part of the training provided.
Probationary Period: You must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent Federal appointment.
Formal Training: You will complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately 30 days at your home port prior to attending the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for approximately 20 weeks at Glynco, GA. Candidates selected for duty locations where they are required to be proficient in reading, writing and speaking Spanish will be required to either pass a Spanish language proficiency examination or attend a 6-week long Spanish immersion class at FLETC. For more information, please visit CBP Field Operations Academy. Successful completion of the academy is required for this position.
Uniform/Grooming Standards: While in a duty status, this position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here.
Residency Requirement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three (3) of the last five (5) years, before completing an application for CBP employment. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
Refer to the Qualification Section for information on education substitution.
Polygraph Examination: The CBP Officer position is a polygraph-required position. You must take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. For more information and videos about the polygraph process, please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior Federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation package.
Background Investigation: This position is a sensitive National Security Position and, upon selection, candidates will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention in this position. For more information, please see Background Investigation and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The E-QIP
Pre-Screening Interview: As a part of the suitability process applicants may be required to undergo a pre-screening interview.
Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence: The CBP Officer position is a weapons-carrying position. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Therefore, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you are not qualified for this position.
Medical/Physical Requirements: You must complete the medical screening process and be found to meet the medical standards for the position. If you do not meet the medical standards for the position, you may request a waiver of the medical standard by demonstrating with non-medical information that, with or without reasonable accommodation, you can safely perform the essential duties of the position. For more information click here. This video explains what to expect in the Medical Exam process: Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Medical Exam
Drug Testing Requirements: Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Program. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. For more information, visit our Drug Testing FAQs and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Drug Test
Physical Fitness Screening: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. This is a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test. For more information, please see the Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test
Interview Process: You will be required to pass a structured interview. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Structured Interview
Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). For more information, please visit https://www.nteu.org/i-am-nteu/chapter-websites
After you successfully complete all the pre-employment steps, you will be at the final offer step. For more information on the final offer, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Final Offer
If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment. Click this link for more information.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents and the entrance examination.
The CBP Officer Entrance Examination consists of three parts: 1) the Candidate Experience Record; a short online questionnaire 2) the Writing Skills Test; Part 2 of the Entrance Exam and 3) the Reasoning exams taken at a local testing center. The Reasoning exams contain the following two assessments: Logical Reasoning and Arithmetic Reasoning. This video explains what to expect for the Entrance Exam - Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Entrance Exam
To be eligible, applicants must pass the entrance examination with a score of at least 70. Proper test preparation is essential for the successful candidate; therefore, we strongly encourage you to review the CBP Officer Study Guides and take the CBP Officer Entrance Exam Pre-Test. The pre-test is a preview of the types of questions you can expect to see on the actual exam.
If you have taken and passed the CBPO Entrance Exam after March 2021, your passing score is still valid and you do not need to retest. If you have taken and failed the exam, you will need to wait six (6) months from the date you failed the exam until you can retest. Test results prior to March 2021 are no longer valid. A passing score does not guarantee selection.
Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period as they successfully complete the entrance exam and meet minimum qualifications.
If you pass the entrance exam and meet minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories for referral and consideration:
Best Qualified: Substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications
Very Highly Qualified: Exceeds, to a very considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
Highly Qualified: Exceeds, to a considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
Well Qualified: Marginally exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who demonstrate average proficiency in most of the critical competencies
Qualified: Meets the basic minimum qualifications
Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on grade levels. Veterans with 5-point preference or 10-point non-compensable preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible within the category in which they qualify.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, as amended, that would interfere with completing the CBP Officer Entrance Exam, you are able to request a Reasonable Accommodation prior to the online questionnaire and the Reasoning exams. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
Resume: A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history, a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), as well as your hours worked per week. If you are a current or former Federal employee please include your salary, pay scale and grade information. NOTE: Most applicants are screened out for insufficient information on their resume. Please see the CBPO Resume Aid for specific information and examples.
Transcripts: Required if basing any part of your qualifications on education and must be in English from an accredited institution. Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended are required. Official transcripts preferred, but will accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application. Official transcripts are required upon receipt of a final offer of employment. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
Veterans' Preference Documents: If you claim Veterans' Preference you will be required to submit proof of eligibility (DD 214 Member-4 copy, Certificate of Release or Discharge) showing your Character of Service. Those applying for 10-Point preference must submit documentation that demonstrates preference eligibility. Please see the documentation as listed on the SF-15.
Statement of Service (Certification letter): If you are still on active duty you must submit a signed certification from the Armed Services showing you will be discharged or released from active duty. This certification should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) campaign badges and expeditionary medals earned; and (3) the character of service. View more about Veterans' Preference. Prior to entering on duty, you will be required to provide a final DD-214 showing character of service.
Age Requirement Documents: If you are over 40 years old, you will need to submit proof you are eligible for an age waiver OR you are a preference eligible Veteran.If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service; you must submit copies of your SF-50s reflecting the beginning date and end date of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20), and Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Block 30 of your SF-50 should show Retirement Code M or O. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement. If you are claiming an age waiver based on Veterans' preference, submit the required Veterans' preference documents.
SF-50: If you are a current/former Federal employee it is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" form. Please do not submit a Performance Award SF-50.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Program (CTAP) and/or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Please submit:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Before you apply, it is critical that you acknowledge each of CBP's Conditions of Employment. We expect our employees to uphold these conditions throughout their tenure with CBP. This video will detail each of our main categories: appearance and health; examinations, investigations, and tests; fitness and the academy. The goal of this video is to provide you with upfront knowledge of CBP's expectations - Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Conditions of Employment
To begin your online application, sign into USA Jobs or create a USA Jobs account if you do not already have one. Click Apply and follow the prompts to fill out the online questionnaire and submit your application. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the Required Documents section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are planning to apply using your phone or tablet, see Browser Compatibility.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The email address posted below is for inquiries only. Applicants may not update any part of their application after initial submission. You must submit your resume, application questionnaire and any supporting documents at the time of application. Please see the Next Steps section for more information.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP and/or ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. In addition, to be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum requirements of the position as defined in the Well Qualified category.
Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled Veteran Leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. View more information on applying for Federal employment. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.
All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
Once you submit your application, you will receive an email from CBPEntry_Support@psionline.com with a link to create an account to access the online assessment, which takes approximately 1 hour. You must complete this portion of the exam on a personal computer within 48 hours of receipt of the email.
After completion of the initial online assessment, you will receive an email from CBPEntry_Support@psionline.com to complete the Writing Skills Test. You must complete this portion of the exam on a personal computer within 5 days after receiving the email.
Upon successful completion of the Writing Skills Test you may receive a final email from CBPEntry_Support@psionline.com to schedule the proctored exam at a local testing center. You will have 14 days to schedule and complete the proctored exam at a local testing center. Please be sure to check your email, spam, and junk folders daily. Scheduling the proctored exam as soon as possible will ensure the most options for testing. Please allow approximately 4 hours to complete the exam.
If you meet the qualifications for this position and have a passing score, you will be considered for future openings in "category order" in accordance with Veterans' Preference regulations.
Your status will be updated on USA Jobs throughout the process. To check your status, log into your USA Jobs account and go to your home page to view active applications.
If you are currently in the pre-employment process for the CBP Officer position at the grades 5, 7 or 9 and you reapply under this announcement and are subsequently referred for a position, all active pre-employment process statuses will be applied to this application (e.g., medical status, background investigation, etc.).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/745918700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the Nation's borders. CBP employees protect our Nation's borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade.
The path to become a Customs and Border Protection Officer includes several steps. Each step is necessary to make sure we are hiring people who are qualified and capable of doing this important work. This video includes what you need to know as you navigate the journey in becoming a Customs and Border Protection Officer - Your Journey To Becoming A Customs & Border Protection Officer
The video: Securing America's Ports of Entry emphasizes the importance of CBP Field Operations' frontline role in helping CBP accomplish its mission.
Be sure to keep up to date on all the latest CBP has to offer its employees by liking and following us on Twitter (@CBPJobs) and LinkedIn
CBP encourages women, minorities, and veterans to apply for an exciting career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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