U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer - Military veterans preferred

Customs and Border Protection Officers are employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.

*** The next Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) opens February 1, 2023 - register your interest in CBP's Talent Network using the APPLY button on this site. You'll then receive an email from CBP with the JOA link attached. FYSA: San Diego/San Ysidro is a POSSIBLE duty location - check the live JOA to confirm all possible locations.

These positions will be filled at the entry level grade of GS-5 or GS-7 and grade level eligibility and salaries ($40,000- $50,000) vary depending upon background, including experience and education, and duty location of the opportunity.

Typical assignments include:
- Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture law 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; and
- Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband

*** Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs for entry level CBP Officers as determined by CBP's Office of Field Operations. Locations listed on the JOA are expected to have vacancies available at the time of final offer, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States.

If you accept one of the below duty locations you may be eligible to receive an additional 15%-25% of your salary each year for the first 3 years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. A fully trained CBP Officer is eligible for up to $45,000 in overtime pay in addition to the starting salary. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level.

Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
- 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 17 - 19 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. Successful completion of the academy is required for this position.
- 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 selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.
- A complete list of requirements is available in the JOA.

Qualifications - The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if your supporting documentation shows you possess one of the following:
Experience: A minimum of 3 years full-time general work experience that demonstrates the ability to meet and deal with people and the ability to learn and be able to apply what you have learned; OR
Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR
Will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement and will upload all official or unofficial transcripts before the closing date of this announcement; OR
Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of successfully completed college education AND general work experience. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial college transcripts submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if your supporting documentation shows you possess one of the following:
Experience: A minimum of 1 year of specialized full-time work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that entails performance of duties in inspections work at borders, seaports, airports or other ports of entry and/or work involving preliminary screening of persons for entry and immigration status, or compliance/regulatory work; OR
Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership; OR
One full year of graduate level education (equivalent to 18 semester or 27 quarter hours) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, corrections and rehabilitation, justice studies, homeland security, forensic technology and forensic psychology) from an accredited college or university; OR
Will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement or one full year of graduate level education (equivalent to 18 semester or 27 quarter hours) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR
Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized work experience equivalent to the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, corrections and rehabilitation, justice studies, homeland security, forensic technology and forensic psychology) from an accredited college or university. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under enhanced retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Customs and Border Protection Officer position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-08. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

*** The age restriction does not apply if you are a Veterans' preference eligible.


How to Apply

To apply for this position, click the Apply button/link on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network site. Complete the information requested on that page and for Position of Interest select Customs and Border Protection Officer.

When the next JOA opens, you will be provided a link to USAJOBS, the Federal Government's official employment site to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job announcement and follow all instructions in the application process, including items (resume, transcripts, etc.) to submit.