CBP Officer (Border Security)

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, International Operations and Advisory Directorate (IOAD), International Field Office, International Operations Center Division in Ashburn, VA.

Duties

**The salary has been updated for this vacancy announcement and the close date has been extended to 10/20/2026** Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to manage one or more national programs in order to help to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering/exiting the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to direct programs that strengthen the Department's ability to perform homeland security. This position starts at a salary of $125,158.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $162,708.00 (GS-13, Step 10). Salary above includes Special Rate for Customs and Border Protection Officer positions in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality pay area. In this position you will become a key member of a team of homeland security professionals responsible for managing and ensuring the performance of the full range of inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and law enforcement activities relating to arrival and departure of persons, conveyances, and merchandise at Ports of Entry (POE). Typical work assignments include: Applying thorough and comprehensive knowledge of program related legislation and regulations and an extensive knowledge of inspection and investigating techniques including the preparation of reports that substantiate findings and serving as a basis for legal action. Applying behavioral and cultural analysis, and decision-making skills performing the risk assessment required to release travelers and shipments and identifying those requiring further scrutiny, especially those involving terrorist individuals and instruments of terror. Planning, leading, designing, and coordinating enforcement efforts with Field Intelligence and Analytical Units, Joint Multi-Task Force Teams, Tactical Terrorism Response Team (TTRT), Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), and other Task Force details. Developing and deploying innovative strategies to prevent the illegal entry of terrorists and their associates into the United States; participates with Office of Field Operations components in deterring and disrupting smuggling operations and interdicting principals inbound and outbound. Serving as the focal point for unifying, coordinating, and overseeing anti-terrorism and contraband enforcement efforts within the geographic area and among the ports under the field offices' purview, as well as between these offices and other applicable entities. If going from a LEO Covered Position to a Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for Law Enforcement Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). For further information on the Secondary CBPO Enhanced Retirement Coverage, please see the Qualifications section If going from a Primary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position to a Secondary CBPO SRC Position and you have less than 3 years in a Primary CBPO SRC Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for CBP Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or covered under your applicable non-special retirement system depending upon previous service. For further information on the Secondary CBPO SRC, please see the Qualifications section.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Conducting prearrival targeting and intelligence vetting and gathering and analyzing information from all available sources. Performing primary inspections of cargo, conveyances, and travelers and secondary inspections of referrals from primary. Developing, planning, and performing tactical operations in cargo and passenger environments. Employing a variety of investigative techniques and preparing accurate reports regarding inspections, gathered intelligence, and incidents. Interacting with internal and external contacts and mentoring lower level CBP officers and officers new to the port, environment, or work unit. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (5 CFR 842.1003; 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b); and 5 USC 8412(d). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a primary position; and, if applicable, have been continuously employed in a secondary position or positions since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180. The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6, 2008. Administrative Secondary CBP Officer (CBPO) Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) Requirement: This position meets the definition of secondary administrative CBPO SRC under the laws and regulations defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331 (31), Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and General Provisions for CBPO defined in 5 U.S.C. 8401(36), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The criterion is that knowledge, skill and ability in a position deemed to meet primary CBPO SRC is a mandatory prerequisite to satisfactorily perform the major duties and responsibilities of this job. The conditions for coverage of a secondary position are contained in 5 C.F.R. § 831.1604 for CSRS and 5 C.F.R. § 842.1003 for FERS. As defined in 5 C.F.R. § 831.1602 CSRS and 5 CFR 842.1002 FERS, to be eligible for this secondary administrative CBP) SRC position you must have permanently served in a primary CBPO SRC position, e.g. Customs Inspector, GS-1890; Immigration Inspector, GS-1816; Canine Enforcement Officer, GS-1801; or CBP Officer, GS-1895. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/20/2026 The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment off