INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, El Centro Sector, Sector Intelligence Unit, located in Imperial, CA. Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

As an Intelligence Research Specialist, you will provide the CBP Intelligence Enterprise and operational stakeholders with intelligence products that inform and enhance their ability to make strategic, operational, and tactical decisions in support of CBP operations directed at threats to border security. This position starts at a salary of $87,061.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $113,185.00 (GS-11, Step 10) with promotion potential to $161,313 (GS-13 Step 10). Typical duties of this assignment include: Advising, administering, and performing analysis, evaluation, interpretation and dissemination of information and intelligence pertaining to the following areas: counter terrorism, counter narcotics, counter human smuggling or trafficking, counter proliferation, cyber or financial crime interdiction, trade enforcement, counterintelligence, or other emerging border security issues and threats. Researching, evaluating, integrating, and analyzing all-source data in the preparation of clear, concise, in-depth intelligence analytical products focusing on the threats and all relevant information related to agency operations. Compiling, collating, extrapolating, and exploiting information from internal databases, classified and unclassified, open-source reporting, intelligence enterprise and law enforcement systems and databases, in support of CBP border security operations. Preparing a variety of speculative intelligence products based on analysis and evaluation of current intelligence information received from multiple sources. Serving in liaison, joint duty, and other rotational assignments to facilitate sharing and transfer of information and best practices to further the mission of the agency and its partners. GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Gathering, evaluating, analyzing, and abstracting intelligence data from multiple or specific sources. Contributing to short and long term planning through in-depth research and analysis regarding threats to border security. Compiling, collating, extrapolating, and exploiting both unclassified and classified sources of information and reporting. Engaging in research and analysis to develop and publish finished tactical, operational, and strategic level intelligence products. 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. Education Substitution: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M. degree may substitute for experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. More information on this qualification standard is located here. 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. 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 10/01/2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for 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 of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five 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: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligi