Supervisory Import Specialist (CDI)

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Office of Training and Development, Trade and Cargo Academy, located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Duties

This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $138.370.00 (GS-13 Step 10). In this Supervisory Import Specialist (CDI) position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals. Typical work assignments include: Designing, developing, reviewing, researching, revising, evaluating, and conducting basic, advanced or continuing education training programs to meet CBP training objectives. Providing training on the provisions of laws, regulations, procedures, practices, and documentation that relate to CBP processes for customs law related to examination, admissibility, entry, classification, appraisement of imported merchandise; assessment of duty; enforcement of trade preference programs; processing and liquidation of entries; and related Trade functions. Supervising assigned trainees and coordinating all aspects of training delivery for assigned session/class. Establishing guidelines and performance expectations for staff members and providing advice and counsel related to work and administrative matters. Reviewing emerging and changing subject matter to ensure timely assimilation of new information into course curricula to modify the courses to align them with current enforcement and facilitation trends, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience requires: Knowledge of the provisions of laws, regulations, procedures, practices, and documentation related to customs processes for entry and examination of imports; Knowledge of the provisions of Federal laws and regulations on prohibited and restricted items and requirements for admittance into the United States and into commerce; and Knowledge of the Tariff Schedules of the United States, and understanding of the basic principles, factors, and terms used in the determination of tariff classification and value. Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in work such as: Tariff classification and appraisement. Merchandise examining, e.g., while employed as a customs inspector. Attorney or paralegal specialist assigned to tariff classification and value cases. You qualify for this position if you meet the Individual Occupational Requirements listed above and possess the specialized experience, as described below: 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: Reviewing Federal laws and regulations, procedures, practices, and documentation requirements for admittance into the US and into commerce that are related to customs processes for entry and examination of imports that are prohibited and restricted. Planning, conducting, and controlling the review, analysis, and processing of formal entries and US Tariff schedules, classification and appraisement pertaining to assigned lines of merchandise and established priorities for different types of entries used in the determination of tariff classification and value. Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and documentation that govern the importation of merchandise related to customs processes for entry and examination of imports. Evaluating information on industry trends needed and developing strategic plans for the assigned Center and providing recommendations when necessary. 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. 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 10/22/2026. 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 Polygraph Examination: CBP has the authority to conduct a polygraph for the Supervisory Import Specialist (CDI) position, however, at this time a polygraph is not a pre-employment requirement. If CBP decides to implement the polygraph as a pre-employment requirement while you are in the hiring process, CBP will notify you and provide additional information. Polygraph Examination: The Supervisory Import Specialist (CDI) position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment 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. 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 vol