Job Description

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO).

Agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Department: Department of Homeland Security.

Overview:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in a career in federal law enforcement. CBPOs are part of an elite team of highly trained professionals who work with pride, purpose, and dedication to protect America’s borders, safeguard national interests, and facilitate lawful trade and travel.

Key Responsibilities:

As a CBPO, you will be a member of a 60,000+ workforce committed to protecting the American people by:

• Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture laws and regulations.
• Facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
• Conducting inspections of individuals, cargo, and conveyances.
• Determining admissibility of individuals entering the United States.
• Preventing illegal entry of individuals, prohibited goods, and contraband (including narcotics and other illegal substances).

Duty Locations:

Mission-critical locations include (incentives available for select areas):

• Arizona: Nogales, San Luis.
• California: Calexico, Los Angeles, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, Tecate.
• Florida: Miami, Orlando, Key West.
• Other States & Territories: Atlanta, GA; Hagatna, Guam; Honolulu, HI; Chicago, IL; multiple locations in ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NY, PA, PR, TX, U.S. Virgin Islands, VT, WA, and more.

Note: Location availability is based on operational and mission requirements. Preferences will be considered, but cannot be guaranteed.

Salary & Benefits:

Annual Base Salary:

• GS-5 & GS-7: $40,332 – $109,952 per year (varies by locality pay).
• Eligible for up to $45,000 annually in overtime pay in addition to base salary.

Career Ladder Progression: GS-5 → GS-7 → GS-9 → GS-11 → GS-12 (promotions eligible after 52 weeks at each grade level).

Benefits Include:

• Paid orientation and training.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Federal retirement programs, including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with Roth and traditional 401(k)-style options.
• Generous annual and sick leave.

Recruitment Incentives:

• 25% Additional Pay (3–4 years): Select locations in CA, FL, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, VT, WA.
• 15% Additional Pay (3 years): Honolulu, HI; Portal, ND; Derby Line and Richford, VT; Blaine, WA.
• 10% Additional Pay (3 years): Calexico, CA.

Qualifications:

GS-5 Level:

• Experience: 3 years of full-time general work experience demonstrating ability to interact with people and apply learned facts.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field; OR
• Combination: Relevant education and work experience.

GS-7 Level:

• Experience: 1 year of specialized experience involving inspections, applying laws/regulations, and making compliance determinations; OR
• Education: Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement or 1 year of graduate-level study; OR
• Combination: Equivalent education and experience.

GS-9 Level:

• Prior/current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience may qualify. Refer to GS-9 CBPO announcements on USAJOBS for details.

Additional Requirements:

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Must be referred before age 40 (exceptions apply for certain law enforcement and veteran applicants).
• Veterans’ Preference: May qualify under Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).
• Training: Completion of paid pre-academy orientation and a 101-day CBP Field Operations Academy program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA. Some locations require successful completion of an online Spanish language program.

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