CBP Officer

Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, in various locations across the United States. Learn more about this agency Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, in various locations across the United States. Learn more about this agency Overview Help Accepting applications Open & closing dates 04/13/2026 to 04/17/2026 Salary $91,985 - $119,583 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12 Locations 2 vacancies in the following locations: Lukeville, AZ Nogales, AZ Calexico, CA Otay, CA Show morefewer locations (26) San Ysidro, CA Tecate, CA Calais, ME Coburn Gore, ME Eastport, ME Houlton, ME Madawaska, ME Van Buren, ME Vanceboro, ME Grand Portage, MN International Falls, MN Raymond, MT Sweet Grass, MT Dunseith, ND Pembina, ND Portal, ND Champlain, NY Massena, NY Trout River, NY Beecher Falls, VT Derby Line, VT Highgate Springs, VT Norton, VT Richford, VT Blaine, WA Oroville, WA Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-time Service Competitive Promotion potential 12 Job family (Series) * 1895 Customs And Border Protection Supervisory status No Security clearance Not Required Drug test Yes Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status Yes Announcement number OFO-SMP(ICTAP)-12930511-DLC Control number 864508700 This job is open to Help Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants. Land and base management Current or former employees of a base management agency. Veterans Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference Military spouses Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty. Clarification from the agency Displaced Federal employees requesting special priority selection consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP); Reemployment Priority List (RPL); Individuals who are eligible under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Certain Military Spouses, and current and former Land Management employees who meet the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act within the local commuting area. Duties Help Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring for law enforcement jobs that have an exciting opportunity! Once onboarded, you'll first be assigned for up to one year to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The law enforcement component of the D.C. Task Force is a partnership of over 20 federal and local agencies working together to make D.C. the safest city in America. Once the assignment ends, you'll transition back to support the CBP. Visit the D.C. Task Force page for more information. This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), at various ports of entry to include land border ports, airports, and seaports within the United States, its territories, and possessions. The primary purpose of this position is to perform inspections and enforcement of persons, merchandise, and conveyances at ports of entry in the United States to not only ensure the legal entry of persons, merchandise, and conveyances, but also to prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States. CBPOs whose initial assignment will be to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miami, or the land border ports of entry in the Laredo, El Paso, Tucson, and San Diego Field Offices will be required to demonstrate Spanish language proficiency or pass a Spanish language training program after entering on duty. Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen Homeland Security by performing law enforcement activities such as inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and interpretation of laws and regulations. This position starts at a salary of $91,985.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $119,583.00 (GS-12, Step 10) Major duties for this position include: * Performing inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and law enforcement activities including apprehension, detention and arrest relative to arrival and departure of persons, conveyances and merchandise at Ports of Entry (POE). * Conducting developmental level officer duties to protect the U.S. homeland, enforce federal laws, and efficiently facilitate legitimate trade and travel. * Developing, planning and participating in tactical operations. * Interacting with carriers, other agencies and foreign entities to exchange information and provide guidance on admissibility/compliance. 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 Requirements Help Conditions of employment * You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position * Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service * Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) * All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English * You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph * CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures * As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. * Firearm Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child. * DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Qualifications Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 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. Primary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a primary 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)). 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. 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 04/17/2026. 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: The CBP Officer 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. If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards: Physical/Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website. Physical Fitness Test: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please view both Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test and Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program, a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test. Age Requirement: Pursuant to Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers which allows for the imposition of a maximum age requirement. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03, the day before an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a Customs and Border Protection Officer. NOTE: The Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age for original placement into a CBPO position, therefore candidates must enter their original appointment before reaching their 40th birthday. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03, unless the below criteria applies, you must meet this age requirement by the date of referral to the hiring manager. Creditable law enforcement officer service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336 or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) as a Customs and Border Protection Officer on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336 or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d). 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. Veterans' Preference Eligibility: To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its recent decision of Isabella v. Dept. of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 3312. You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application. Education Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete 101-days of paid training at the CBP Field Operations Academy (FOA) in Glynco, GA. Prior to arriving at the FOA, selectee's must complete approximately 7-10 days of pre-academy training. Upon successful completion of FOA training, selectee's must complete an additional 14-17 weeks of post-academy training the selectee(s) assigned duty station. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures. Additional information Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU. 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. Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required. Rotation of Assignments/Duty Locations: You may be required to rotate assignments and duty locations. Uniform: This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status. Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices, aircraft operation areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities. The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respirators. Shift work: You may be required to perform work on a shift and rotational basis. Overtime: You must be readily available to work overtime on a scheduled or unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See "THIS JOB IS OPEN TO" section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand what documentation would be required with your application, please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement. * Veterans * Military spouses Effective until December 31, 2028, any spouse of a member on active duty may be eligible * Individuals with Disabilities The proof of disability documentation must specify that you are eligible to apply using Schedule A. It does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history or need for accommodation. For more information visit this link. * Peace Corps and VISTA * Land Management Hiring Flexibility Act: The following documents are required at the time of application: SF-50s to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements and the most recent performance rating signed by your supervisor or a statement from your supervisor documenting acceptable performance. * Other miscellaneous hiring authorities Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations. Expand Hide additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an assessment questionnaire. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. Required documents Required Documents Help * Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, phone number, relevant work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. *Note- It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords. Note: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. * Your responses to the job questionnaire: * Are you a current or former federal employee? ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status: Tenure 1 or 2 in Block 24 and Position Occupied 1 in Block 34. Additionally, you should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher, AND an SF-50 to support having met the time-in-grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the grade level (or equivalent) below the grade level(s) for this position. * Current CBP Employees are encouraged to submit an SF-50(s) for CBP experience; however, additional SF-50(s) are required when using federal experience outside of CBP to receive credit towards the requirements above. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases, and accessions. * Retired former federal employees must submit your retirement SF-50 and encouraged to submit your most recent annuity statement. * Are you a former federal employee, and have been separated from federal service for over 52 weeks? To be considered non-competitively, a recent rating of record (performance appraisal) from your most recent career or career-conditional position of at least fully successful (or equivalent) is required to be submitted with your application. If you were not issued a rating of record, a letter from your most recent career or career-conditional position Supervisor stating you were fully successful will be accepted. For more information, review the OPM Hiring Information. * Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), or the Reemployment Priority List (RPL)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your recent performance rating; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456; or RPL registration documentation. * Special Appointing Authority: See "Additional Information" section to determine what documentation you need to submit as proof of eligibility for a Special Appointing Authority. * Are you a veteran? If you are applying under a veteran appointing authority, you must submit documentation to support eligibility such as a DD-214 listing the character of service and either qualifying medal(s) or service period, a VA Disability Award letter dated 1991 or later, and/or supporting documentation as listed on the Standard Form 15. If you are currently serving on active duty, you must submit a written statement from the armed forces certifying your dates of service, your rank, expected character of service and anticipated date of separation. If you apply with a written statement at this stage, your preference will be verified by a DD-214 upon separation from the military. To learn more click here. * Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your initial and termination SF-50s. * You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards. Additionally, if you are a former federal employee, and have been separated from Federal service for over 52 weeks, it is recommended that you submit your most recent rating of record (performance appraisal) when applying.

Apply Now