CBP Officer (SRT), Not-to-Exceed

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Commissioner, Washington, DC.

Major duties

Temporary/ Rotational Assignment: To meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a temporary basis not-to-exceed (NTE) one (1) year, with possible extensions for an additional four (4) years in one (1) year increments. You may be returned, at any time, to the position from which temporarily promoted, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay. If you are currently at the grade level of the position announced, this action will result in a reassignment, and you may be returned at any time to a same or similar position held prior to this temporary assignment. If you currently hold a grade level higher than the grade being announced, this action will result in a change to lower grade, and you may be returned at any time to the position held prior to this temporary assignment or to the same or similar position at the lower grade level. Relocation Authorized Position: Relocation expenses will be paid in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation limits and agency policy. This position starts at a salary of $125,158.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $162,708.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $ 162,708GS-13Step 10). Typical Duties include: Provides CBP enforcement and tactical operations support to Office of the Commissioner leadership on CBP operations, initiatives, and critical border security issues. Plans, coordinates, and supports complex border enforcement and interdiction operations, including activities related to surveillance, illegal entry, smuggling routes, and emerging border security threats. Conduct operational assessments, route reconnaissance, and threat analysis to identify risks, vulnerabilities, and operational gaps in border environments and recommends appropriate courses of action. Supports protective security operations for the Commissioner during official travel, site visits, and engagements, particularly in high-risk border environments. Maintains operational readiness and supports border safety initiatives, including emergency response, search and rescue, tactical training, firearms proficiency, and specialized equipment readiness.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Provides CBP Officer and Special Response Team (SRT) advisory support to Office of the Commissioner leadership on inspection, enforcement, protective operations, and special operations issues. Plans, coordinates, and supports protective security operations for the Commissioner and designated senior leadership during official travel, site visits, meetings, and public engagements. Conducts advance security assessments, route reconnaissance, threat analysis, and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate risks related to protective movements and operational activities. Integrates CBP inspection and enforcement authorities into protective and special operations, including screening, secondary examination, access control, enforcement, and contraband interdiction measures. Maintains operational readiness and supports enforcement activities by preparing reports, coordinating evidence handling, identifying training needs, and monitoring inspection, protective, and tactical equipment. 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. 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. Mandatory Prerequisite for Administrative Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Covered Requirement: This position has been identified as Administrative, that is, an executive, managerial, technical, semiprofessional, or professional position for which experience in a primary/rigorous law enforcement or firefighting position, or equivalent experience outside of the Federal government is a mandatory prerequisite, as defined by 5 C.F.R. § 831.902 (CSRS) and 5 C.F.R. § 8.802 (FERS). Note: if you currently serve in a permanent Secondary LEO Retirement covered position, you are exempt from this mandatory prerequisite. 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 10/13/2026 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 (SRT) Not-to-Exceed 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. Probationary Period: Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. 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.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Requirements

• 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
• You must have taken the required CBP Officer Promotional Assessment component and have a passing Total Score
• 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.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
• 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.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.