Customs and Border Protection Officer at U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those interested in a career in law enforcement an opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission to protect America.

If you are looking for a rewarding career with great pay, exceptional federal benefits and job stability, now is the time to make your move.

As a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a CBP Officer makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

Typical activities include:

• Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture law and regulations.
• Facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
• Conducting inspections of individuals and conveyances.
• Determining the admissibility of individuals for entry into the United States.
• Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband.

Duty Locations – Incentives available for some locations

You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission-critical locations: Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Jackman, ME; Grand Portage, MN; Dunseith and Pembina, ND; Raymond, MT; Oroville, WA.

The preference locations listed above are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States. Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs for entry level CBP Officers as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations.

Salary and Benefits – and Location Incentives

Salary for newly appointed GL-5 and GL-7 grade level CBP Officers varies from $39,576–$108,733 per year. A fully trained CBP Officer is eligible for up to $45,000 in overtime pay in addition to the starting salary. These positions will be filled at the entry level grade of GS-5 or GS-7, and grade level eligibility and salaries vary depending upon background, including experience and education, and duty location of the opportunity.

This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level. Promotions are at the discretion of the agency.

All agents receive the full package of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to traditional and ROTH 401(k) plans offered elsewhere.

*** LOCATION INCENTIVES: If you accept one of the duty locations listed below, you may be eligible to receive an additional 15%-25% of your salary each year for the first three (3) years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. If you accept the duty location of San Francisco, you may be eligible to receive an additional 25% of your salary each year for the first four (4) years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. These incentives only apply to new federal employees and are dependent upon the availability of funds.

Duty locations offering 25% recruitment incentives: Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, and San Ysidro, CA; Dunseith and Pembina, ND

Duty locations offering 15% recruitment incentives: Portal, ND

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years full-time general work experience that demonstrates the ability to meet and deal with people and the ability to learn and be able to apply what you have learned; OR

Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four (4)-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within nine (9) months from the closing date of this announcement and will upload all official or unofficial transcripts before the closing date of this announcement; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of successfully completed college education AND general work experience. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial college transcripts submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess one of the following:

Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of specialized full-time work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that entails performance of duties in inspections work at borders, seaports, airports, or other ports of entry and/or work involving preliminary screening of persons for entry and immigration status, or compliance/regulatory work; OR

Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (3.0 or higher), or (3) honor society membership; OR one (1) full year of graduate level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, corrections and rehabilitation, justice studies, homeland security, forensic technology and forensic psychology) from an accredited college or university; OR will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement or one (1) full year of graduate level in a field of study related to law enforcement (listed above) from an accredited college or university within nine (9) months from the closing date of this announcement; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized work experience equivalent to the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, corrections and rehabilitation, justice studies, homeland security, forensic technology, and forensic psychology) from an accredited college or university. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GS-9 grade level.

Other Requirements

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

Age Restriction: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans’ Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.

Formal Training: You will be required to complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately two (2) weeks at your home port. You will then attend a 101-day training program–CBP Field Operations Academy–conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Glynco, GA. This training consists of basic law enforcement skills, immigration laws, firearms training, examination of cargo/bags/merchandise, physical fitness, etc. Candidates assigned to the southern border, Miami or Puerto Rico duty locations must attend and pass an online Spanish training program which will be completed at their home port. Successful completion of the Academy is required for this position.

How to Apply

Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network page. For Position of Interest select Customs and Border Protection Officer.

You will then be provided with a link to the GS 5-7 position on USAJOBS, the Federal Government’s official employment site to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opening announcement and follow all instructions in the application process, including items (resume, transcripts, etc.) to submit. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents and the CBP Officer Entrance Examination.

If you have questions about the application process, contact a recruiter through the Office of Field Operations careers page: careers.cbp.gov/s/ofo.

Interested in other career opportunities with CBP? Visit careers.cbp.gov and check the CBP calendar at cbp.gov/cbp-events-calendar frequently for upcoming informational webinars, in-person recruiter events, and virtual career events.