Customs and Border Protection Officer (VRA)

The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of this announcement. It is your responsibility to verify that any information submitted with your application is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: A minimum of 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, performing duties that required the ability to meet and deal with people and the ability to learn and be able to apply a body of facts; OR Education Substitution: Successful completion of at least a 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university; OR >>> Will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor’s degree within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement. I will upload all official or unofficial transcripts that indicate I am on track to graduate within 9 months; OR Combining Experience and Education: A combination of general experience AND successfully completed college education will be calculated using your resume and college transcripts submitted with your application. To combine, convert each to a percent, then add the percentages; the total must equal at least 100%. If your education is in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by 2/3. To calculate your percent of education, divide your semester hours by 120 hours. To calculate your percent of qualifying experience, divide your months of qualifying experience by 36 months. More information on the qualification standard is located here. You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: A minimum of 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, that includes performing 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: Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours; OR >>> Will complete one year of full-time graduate education within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement. I will upload all official or unofficial transcripts that indicate I am on track to complete one year of graduate education within 9 months; OR A Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits. Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision. Please see www.opm.gov for additional information; OR >>> Will receive a Bachelor’s degree with SAA within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement. I will upload all official or unofficial transcripts that indicate I am on track to graduate within 9 months; OR Combining Experience and Education: A combination of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level AND successfully completed graduate level education; this will be calculated using your resume and college transcripts submitted with your application. To combine, convert each to a percent, then add the percentages; the total must equal at least 100%. If your education is in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by 2/3. To calculate your percent of graduate education, divide your semester hours by 18 hours. To calculate your percent of qualifying experience, divide your months of qualifying experience by 12 months. More information on the qualification standard is located here. Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under enhanced retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Customs and Border Protection Officer position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-08. 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). The age restriction does not apply if you are a Veterans’ preference eligible. For more information on Veterans’ Preference eligibility please see the OPM Veterans’ Guide. 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. Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency. National Service 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. Experience as a CBP Explorer may be qualifying if your resume provides sufficient information to credit your experience. To receive full credit for your experience please be sure to describe your duties, roles and responsibilities in detail. Political Appointees: 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.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.