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1 Page 1 of 9 Job Title: CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICER Department: Department Of Homeland Security Agency: Customs and Border Protection Job Announcement Number: CBPO 15-2 VRA SALARY RANGE: $31, to $39, / Per Year OPEN PERIOD: Monday, April 20, 2015 to Sunday, April 26, 2015 SERIES & GRADE: GS /07 POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time - Permanent PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 12 DUTY LOCATIONS: Many vacancies in the following location(s): Douglas, AZ Nogales, AZ San Luis, AZ Calexico, CA San Ysidro, CA More Locations (8) WHO MAY APPLY: This announcement is for VRA eligible applicants only SECURITY CLEARANCE: Public Trust - Background Investigation SUPERVISORY STATUS: No JOB SUMMARY: Positions will be filled within the following Ports: Queens, NY (JFK Airport); Newark, NJ; Detroit, MI; Eagle Pass, El Paso, Hidalgo, Laredo and Pharr, TX; Calexico and San Ysidro, CA; Douglas, Nogales and San Luis, AZ Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. CBP employees protect our Nation's borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade. The CBP Officer position starts at a salary of $31,944 (GS-5 grade level), with promotion potential to $70,192 (GS-12 grade level). Apply to this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's and our partners' ability to perform their homeland security functions by doing the following: Detect and prevent terrorist and terrorist weapons from entering the United States Enforce customs, immigration and agricultural laws and regulations at U.S. ports of entry Prevent the illegal trafficking of people, narcotics and contraband into the United States Follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on

2 Page 2 of 9 The video: Securing America s Ports of Entry emphasizes the importance of CBP Field Operations' frontline role in helping CBP accomplish its mission. For more information on CBP s mission, activities, and careers, please visit our website at CBP encourages women, minorities, and veterans to apply for an exciting career with Customs and Border Protection. Female CBP Officers are in high demand for the processing female travelers that are detained, interrogated and/or deported. Therefore, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management has granted CBP an exception to Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 332, Section which authorizes the targeted recruitment of female officers in locations experiencing a critical need. This announcement is for VRA eligible applicants ONLY. An announcement open to all US Citizens; CBPO 15-3 will open April 27, View common definitions of terms found in this announcement TRAVEL REQUIRED Not Required RELOCATION AUTHORIZED No KEY REQUIREMENTS You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position Referred for selection prior to your 37th birthday (waiver for veterans) You must have resided in the U.S. for the last 3 years You must successfully pass a polygraph examination You must successfully pass a background investigation Convictions of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualifying You will be required to carry a firearm and have a valid driver's license You will be required to work regular and recurring shift work You must meet job-related medical, fitness and drug-testing standards DUTIES: Being a Customs and Border Protection Officer makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments 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; and Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited good and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband.

3 Page 3 of 9 QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: This announcement is open to VRA eligible only. The following veterans are eligible for a VRA appointment: a) A veteran who is in receipt of a campaign badge for service during a war or in a campaign or expedition; or b) A veteran who is disabled; or c) A veteran who is in receipt of an Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in a military operation; or d) A veteran who was recently separated (recently separated veterans are defined as those who have separated from active service within the last three years.) In addition to meeting the criteria above, eligible veterans must have been separated under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge). You qualify for the GS-5 grade level (starting salary $31,944) if you possess one of the following: a. Three years of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to meet and deal with people and the ability to learn and apply a body of facts; or b. A bachelor s degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or c. A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. You qualify for the GS-7 grade level (starting salary $39,570) if you possess one of the following: a. One year of specialized work experience that entails performance of substantive 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 b. A bachelor s degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Go to Superior Academic Achievement to see if you qualify under this provision; or c. One full year of graduate level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, corrections and rehabilitation) at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or d. A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience) 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. Qualifications: The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the close date of this announcement. Firearm Proficiency: Firearm proficiency is required for all CBP Officers and is part of the training provided at the academy. Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement will be required to serve a probationary period in accordance with 5 CFR 315 and may be required to accept a change to lower grade, which may reduce their salary based on Federal pay regulations. Note: If you are a current GS-12 step 1, your salary will be reduced to a GS-7 step 10, which equates to an approximate $18,000 salary reduction

4 Page 4 of 9 (based on locality). Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency and will be subject to a probationary period. Probationary Period: VRA appointed applicants are required to serve a two year probationary period. Formal Training: New CBP Officers will complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately 30 days at their home port prior to attending the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for approximately weeks at Brunswick, GA. Candidates selected for duty locations where they are required to be proficient in reading, writing and speaking Spanish will be required to either pass a Spanish language proficiency examination or attend a 6-week long Spanish immersion class at FLETC. For more information on training at FLETC please visit the website at: Uniforms: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform while in a duty status. CBP Officers received a uniform allowance to offset the cost of purchasing the required CBP Officer uniform. Shift Work: This position requires regular and recurring shift work. You must be will and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations. HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED: You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and responses to the job questionnaire. If you meet the qualifications, you must take and pass the CBP Officer Entrance Exam (external assessment). You will receive an invitation to schedule a date/time/place to complete the examination. The examination contains the following (3) assessments: Reasoning Skills, Writing Skills, and the CBP Experience Record. To be eligible, applicants must pass the examination with a score of at least 70. Proper test preparation is essential. We strongly encourage you to review the study guide available: After reading the study guide, you should take the CBP Officer Pre-test (sample entrance examination). The pretest will give you a preview of the types of items/questions you can expect to see on the actual entrance examination, and will help you determine if you are interested in applying for the CBP Officer position. The pre-test can be found at: Pass or fail there is a one year testing restriction from the date of your last entrance examination. Test scores prior to June 2014 are not longer valid. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the entrance examination are only provided on a case-by-case basis to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, both as amended. If you believe you have a physical or mental disability that would interfere with completing the entrance exam, you must (1) indicate your request for a reasonable accommodation in the online questionnaire associated with this announcement, and (2) complete the necessary request form before the last day of the job opening. You are required to submit proper documentation supporting your reasonable accommodation request. For more information: If approved, you

5 Page 5 of 9 will be allowed to test with an accommodation. If not approved, you will not be allowed to test. You will need to reapply. If you pass the entrance examination, you will be placed in one of the following categories for referral and consideration: Best Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications. Very Highly Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a very considerable extent, the minimum qualifications. Highly Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds, to a considerable extent, the minimum qualifications. Well Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that marginally exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who demonstrate average proficiency in most of the critical competencies. Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that meets the minimum qualifications. Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on grade levels. Veterans with 5-point preference or 10-point non-compensable preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible within the category in which they qualify. BENEFITS: DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Employee Benefits." OTHER INFORMATION: Polygraph Examination: The CBP Officer position is a polygraph-required position. You must take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see: Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) as a condition of placement into this position. This may include but is not limited to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) name and fingerprint check, review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Please see: Age Requirement: You must be referred for consideration before reaching your 37th birthday in accordance with Public Law The age restriction does not apply if you are a veterans' preference eligible. If you are serving or have served in a federal civilian law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) you may have sufficient service to meet the requirement. There are no other exceptions to Public Law Residency Requirement: If you are not a current CBP employee you must meet one or more of the following primary residency criteria for the last three years prior to applying to this announcement up through entering on duty: 1. Resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations); or 2. Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or 3. Been a dependent of a US federal or military employee serving overseas.

6 Page 6 of 9 Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located; the state-side address of the professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program; the church records for the applicant's overseas church missions; and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence: The CBP Officer position is a weapons-carrying position. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Therefore, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you are not qualified for this position. Drug Testing: You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment for this position. Once employed, CBP Officers are subject to random and unannounced drug testing. Medical Examination: You must undergo and successfully pass the medical screening process. Physical Fitness Screening: You will be required to pass two physical fitness tests. Please see: Interview Process: You will be required to pass a video-based test (VBT) and may be required to take and pass a face-to-face structured interview (SI). Driver's License: You must possess a valid driver's license at the time you enter on duty. HOW TO APPLY: In order to begin your application, you will need an active USA Jobs account. To begin your online application, click the "Apply Online" to create a USA Jobs account and follow the prompts or sign into, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or . The address posted below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, application questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 pm Eastern Time Sunday, April 26, We recommend that you apply as soon as possible in order to receive consideration as this announcement will close on Sunday, April 26, :59 pm Eastern Time.

7 Page 7 of 9 Duty Locations: The Office of Field Operations is focusing efforts at specific duty locations to meet mission needs and ensure a well-rounded experience for new officers. Therefore, you may select one of the following ports: Queens, NY (JFK Airport); Newark, NJ; Detroit, MI; Eagle Pass, El Paso, Hidalgo, Laredo and Pharr, TX; Calexico and San Ysidro, CA; Douglas, Nogales and San Luis, AZ. You may not change your location once the announcement has closed. Relocations expenses will not be paid. To compare the cost of living data, calculate mortgage scenarios or gather information on communities and schools, visit: Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligible: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM s Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the highly qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Resume: A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, a detailed description of your duties and the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), as well as your work schedule and hours worked per week.

8 Page 8 of 9 Assessment Questionnaire: You must submit your responses for the job questionnaire online. Transcripts: Required if basing any part of your qualifications on education and must be in English from an accredited institution. Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended are required. Veterans' Preference: If you claim veterans' preference you will be required to submit proof of eligibility (DD 214, Member-4 copy, Certificate of Release or Discharge). Those applying for 10-Point preference must submit documentation that demonstrates preference eligibility. Please see the documentation as listed on the SF-15. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans information. Age Requirement Documents: If you are over the age of 37 you will need to submit proof you are eligible for the position of CBP Officer. If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service; you must submit copies of your SF-50s reflecting the beginning and end of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20), and Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Block 30 of your SF-50 should show Retirement Code M or O. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement. If you are claiming an age waiver based on veterans' preference, submit the required Veterans' Preference documents. Ensure that you enter your creditable service dates in the Job Related Experience field on the Questionnaire. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit: a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location It is your responsibility to verify that information entered, or supporting documents that are uploaded or faxed are received and are accurate. Documents must be uploaded as the correct document type or they will not be considered. Example: Resume must be submitted as a Resume. CBP will not modify, change, or contact you regarding the completeness or accuracy of your application. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in Application Manager and you must submit it again by the closing date.

9 Page 9 of 9 AGENCY CONTACT INFO: CBP Officer MHC OFO DEU Phone: (952) x2 CBPHIRINGDEUCBPO@CBP.DHS.GOV Agency Information: CBP Entry Level OFO OBP 5600 American Blvd Bloomington, MN WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT: Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training. If you meet the qualifications for this position, you will receive an from address USAHire_support@panpowered.com to schedule the CBP Officer Entrance Examination (Place/date/time). Please be sure to check your , spam, and junk folders daily. Testing will be available June 8 - June 20, The examination may take up to five (5) hours to complete. Approximately 30 days after you pass the examination you will be considered for future openings in "category order" in accordance with veterans' preference regulations. As referrals are made in the geographic region you select and your category is reached, you will be referred for consideration to start the preemployment process. There is no guarantee of selection. Your status will be updated on throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." If you are already in the pre-employment process for a CBP Officer position and you reapply under this announcement and are subsequently referred for a position, your new referral will replace any existing CBP Officer referral regardless of preference region for which you are currently in process, and may delay your preemployment processes. 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. All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations to apply to this announcement must be received before the Job Opportunity Announcement closes to be considered for this job opening. Decisions on Reasonable Accommodations requests are made on a case-by-case basis. View more information on applying for federal employment. Additional Duty Location Info Many vacancies in the following locations: Douglas, AZ Nogales, AZ San Luis, AZ Calexico, CA San Ysidro, CA Detroit, MI Newark, NJ Queens, NY Eagle Pass, TX El Paso, TX Hidalgo, TX Laredo, TX Pharr, TX Control Number: Close Print Back to top