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Marine Interdiction Agent

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
Air and Marine Operations
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As our nation navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP is committed to delivering our mission to safeguard America's borders and enable legitimate trade and travel. Staffing mission critical positions remains a high priority. Be reassured that CBP is still hiring, despite potential hiring process step delays due to restrictions to in-person activities.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/16/2020 to 05/15/2020
Salary
$54,668 to - $70,541 per year
Pay scale & grade
GL 9
Locations
20 vacancies in the following locations:
Long Beach, CA
San Diego, CA
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Myers, FL
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses will be paid in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation limits and agency policy for Puerto Rico locations. Applicants applying to the Caribbean and Puerto Rico "CAMB" locations need to be aware of the Federal Travel Regulation GSA Bulletin FTR 18-05. More information can be found under "Additional Information". This notice may be used to fill any vacancy throughout the Southern Border (SB) & CAMB Duty Locations.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
MIA 20-1 DH 10785455
Control number
565680100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. This announcement will be utilized to fill positions through the Direct Hire Authority.

Duties

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Serve as a Marine Interdiction Agent (MIA) performing Marine Law Enforcement operations for the detection, prevention, interdiction, and apprehension of terrorists, terrorist weapons, and other contraband and persons from illegally entering or attacking the United States.

Your duties will include:
  • Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
  • Interpreting radar data to calculate appropriate intercept while tracking vessels and people to a successful interdiction.
  • Searching persons, vessels, baggage, and cargo for contraband or weapons incidental to detention or arrest.
  • Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence.
Start as an MIA in May 2020 as a GL-9 Step 1 (RUS pay $54,668) - (RUS + 25% LEAP $66,455) - (RUS + LEAP + RI $78,242) per year*
Promote in May 2021 to a GS-11 Step 1 (RUS pay $64,009) - (RUS + 25% LEAP $77,810) - (RUS + LEAP + RI $91,611) per year*
Promote in May 2022 to GS-12 Step 1 (RUS pay $76,721) - (RUS + 25% LEAP $93,263) - (RUS + LEAP + RI $109,805) per year*

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations located in:
Southwest Region: San Diego, and Long Beach, CA; Brownsville, Port Aransas and Galveston, TX.
Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB): Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce, and San Juan, PR; St. Thomas, USVI.
Southeast Region: Fort Pierce, Jacksonville, Panama City, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Key Largo, Key West, Marathon, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Myers, FL.

In-order to meet agency mission-critical needs, your final duty location offer may include one of the duty locations within the Southeast, Southwest or CAMB. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-9, GS-11 & 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 (with supervisor approval).

*Please note this example includes a range of minimum locality pay table for Rest of the United States (RUS) up to maximum potential salary with Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and the Recruitment Incentive (RI) for CAMB locations. Pay rates are based on the 2020 Rest of the United States pay table and does not take into consideration higher locality pay, possible over time, or where applicable or yearly cost of living increases.

LEAP: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (25%)
RI: Retention Incentive (10%) or Recruitment Incentive (25% for CAMB Only)
GL and GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States Pay Table.

Tax Law Impact: Federal Travel Regulation GSA Bulletin FTR 18-05 - On December 22, 2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective January 1, 2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. The law made certain reimbursements and other payments taxable, including, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of household goods and shipment of household goods. For more information please see Federal Travel Regulation GSA Bulletin FTR 18-05

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Qualifying Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC)
  • 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)
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify at the GL-9 grade level (starting salary $66,455 with RUS and LEAP or $78,242 with RUS, LEAP and RI) if you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Enforcing laws, effecting arrests and conducting interviews and interrogations with witnesses and suspects
  • Performing surveillance, writing reports detailing activities and observations
  • Collecting and securing evidence and providing expert testimony in court
OR

Education: A master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of graduate education in a qualifying progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a J.D. or LL.B., in a qualifying field (e.g., criminal justice, intelligence, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, and corrections and rehabilitation);

OR

Combining Experience and Education: A combination of successfully completed post-bachelors education(above) and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. If education is used for your qualification, official transcript will be required upon selection.

AND

U.S. Coast Guard Issued Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC): You must submit a valid, legible copy of your Merchant Mariner Credential at time of application. Your copies must include the expiration and capacity pages of your MMC.
Qualifying Capacities: OUPV, Master or Deck's Mate showing the, expiration date and capacity pages of the license.

Don't have a MMC? See what it takes to get one.
Master MMC: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_02_web.pdf
2nd Mate MMC: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_04_web.pdf
OUPV MMC: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_31_web.pdf

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 05/15/2020.

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 more information visit this link.

Polygraph Examination: The Marine Interdiction Agent 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.

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 wavier 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
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.

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. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found here.You must submit the supporting documents listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. In addition, to be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must have knowledge, skills , abilities and/or competencies as defined under "How You Will Be Evaluated" section of this announcement which clearly exceed the minimum qualification and any applicable basic requirements for the vacancy.

Education

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

Additional information

Fitness/Medical Standards: You must be able to meet job-related medical and fitness standards.

Security Clearance: You may be required to obtain a Secret or higher level clearance for this position.

Firearm Proficiency: Firearm proficiency is required for Marine Interdiction Agents and is part of the training provided.

Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a valid state driver's license at the time of appointment.

Trainees are required to complete a 15-week Air and Marine Basic Training Program (AMBTP) at the Air and Marine Operations Academy (AMOA), at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. Requirements include: a 1.5 mile run/walk within 16 minutes and 30 seconds or less; 24 push-ups within one minute or less; 220 yard sprint in 60 seconds or less. Candidates must successfully exit a simulated downed aircraft in the water while wearing blacked out goggles, followed by self-rescue into a life raft. You will be provided training in arrest techniques, investigative skills, survival skills, defensive tactics, criminal law, customs law, immigration law, law enforcement driving, and tactics specific to aviation and maritime law enforcement.

Air and Marine Basic Spanish Training Program: AMBSTP is a four-week law enforcement Spanish dialogue-based course taught at the AMOA. Agents who obtain a passing score on the Spanish language proficiency test or those who have successfully completed USCBPOBTP or the USBPASTP will not be required to attend AMBSTP.

Marine Interdiction Agents: After successfully completing AMBTP and AMBSTP at the FLETC, MIAs will complete additional training at the National Marine Training Center (NMTC) in St. Augustine, FL and at their new duty station.

Travel: Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis.

Mobility Agreement: Selectee(s) will be subject to a mobility agreement.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.

CBP 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.

Follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Twitter @CustomsBorder

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is being filled under a Direct Hire Authority. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the job questionnaire. All applicants who meet minimum qualifications and any basic requirements applicable to this position, will be forwarded to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

In accordance with the Direct Hire Authority, rating and ranking questions will not be used. However, candidates must have the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform this job:

  • Ability to interpret and apply law enforcement and criminal justice theories, techniques, practices and procedures.
  • Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures that pertain to surveillance techniques and strategies.
  • Skilled in operating tracking radars, satellite navigation systems, chart plotters, GPS, DGPS, depth finder and compass on vessels.
  • Ability to establish contacts and cooperate with persons in the general marine communities and other law enforcement agencies to gather/share intelligence information.
Veterans: Veterans preference does not apply to selections made using the Direct Hire Authority. Veteran candidates will be considered along with all other applicants who apply.

Once you meet the minimum qualifications and pass the polygraph examination, you will be evaluated through the use of three (3) qualification assessments: written examination, vessel practical and structured interview. Assessments are pass/fail and applicants must pass all three assessments to receive consideration. Scores on passed assessments are valid for 24 months.

Written Examination: This examination covers the following areas - Rules of the Road, Navigation General, and Deck General. To prepare for the examination, you should refer to study aides for preparing for the USCG MMC - Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vehicles (OUPV) license. You should also review and practice chart plotting. Chart plotting tools will be provided.

Vessel Evaluation: You will be required to demonstrate your vessel handling proficiency on an approximately 30' twin engine vessel. You will be evaluated on your knowledge of safety equipment and nomenclature, Marine VHF, vessel handling and practical demonstration of navigation and docking in various conditions.

Structured Oral Interview: You must be able to answer scenario-based interview questions to demonstrate your knowledge of core competencies needed for this position. Applicants are responsible for all expenses associated with their travel to and from the assessment.

You will be responsible for all expenses associated with transport to and from a location to later be determined, as well as lodging and all other personal expenses incurred.

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