Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens may apply. Locations are determined by the needs of the agency after the successful completion of pre-employment.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The CBP Agriculture Specialist (CBPAS) primary responsibilities are:

• Serve as a consultant in the areas of inspection, analysis, intelligence gathering, examination, and law enforcement activities regarding the importation of agricultural/commercial commodities and conveyances at ports of entry
• Apply laws and regulations when determining the admissibility of agriculture commodities while preventing the introduction of harmful pests, diseases, and potential agro-terrorism into the United States
• Participate in special enforcement, targeting or analysis teams charged with collecting and analyzing information and identifying high-risk targets
• Plan and conduct remedial actions such as treating, disinfecting, and decontaminating prohibited commodities, conveyances, contaminants or agricultural materials

You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission critical locations: Lukeville and San Luis, AZ; Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Honolulu, HI; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Laredo, TX; and Seattle, WA.

NOTE: The above preference locations 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 Agriculture Specialists as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations.

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 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 location offering 25% recruitment incentive: San Francisco, CA

If you accept San Francisco, California, as your location you will be eligible for the Special Salary Rate based on the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland CA Special Salary Rate Table

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. Pay rates are based on the 2023 OPM Salary Tables and do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases.

For more information on career progression, click here: https://www.cbp.gov/careers/ofo/pay-benefits/agspecialist

Conditions of employment

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

Probationary Period: You must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

CBP Agriculture Specialist Training: You will be required to complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately 2 weeks at your home port. You will then attend a 69-day training program conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Glynco, GA. This training consists of determining the admissibility of agriculture commodities, preventing introduction of harmful pests/diseases, etc. For more information, please visit CBP Field Operations Academy. Successful completion of the academy is required for this position.

Uniforms: This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.

Residency Requirement: CBP has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants not currently employed by CBP. You are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates as (as declared under international law) for at least three (3) of the last five (5) years, before completing an application for CBP employment. If you do not meet the residency requirement as stated above and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) 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:

1. Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
2. A dependent of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government
3. Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, a consultant or an intern for the U.S. Government
4. Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university

If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.

Driver's License: You must possess a valid driver's license.

More requirements listed in the Additional Information section below.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirement for All Grades (GS-5/7/9): The CBP Agriculture Specialist position has a basic education requirement. All applicants must meet the basic education requirement in order to be considered for this position. Education must be from an accredited college or university. More information on this requirement can be found in theCBP Agriculture Specialist Qualification Aid and in the OPM Qualification Standards

All applicants must meet one of the following Basic Qualification Requirement:
1. Degree: A bachelor's degree or a full four-year course of study in one of the following fields of study:
Qualifying Fields of Study: Agronomy, botany, cell biology, crop science, ecology, entomology, forestry, horticulture, microbiology, mycology, nematology, pest management, plant pathology, plant physiology, plant science, soil science or weed science, biological science, biology, agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, environmental resource management, chemistry, physics, fisheries, zoology and food science.
OR
2. Combination of education and experience: Completed at least 24 semester hours in a qualifying field of study, as shown above, PLUS qualifying experience or additional education.To determine if you meet the combination, you must divide the months of qualifying experience by 48; next, divide the number of undergraduate semester hours by 120 (or 180 for undergraduate quarter hours) and the two percentages must total at least 100%.

You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you meet the basic requirement detailed below:

Education:
A bachelor's degree or full four-year course of study (at least 120 semester credits) at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree that includes a major in a qualifying field of study; OR

A pending bachelor's degree that includes a major in a qualifying field of study from an accredited college or university to be completed within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement. The transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions and maintain composure in stressful situations; learn enforcement regulations, methods and techniques through classroom training and on-the-job instruction; maintain logs and gather factual information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records AND undergraduate level education which includes at least 24 semester hours in a major in a qualifying field of study.

You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you meet the basic requirement above AND if you possess one of the following:

Education:
One full year of graduate level education (equivalent to 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree that includes a major in a qualifying field of study; OR

A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0 scale), which is based on one of the following: class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership from an accredited college or university that includes at least 24 semester hours in a major in a qualifying field of study; OR

Will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0 scale) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of the job announcement, which includes at least 24 semester hours in a major in a qualifying field of study OR will complete one full year of graduate level education from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of the job announcement in a qualifying field of study. The transcripts must show you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR

Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that demonstrates the ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with agricultural matters; research information for reports and provide information to others; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate action enforcing regulations when inspecting vessels, vehicles, aircraft and/or baggage for the presence of restricted plant materials, pests or diseases and reviewing/analyzing passengers and/or commodity documents to assess the agricultural risk of their entry into the United States; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of graduate level education which includes a qualifying field of study from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience listed above. See the CBP Agriculture Specialist Qualification Aid for more information.

Note: If you are qualifying based on your graduate level education, you must submit your graduate transcripts. You must also submit your undergraduate transcripts to verify you meet the Basic Requirement.

You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you meet the basic requirement above AND if you possess one of the following:

Education:
A master's degree from an accredited college or university that includes a major in a qualifying field of study; OR

A pending master's degree that includes a major in a qualifying field of study from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement. The transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR

Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that demonstrates the ability to coordinate, plan and execute inspection assignments, investigate violations, prepare investigative reports and provide testimony, compile data, logs and prepare reports of work accomplishments and inspection operations, coordinate and assist with school or media events and plan, conduct and oversee treatments such as disinfection, sterilization and decontamination treatments; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of graduate level education in a qualifying field of study from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience listed above. See the CBP Agriculture Specialist Qualification Aid for more information.

Note: If you are qualifying based on your graduate level education, you must submit your graduate transcripts. You must also submit your undergraduate transcripts to verify you meet the Basic Requirement.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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, and 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.

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 Resource office.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g. resume and supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire. 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.

You will be assessed on the following competencies: General Ability Frontline Staffing

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

1. Best Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.

The knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Knowledge of inspection programs, policies, practices, and methods
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, review and assess prohibited items, pests or diseases
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. Please see Veterans' Preferencefor more information.