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.

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 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 www.cbp.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The CBP Agriculture Specialist (AGS) 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

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply to this position
• You must have resided in the U.S. for the last 3 years
• You must meet job-related medical and drug-testing standards
• You must successfully pass a background investigation
• You will be required to work regular and recurring shift work
• You must possess a valid driver's license
• You may be required to take a polygraph examination

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 may be reduced to a GS-5 step 10, which equates to an approximate $29,961 salary reduction (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: You must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

Formal Training: You will start your training at the Professional Development Center located in Frederick, MD, for USDA training. Upon successful completion of this training, you will transition to the Field Operations Academy located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA, for additional training. Successful completion of both training environments is required.

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

Shift Work/Overtime: You must be willing and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and work units. You may be required to work overtime on a regular and recurring basis.

Residency: If you are not currently a 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:

1.      Resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations);

2.      Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or

3.      Been a dependent of a United States federal or military employee serving overseas

Exceptions may be granted if you provide complete state-side coverage information regarding participation in "Study Abroad" programs, overseas church missions, or state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with you overseas. You must provide information and related documentation at the time of application.

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

All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirement for All Grades (GS-5/7/9): You must have successfully completed a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that includes a major field of study such as agronomy, botany, entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, pest management, plant science, soil science, crop science, microbiology, mycology, nematology, weed science, ecology, biology, agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, environmental resource management, chemistry or related disciplines.  If you have not completed the above described education, you must have completed at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline at an accredited college or university plus have appropriate work experience. 

You qualify for the GS-5 grade level (starting salary $33,394) if you possess one of the following:

a. A minimum of 1 year 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 transcripts which includes at least 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university; OR

b. A 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 field of study listed above; OR

c. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that includes a major in a field of study listed above; OR

d. Will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement and the transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement

You qualify for the GS-7 grade level (starting salary $41,365) if you possess one of the following:

a. A minimum of 1 year of specialized work experience 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 AND transcripts which includes 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university; OR

b. 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 field of study listed above; OR

c. 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 field of study listed above; OR

d. 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 field of study listed above and the transcripts must indicate you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR

e. A combination of graduate level education completed in a field of study listed above from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience listed in a. above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application

You qualify for the GS-9 grade level (starting salary $50,598) if you possess one of the following:

a. A minimum 1 year of specialized work experience 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 AND transcripts which includes 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university; OR

b. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university that includes a major in a field of study listed above; OR

c. Will receive a Master's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement in one of the fields of study listed above and the transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR

d. A combination of one year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade listed above and two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree in one of the fields of study listed above; OR

e. A combination of graduate level education completed in a field of study listed above from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience listed in a. above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience and training will be rated using an online self-assessment questionnaire that is based on the competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. You will receive a score ranging from 70-100 based on your responses. Your entire application package will then be reviewed.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs): Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements are required to possess certain Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, or Other Characteristics (KSAOs) to successfully perform the functions of this position. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their ability to perform of these KSAOs in an online job questionnaire. The KSAOs 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

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

1. Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria
3. Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities

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. 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. Please see Veterans' Preference for more information.