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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
04/17/2021 to 04/30/2021
Salary
$55,214 to - $71,243 per year
Pay scale & grade
GL 9
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Long Beach, CA
San Diego, CA
Fajardo, PR
Mayaguez, PR
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% 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. Puerto Rico and St. Thomas locations ONLY.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
MIA 21-06 VR
Control number
598714800

Duties

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Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period. Further questions regarding the Marine Interdiction Agent position can be sent to the AMO Recruiters at CBP_AMO_Recruiting@cbp.dhs.gov

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations.

This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-09, GS-11 & GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level automatically (without re-applying) once you complete 52-weeks at each grade level (with supervisor approval). Marine Interdiction Agents (MIA) locality pay table for Rest of the United States (RUS) are posted on OPM's site. To see the RUS salary rates please visit this link.

Compensation acronyms used below:

  • LEAP: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (25%)
  • RI: Recruitment Incentive (25%)
Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Long Beach, CA)(Locality Salary Table + LEAP)
GL-09, 1st year annual pay - $78,815
GS-11, 2nd year annual pay - $92,284
GS-12, 3rd year annual pay - $110,610

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (San Diego, CA)(Locality Salary Table + LEAP)
GL-09, 1st year annual pay - $77,244
GS-11, 2nd year annual pay - $90,444
GS-12, 3rd year annual pay - $108,405

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce and San Juan, PR; St. Thomas, VI)(RUS + LEAP + RI)
GL-09, 1st year annual pay - $82,822
GS-11, 2nd year annual pay - $96,973
GS-12, 3rd year annual pay - $116,232


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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Qualifying Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) dated within the last 5 years, or a MMLD with an accepted application status
  • 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
  • Must meet job related medical, fitness and drug testing standards
  • Appointed (enter on duty) to the MIA position prior to age 40. *Possible waiver for veterans, or current/previous federal law enforcement officers. See Required Documents
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
  • As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.

Qualifications

This position has a selective factor, as a minimum qualification requirement all candidates must have the one of the following Merchant Mariner Credentials: OUPV, Mate of 200 gross tons or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans), Chief Mate, Second Mate and Third Mate Unlimited Oceans or Master of 25 GRT or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, near Coastal or Oceans) will be considered at this time, or an MMLD with an accepted application status that has been submitted for one of the above MMC Credentials (must have Official MMC Credential in hand at the time of scheduling and at assessment appointment).

You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess at least one year of specialized experience that demonstrates the ability to:

  • 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. (Must be current within the last 5 years), or a MMLD with an accepted application status that has been submitted for one of the above MMC Credentials (must have Official MMC Credential in hand at the time of scheduling and at assessment appointment).

Qualifying Capacities: OUPV, Mate of 200 gross tons or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans), Chief Mate, Second Mate and Third Mate Unlimited Oceans or Master of 25 GRT or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans) showing the, expiration date and capacity pages of the license. Don't have an MMC? See what it takes to get one visit this link.

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; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 04/30/2021.

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 waiver 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

Education

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

Age Requirement: Provisions of Public Laws 93-350 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with DHS Management Directive 251-03, the "day before an individual's 37th birthday" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a primary law enforcement officer within DHS.The age requirement is also necessary to ensure that you are able to complete the 20 years of applicable service for retirement. NOTE: The Commissioner of CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age to 40 for original placement into a Marine Interdiction Agent position.

Unless the below criteria applies, you must meet this age requirement by 04/30/2021 AND enter-on-duty no later than the day prior to your 40th birthday in order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement.

Creditable law enforcement officer service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) (as a Customs and Border Protection Officer) on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans' Preference Eligibility - To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its decision Isabella v. Dept of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans' preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 3312. You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.

Additional information

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA): This is a non-competitive appointment in the excepted service. You may, per management's approval, obtain competitive status and career or career-conditional tenure upon satisfactory completion of a two year period and education and training. If you have less than 15 years of formal education, you will be placed in a training program and prior to your appointment a formal education/training plan will be prepared. This training can be on or off-duty and can include a combination of any of the following: college education, vocational or technical school, on-the-job training, or attendance at government-sponsored training.

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.

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

*Scheduling for any required training may be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic*Mandatory Completion of Basic

Training:
You will be detailed to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy (FLETC) in Glynco, GA, for 16 weeks of Air and Marine Basic Training (AMBT). The training is comprised of formalized courses of basic technical instruction necessary to perform the duties of the position, including a swim/water survival course. Learn more here.

Marine Interdiction Agents: After successfully completing AMBTP at FLETC, MIAs will complete additional training at the National Marine Training Center (NMTC) in St. Augustine, FL and at their new duty station. Marine Interdiction Agents may also be enrolled into the Rosetta Stone Spanish Training Program.

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

Mobility: You are required to sign a mobility agreement and be willing to relocate as necessary.

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

Shift Work: This position requires regular and recurring shift work. You must be willing and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations.

Overtime: Employees must be fully trained to be eligible for overtime. Positions may be filled at any AMO duty station within the regions listed below.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.You must be willing to work at any duty location that falls within that region.

Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB): Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce and San Juan, PR; St. Thomas, VI
Southwest Region: San Diego and Long Beach, CA

*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

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

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11089980

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are considered in the following order: (1) preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more; followed by (2) other 10-point preference eligibles; (3) 5-point preference eligible; and (4) non-preference eligibles (i.e., non-veterans).

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

  • 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.
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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