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CBP Marine Interdiction Agent

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

Summary

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

It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible in order to receive consideration as this announcement will close on 03/22/2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET or on the day we receive 300 applicants (whichever comes first).

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/21/2023 to 03/22/2023
Salary
$52,921 to - $66,929 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses may 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
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AMO-SMP-11871172-KAP
Control number
714103100

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:

  • Serving as a basic crewmember on marine vessels
  • Assisting Tactical Boarding Officers (TBO) with boarding, arrests, and seizures
  • Providing cover for agents during felony stops
  • Completing mission relevant reports and documentation with assistance from senior MIAs
  • Exercising sound judgement in law enforcement matters and tactics
In this position you will be expected to obtain one of the qualifying U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) listed below within the first 3 years of employment. You will not be promoted to the GL-9 grade level until you are in possession of the required licensing. Failure to obtain the required licensing may result in your being removed from this position.

Licensing requirements for promotion to the next higher grade level are possession of a USCG MMC with one of the following capacities:
GL-9 (OUPV, Mate, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, Master)
GS-11 (OUPV, Mate, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, Master)
GS-12 (Master or Offshore Vessel Commander); successful completion of the Tactical Boarding Officer (TBO) course AND the initial certification training for Vessel Commander (VC) at the National Marine Training Center (NMTC). ***Please be advised an MMC requires you to pass a USCG medical, drug test, criminal record, sea time review, and evaluation fees among other items. See the Application Acceptance Checklist at this link.

Further questions regarding the Marine Interdiction Agent position can be sent to the AMO Recruiters at CBP_AMO_Recruiting@cbp.dhs.gov

The following incentives may be available upon entrance on duty. The compensation acronyms used below are:

Law Enforcement Availability Pay LEAP: Available to everyone upon Entrance on Duty (EOD). LEAP is 25 percent of employee's locality salary .
Group Recruitment Incentive (GRI):Upon Entrance on Duty (EOD) in Long Beach, CA, you may be eligible to receive a Recruitment Incentive, pending budgetary approval and per the terms outlined in agency policy. The Long Beach Recruitment Incentive is 10 percent of an employee's annual salary.
Recruitment Incentive (RI):Upon Entrance on Duty (EOD) in Caribbean Air and Marine locations, you may be eligible to receive a Recruitment Incentive, pending budgetary approval and per the terms outlined in agency policy. The Caribbean Incentive is 25 percent of an employee's annual salary.
Group Retention Incentive Long Beach: MIAs currently stationed in Long Beach may be eligible to receive a Retention Incentive, pending budgetary approval and per the terms outlined in agency policy. The Long Beach Retention Incentive is 10 percent of an employee's annual salary.

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Long Beach, CA) (Locality Salary Table + LEAP + GRI).
GL-07 annual pay - $82,721
GL-09 annual pay - $102,508
GS-11 annual pay - $120,023
GS-12 annual pay - $143,857

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (San Diego, CA)(Locality Salary Table + LEAP)
GL-07 annual pay - $74,959
GL-09 annual pay - $92,256
GS-11 annual pay - $108,020
GS-12 annual pay - $129,471

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce, and San Juan PR and St. Thomas, VI)(RUS + LEAP + RI)
GL-07 annual pay - $79,381
GL-09 annual pay - $88,531
GS-11 annual pay - $103,661
GS-12 annual pay - $124,246

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Key Largo, Key West, Marathon, Miami, and West Palm Beach, FL)(Locality Salary Table + LEAP)
GL-07 annual pay - $70,490
GL-09 annual pay - $78,615
GS-11 annual pay - $91,689
GS-12 annual pay - $110,328


Locations are offered based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs for entry level Marine Interdiction Agents as determined by Air and Marine Operations. A duty location will be offered after successful completion of the pre-employment process. Your final duty location may include any geographic location within the Southwest Region, Southeast Region or Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

Current possible duty locations include but are not limited to:
Southwest Region: Long Beach and San Diego, CA
Southeast Region: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Key Largo, Key West, Marathon, Miami, and West Palm Beach, FL, and the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB): Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce, and San Juan, PR, and Saint Thomas, VI.

*Your opportunity for final selection is increased based on your flexibility to Enter on Duty at priority duty location*

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • 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
  • 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

You qualify for the GL-7 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Working with others to develop, evaluate, identify facts, and preserve evidence.
  • Collecting information from other Federal, State, and local agencies.
  • Using proper basic law enforcement techniques.
  • Ability to work with others to prepare reports and other materials.
  • Properly applying pre-established procedures and guidelines, such as laws, regulations, policies, and directives.
Qualifying experience could have been gained through a law enforcement or equivalent position.
Experience may include that of a:
Certified Law Enforcement Officer/Agent
Military Police or Law Enforcement duties while on Active Duty
Court Officer
Probationary Officer/Agent
Law Enforcement Response Specialist
Park Ranger

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

GL-7 Education Substitution: Requires 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, forensic psychology, corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university.

The following may be used for consideration at the GL-7 grade level:

A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on:
(1) class standing
(2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0), or
(3) honor society membership
Go to Superior Academic Achievement to see if you qualify under this provision

OR

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, forensic psychology, corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited or college or university

-OR-

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed 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, forensic psychology, corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university . This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

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 03/22/2023.
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 additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process.

Polygraph Examination: The CBP 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
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.

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 03/22/2023 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

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

Fitness: You must be able to meet job-related standards.

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

Firearm Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.

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

Training: This position has a training requirement. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.

Mandatory Completion of Basic Training: You will be detailed to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy (FLETC) in Glynco, GA, for 15 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, and the Marine Law Enforcement Training Program (MLETP) at FLETC, MIAs will complete additional training at the National Marine Training Center in St. Augustine, FL and at their new duty station, and may also be enrolled into the Rosetta Stone Spanish Training Program.

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

Promotion and Continued Employment Agreement: You may be required to sign an agreement acknowledging this position requires you to possess qualifying USCG Licensing for promotion to the GL-9 grade level and continued employment with AMO.

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.

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/11871172

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an assessment questionnaire.

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

  • Knowledge and skill in the use of proper law enforcement and interdiction techniques.
  • Ability to collect intelligence information from other Federal, State and Local agencies, both operationally and administratively.
  • Skilled in working with others to develop and evaluate intelligence information.
  • Ability to identify facts and preserve evidence through the use of private and public records.
  • Knowledge of basic marine vessel and vessel operations.

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. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

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