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BORDER PATROL AGENT (ASSISTANT CHIEF)

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Border Patrol
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters, Law Enforcement Operations Directorate, Foreign Operations located in The Hague (Netherlands)

Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/04/2024 to 06/17/2024
Salary
$104,604 to - $135,987 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
The Hague, Netherlands
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Frequent travel is required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation benefit has been authorized.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
USBP-IMP-12433314-DDW
Control number
793942800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current U.S. Customs & Border Protection employees who are currently working in a permanent competitive service position

Duties

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Relocation expenses have been authorized for this position. See the Relocation Expenses Reimbursed section of this announcement and U.S. Border Patrol Paid Moves for additional details.

This position will allow you to use your expertise to prevent illegal entry of noncitizens into the United States by land, water, or air; enforce criminal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Laws; and seek out and apprehend smugglers or noncitizens who are in the United States illegally. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to protect the homeland.

This position starts at a salary of $104,604.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $135,987.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

You will serve as a secondary law enforcement officer (under 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 8412 (d)). Your duties will include:

  • Sharing joint information to further increase CBP's current level of engagement and coordination with Europol
  • Enhancing and facilitating the exchange of information and coordination between the United States and the European Union in combating illegal immigration, especially as exploited by organized crime groups
  • Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating strategic and tactical information and reports within CBP and to other law enforcement officials internationally
  • Gathering and updating a variety of automated systems and national databases with collected information on smugglers, informants, counterfeit operations on trends and patterns
Foreign Location Benefits:

Return Rights:
You will be contacted by Headquarters no later than 120 days prior to completion of the tour and asked to identify up to five duty locations (with comparable positions) where you would like to relocate. If no position is available at those locations, you will be placed at a location that meets the greatest needs of U.S. Border Patrol.
  • Vehicle: A government vehicle will be provided.
  • Annual Leave Accumulation: Employees assigned to this location may carry over 360 hours of annual leave to the next leave year (as opposed to 240 hours).
  • Home Leave: In addition to annual leave, employees at this location earn ten days home leave on each two-year assignment. This leave is only granted to those employees who have their foreign assignment extended for another tour and is to be used between tours. The Government pays the employee per diem and transportation expenses from the employee's post of duty to the employee's former official residence in the United States. In addition, it also pays for the transportation expenses of dependents who accompany the employee on home leave to the employee's residence in the United States.
  • Living Quarters Allowances (not payable if claiming temporary lodging allowance): Employees receive payment of an annual tax-free quarters' allowance for housing while in a foreign station. This allowance is intended to cover the cost of suitable, adequate living quarters for the employee and his/her family plus the cost of heat, light, fuel, gas, electricity, and water. However, at some duty stations government subsidized housing is provided.
  • Temporary Lodging Allowance (not payable if claiming living quarters allowance): A temporary lodging allowance is a tax-free quarters allowance, which is granted to you for the reasonable cost of temporary quarters, which are incurred by you and your family for a period not to exceed (1) 60 days after first arrival at a new post in a foreign area, or a period ending with the occupation of permanent quarters, if earlier; and (2) 30 days immediately preceding final departure from the post subsequent to the necessary vacating of residence quarters.
  • Education Allowance: Payment for most actual costs of education for each dependent are determined by the Department of State and are subject to change.
  • Medical Examination: You and your dependents who accompany you to the foreign station will be required to pass a prescribed State Department medical examination as a condition of assignment.
  • Passports: You will be required to obtain diplomatic passports for yourself and your dependents as a condition of selection.

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
  • You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards
Temporary/Rotational Assignment: To meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a temporary basis not-to-exceed (NTE) 2 year(s),with possible extension(s) for an additional 2 years, plus 1 additional year for a total of 5 years. You may be returned, at any time, to the position from which temporarily promoted, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay, and the return is not subject to the procedures found in 5 C.F.R. §§ 351, 432, 752, and 771. If you are currently at the grade level of the position announced, this action will result in a reassignment, and you may be returned at any time to a same or similar position held prior to this temporary assignment. If you currently hold a grade level higher than the grade being announced, this action will result in a change to lower grade, and you may be returned at any time to the position held prior to this temporary assignment or to the same or similar position at the lower grade level. Return to your original location will be prioritized, but is not guaranteed.

See the USBP Rotation Process Internal Operating Procedures (IOP) by visiting here (this is only viewable from a CBP computer). The USBP Rotation Program IOP dictates the terms of rotating out of the NTE assignment once the assignment has concluded.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirements:

The basic qualification requirements include experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrates the ability to make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; to deal effectively with individuals or persons in a courteous, tactful manner; and to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions.

AND

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Providing technical and administrative direction and oversight for all Border Patrol related functions within an assigned area
  • Supervising, managing or directing operational programs and their appropriate support functions
  • Directing local policy and program initiatives
  • Developing, managing or directing operational policy or programs related to Border Patrol operations
Secondary LEO Covered Position: This position meets the eligibility criteria for law enforcement officer (LEO) retirement under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). To qualify for secondary retirement coverage, you must move directly from a primary/rigorous position to a secondary LEO position (without a break in service exceeding three days) and have completed three years of service in a primary/rigorous position, and, if applicable, have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary/rigorous position, without a break in service exceeding three days.

Mandatory Prerequisite for Secondary Administrative LEO Retirement Covered Position: This position has been identified as Administrative, that is, an executive, managerial, technical, semiprofessional, or professional position for which experience in a primary/rigorous law enforcement or firefighting position, or equivalent experience outside of the Federal government is a mandatory prerequisite,

as defined by 5 CFR 831.902 (CSRS) and 5 CFR 842.802 (FERS).

Note: if you currently serve in a permanent Secondary LEO Retirement covered position, you are exempt from this mandatory prerequisite
Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish).

Firearms 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.

Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.

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 06/17/2024.
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: This 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

This is a Non-Bargaining Unit status position.

Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.

Shift Work/Overtime: 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. You could be required to work overtime on a daily basis and will be compensated up to an additional 25% of your base pay in accordance with the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014.

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

Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here, as established by the Border Patrol's Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #07-09126. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head and face are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible.

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

Financial Disclosure is required.

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.

You will be ranked on the basis of the scores received on your U.S. Border Patrol Promotional Assessment. You must have a current, valid score by 06/04/2024 if you have not held the GS-14 on a permanent basis, or if you have been demoted due to performance or conduct reasons. You do not need to have a current, valid test score if you have permanently held a position at the GS-14 or higher. Your application record will remain in a pending status until after the announcement closes, at which time we will upload test scores.

You will be assessed on the following competencies or KSAs:

  • Ability to deal with stress effectively and to display high standards of ethical conduct
  • Skill in providing briefings to a variety of groups
  • Skill in excellent communication and writing skills
  • Ability to create written documents that are accurate, succinct, and organized
Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12433314

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

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