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Border Patrol Agent

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
Office of International Affairs
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of International Affairs, located in Brasilia, Brazil; San Salvador, El Salvador; Guatemala City; or Panama City, Panama.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/21/2025 to 06/04/2025
Salary
$125,133 to - $162,672 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Brasilia, Brazil
San Salvador, El Salvador
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Panama City, Panama
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Temporary promotion - 3-5 Years
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
INA-IMP-12735250-CCL
Control number
837319600

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; Career Transition Assistance Plan DHS employees.

Duties

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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 $125,133.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $162,672.00 (GS-15, Step 10). Does not include Cost of Living Allowanceand Post (Hardship) Differential rate, see this link for current rates.

Typical duties include:

  • Exercising overall responsibility for the planning, directing, managing, and organization of all aspects of CBP operations and functions in assigned overseas area of responsibility.
  • Establishing and maintaining working relationships with U.S, Embassy and foreign government officials to develop proposals, project plans, initiatives and programs that support U.S. Government and CBP international goals and priorities.
  • Providing technical assistance and training to the host country in border security operations; development of cooperative agreements and participating in international organizations.
  • Serving as liaison between CBP and the designated authorities of foreign governments in the assigned AOR on matters arising under the administration of reciprocal treaties; representing CBP in negotiations with foreign representatives in the settlement of specific controversies of law enforcement operations impacting the agency.
  • Evaluating and analyzing information and intelligence received from a variety of sources to provide expert advice and comprehensive law enforcement recommendations to U.S. Federal agencies and appropriate foreign government officials.
To learn more about CBP's Office of International Affairs, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/international-initiatives or visit us on X/Twitter: @CBPIntlAffairs

Transportation of Household Effects and Related Expenses:
A. Maximum weight of household goods and personal effects, which may be transported or stored at the Governments expense, shall not exceed 18,000 pounds net weight for all employees.
B. The transportation of household goods must be accomplished using a Government Bill of Lading. This includes transfers either to or from a foreign post of duty.
C. Allowance for Transportation and Accessories Service - The actual cost of transportation of household goods and personal effects, including the packing and crating of materials, lift vans, or other temporary containers with the weights prescribed in the previous paragraph, will be allowed at the Governments expense.
D. Temporary Storage of Household Goods - Temporary storage incident to the transportation of household goods is allowable for a period of up to 90 days.

Return Rights: No later than 365 days prior to the completion of your tour at a foreign post of duty, you will have 60 days to submit a prioritized list of up to five duty locations, to which you prefer to be reassigned, to the Human Capital Division, Overseas Support Branch. This list may contain field or Headquarters duty locations, or a combination of both. If no vacancies are available in the preferred locations you requested, you will be returned to your original duty location held prior to this assignment.

Foreign Transfer Allowance - The foreign transfer allowance is divided into two separate allowances. These allowances are payable as follows:
A. Miscellaneous Expense Allowance - This allowance is intended to assist you with certain extraordinary costs in connection with establishing residence quarters at the foreign post of duty. An amount of $750 for a single employee and $1500 for an employee with a family may be granted without any receipt or itemizing required. This allowance is not paid to employees who are returning to the United States for separation.
B. Subsistence Expenses Allowance - A subsistence expense allowance applicable to lodging, meals (including tips), laundry, cleaning and pressing expenses in temporary quarters for you and each member of your family for up to 10 days before final departure from a post in the United States to a foreign post of duty. Expenses of local transportation are not allowable.

Passports: You will be required to obtain official OR diplomatic passports for yourself and your dependents as a condition of selection. Exception: If the foreign post of duty is with the Department of Defense, you and your dependents will require an official passport.

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 3 years, with possible extension(s) for an additional 2 years in 1-year increments, for a maximum of five years. Based on applicable laws and regulations, you may be returned, at any time, to the position from which temporarily promoted, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay. If you are currently a permanent GS,-15, you will be laterally reassigned into this position and may be returned upon completion of the assignment or at any time it is determined that there is no longer an Agency need for this assignment, to the position held prior to this NTE assignment or to a similar permanent position. Return to your original location will be prioritized but is not guaranteed. Applicants who currently hold a permanent position at the advertised grade level will be referred for consideration through an alternative method.

Retirement: This position is being filled on a not-to-exceed (NTE) temporary assignment; therefore, in the event the incumbent becomes eligible for retirement and chooses to retire, the incumbent will be returned to the home office of record at least two full pay periods prior to retirement. The incumbent will not be eligible to retire while serving on a NTE assignment in Office of International Affairs.

Home Leave: In addition to annual leave, you will earn five, ten-, or fifteen-days home leave per year depending on your foreign post of duty and post differential rate. Home leave is granted to you when your foreign post of duty assignment is extended for another tour. The Government pays your per diem and transportation expenses from your foreign post of duty to your former official residence in the U.S. In addition, the Government pays for the transportation expenses of your dependents that accompany you on home leave to your residence in the U.S.

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.

You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Planning, directing, managing, and organizing all aspects of operations of a major program.
  • Collaborating with host nations, foreign counterparts or other stakeholders on developing plans that represent CBP priorities abroad
  • Applying CBP laws, policies, and procedures related to law enforcement operations to border security operations, cargo, and/or international trade regulations.
  • Consolidating facts, events, and other types of intelligence or investigative material and developing information and techniques for application in the detection, apprehension, and prosecution of criminal activity.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to highlight any and all operational, international, language, and regional experience prominently on their resume

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrated the ability to: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate law enforcement action in light of applicable laws, court decisions, and sound law enforcement procedures; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.

Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b),5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a rigorous position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a rigorous position; and have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43). If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.

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 06/04/2025.
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 on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Education

Applicant certificate lists will be pulled as vacancies occur in specific locations over the next 6 months. This JOA will post every 6 months and interested candidates will need to apply each time and indicate the specific locations they would like to be considered for, should additional vacancies occur. Applications will only be accepted during the specified open period for each announcement and qualified applications will be valid for the full 6 months.

WHERE WILL POSITIONS BE FILLED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT? You will be asked to identify your duty location preferences during the on-line application process. In some cases, the duty stations may not have a current vacancy during the life of this announcement. Applicants should still indicate every location they wish to be considered for, as unexpected vacancies that need to be filled may occur during the life of the announcement.

This announcement will be used to fill Attaché' vacancies as they occur in international CBP INA locations. Although there are not immediate vacancies in every location currently, there is an immediate vacancy in the following locations:

San Salvador, El Salvador

There are additional locations announced as supervisory positions. Please visit USAJOBS - Job Announcement to apply.

This position is being announced under multiple job series. Please visit USAJOBS - Job Announcement or USAJOBS - Job Announcement to apply to the GS-1801. Please visit USAJOBS - Job Announcement or USAJOBS - Job Announcement to apply to the GS-1895.

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 #IOP-5320-02A-UGSBPA. 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: Must obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET / SCI national security clearance because of regular access to classified information.

Passport: Incumbent will be required to maintain an official passport in the performance of official duties within the Embassy.

Visa: Incumbent may be required to obtain a visa depending on the host country travel requirement to perform official duties within the Embassy.

Medical Clearance: Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a Department of State medical clearance.

Mandatory Training: Incumbent will be required to complete a series of mandatory DHS, CBP, DOS training prior to deployment.

Leadership Training: All newly appointed, GS-15s are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 5 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

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.

Annual Leave: When you are selected for a position at a foreign post of duty for INA, you will earn annual leave at the same rate as stateside. The maximum accumulation of annual leave while at a foreign post of duty is 45 days (360 hours).

How you will be evaluated

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

Selection Certificates: Your application will not be rated, and will be referred to management in name order. A series of vacancy questions will be used to determine your eligibility. If you meet those basic requirements, your application package may be referred to management for selection consideration. Falsification of your application will remove you from consideration and could subject you to disciplinary action.

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 05/21/2025 if you have not held the GS-15 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-15 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 effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to identify strategies and implement programs which contribute to providing top-quality service.
  • Ability to work in situations requiring highly developed organizational skills, emphasis on attention to detail, and the ability to work under time pressure without compromising the quality of analysis.
  • Knowledge of the mission of CBP and the principles, practices and policies in area of responsibility to provide guidance and leadership in carrying out program strategies, and to ensure policies and plans include a long term outlook consistent with customer needs.
  • Skills, sufficient to organize and coordinate thorough, systematic and professional efforts to meet more complex planning needs and unanticipated requirements, provide written and oral reports with conclusions, alternatives and recommendations, on policies, projects, or studies for CBP.
Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12735250

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.

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

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