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CBP OFFICER (INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER)

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
Office of Field Operations, Immigration Advisory Program
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 Field Operations, International Operations and Advisory Directorate (IOAD), International Field Office, Immigration Advisory Program Division located in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/06/2025 to 10/09/2025
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$90,025 to - $117,034 per year

Salary above excludes COLA. Please see the link below for specific COLA rates.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
San Salvador, El Salvador
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - 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.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
OFO-IMP-12803815-MHW
Control number
847271600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are currently working in a permanent competitive service position; Career Transition Assistance Plan CBP employees.

Duties

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It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible in order to receive consideration as this announcement will close on 10/10/2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET or on the day we receive 75 applicants (whichever comes first.)

Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to manage one or more national programs in order to help to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering/exiting the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to direct programs that strengthen the Department's ability to perform homeland security. This position starts at a salary of $90,025.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $117,034.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $117,034.00 GS-13Step 10).

Salary above excludes COLA. Please see here for specific COLA Rates.

Typical work assignments include:
  • Managing and coordinating the identification of potential terrorists and instruments of terror with host authorities, and performing layered enforcement activities relative to counter-terrorism.
  • Ensuring all required tasks/assignments/reports are completed in a timely and effective manner and providing guidance on other CBP Officer requests while overseas.
  • Preparing and coordinating reports to CBP management and foreign government officials to include information on status of ongoing advisory assistance and/or training programs and other issues and barriers.
  • Conducting liaison with foreign government officials and law enforcement agencies including: State Department, Consular officials, U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
  • Managing relationships with diplomacy, interpersonal and protocol skills when interacting with officials from the host country, U.S. Embassy, and other government agencies.
Conduct Responsibilities on Overseas Assignment: Employee will be subject to the laws of the United States while posted overseas to include those specifically applicable to Federal employees including the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees in the Executive Branch and the DHS Ethics/Standards of Conduct. While posted overseas, the employee will conduct themselves in a manner that reflects honorably on the United States of America and which is consistent with any applicable diplomatic agreements between the United States and the host country. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Excessive consumption of alcohol, or if the country forbids consumption of alcohol, the consumption of alcohol.
  • Recreational use of controlled substances such as marijuana, whether prescribed or not, even if legal in the geographic location.
  • Using the services of a commercial sex provider, even if legal in the geographic location.
  • Any conduct that could disgrace, embarrass, or discredit the Department of Homeland Security or the United States of America.

Failure to adhere to the above may subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including removal, the loss of security clearance, and the immediate expulsion from the host country.

If going from a LEO Covered Position to a Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for Law Enforcement Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). For further information on the Secondary CBPO Enhanced Retirement Coverage, please see the Qualifications section

If going from a Primary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position to a Secondary CBPO SRC Position and you have less than 3 years in a Primary CBPO SRC Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for CBP Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or covered under your applicable non-special retirement system depending upon previous service. For further information on the Secondary CBPO SRC, please see the Qualifications section.

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
  • You and your dependents must pass a State Department medical examination
  • You and your dependents must obtain a valid passport
  • You must possess a government credit card
  • You must be proficient and able to communicate in Spanish
  • All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
  • 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 have taken the required CBP Officer Promotional Assessment component and have a passing Total Score
  • 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.
  • Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
  • Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.
  • DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Supporting, guiding, informing, and/or advising other CBP Officers and management on intelligence analysis, examination, and law enforcement activities relating to the arrival and departure of persons, conveyances, and merchandise entering the United States.
  • Interpreting the laws, rules and regulations of a broad range of Federal, state, and local agencies relating to the admissibility of people, cargo, and conveyances, while utilizing classified intelligence to complete complex tasks.
  • Managing the daily activities and operations of an office, while performing a variety of administrative, advisory and coordination of tasks.
  • Utilizing a wide range of records checks using a variety of databases, systems and tactical intelligence to identify high-risk travelers and cargo while maintaining appropriate controls of classified material.
  • Manage highly sensitive situations tactfully and diplomatically to gain the cooperation of various internal and external stakeholders.
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.

Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (5 CFR 842.1003; 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b); and 5 USC 8412(d). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a primary position; and, if applicable, have been continuously employed in a secondary position or positions 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 If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.

The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6, 2008.

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 10/10/2025
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

Polygraph Examination: The CBP OFFICER (INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER) 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.

Probationary Period: Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards:

Physical/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.

Physical Fitness Test: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please view both Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test and Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program, a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test.

Education

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

Tour of Duty: Employees will serve a two (2) year initial tour, with the potential opportunity to apply for additional tours subject to the duration as defined by the host country and Department of State, and at the discretion of management. At the end of the assignment or at the discretion of management, you will be returned to a position at the same level as this Immigration Advisory Program position. Employees who have not served two (2) years at a domestic duty station, subsequent to their initial overseas tour of duty, should not be considered for a second tour of duty in any foreign assignment.

Return Rights: No more than one hundred and fifty (150) calendar days before the end of tour, but not less than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the end of the initial tour, as well as the conclusion of any extensions, employees are expected to formally request, through a fully completed Notice of Intent (NOI), express intent to return to the United States. Please refer to Article 40 Section 6 of the National Collective Bargaining Agreement for additional information with regards to Extension Request and Return Procedures.

Home Leave: In addition to annual leave, employees at IAP posts earn ten days home leave on each two-year assignment. This leave is only granted to those employees who have their IAP 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 in IAP 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 an IAP 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.

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. An amount of $650 for a single employee and $1300 for an employee with 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 post in a foreign area. Expenses of local transportation are not allowable.

Temporary Lodging Allowance (not payable if claiming living quarters allowance): A temporary lodging allowance is a tax-free quarters allowance that 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.

Transportation of Household Effects and Related Expenses:
A. Maximum weight of household goods and personal effects, which may be transported or stored at Government expense shall not exceed 18,000 pounds net weight for all employees.
B. The transportation of household goods must be accomplished through the use of 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 Government expense.
D. Temporary Storage of Household Goods - Temporary storage incident to transportation of household goods is allowable for a period of up to 90 days.

Education Allowance: Payment for most actual costs of education for each dependent are determined by the Department of State and are subject to change.

Additional Information: Applicants should be aware that certain international locations may require additional out of pocket expenses that may or may not be reimbursable at a later time.

Annual Leave Accumulation: Employees assigned to IAP posts may carry over 360 hours of annual leave to the next leave year (as opposed to 240 hours).

Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices, aircraft operation areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities. The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respirators.

Additional information

Language Requirement: You must be proficient and able to communicate in Spanish.

Security Clearance: This position requires a security clearance. If selected for this position, you should be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance.

Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. 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.

Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a current valid State driver's license at the time of appointment.

Training: You may be required to attend approximately 18 weeks of training at the CBP Academy at FLETC.

Shift Work/Overtime: You may be required to work on a shift and rotational basis and perform substantial amounts of overtime.

Rotation of Assignments/Duty Locations: Applicants may be required to rotate assignments and duty locations.

Data Systems: Applicants must maintain ability to access all data systems.

CBP Training: You will be required to attend CSI-related training.

Passports: You will be required to obtain diplomatic passports for yourself and your dependents as a condition of selection.

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

Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which you claim in the job questionnaire AND you must provide the supporting documentation. You will not be considered for Eligibilities for which you did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12803815.


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 Promotional Assessment. You must have a current, valid score by 10/06/2025 if you have not held the GS-13 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-13 or higher. Your application record will remain in a pending status until after the announcement closes, at which time we will upload test scores.

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.

This self-assessment will be used to assess the following competencies or KSAs:
  • Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of CBP and their agency laws, regulations, precedent decisions, and instructions pertaining to the admission, denial or admission or removal of a wide variety of categories of applicants for admission to the united States: granting or denying of benefits available under the Immigration and Nationality act as amended to respond timely and accurately to inquiries from all partners, U.S. and foreign.
  • Skill and ability to collect and analyze information from a wide variety of sources to effectively identify known or potential territories, instruments of terror, criminals, smuggling aliens, trends, and other threats to the U.S. border and national security.
  • Ability to utilize Interpersonal and administrative assets, sufficient to organizing and coordinating thorough, systematic, and professional efforts to meet more complex planning needs and unanticipated requirements,
  • Ability to provide written and oral reports with conclusions, alternatives, and recommendations, on policies, projects, or studies for CBP.
If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12803815.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. Information about CTAP eligibility can be found here. 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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