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SEIZED PROPERTY SPECIALIST

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
Office of Field Operations (OFO) Los Angeles

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of : This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations Los Angeles Field Office LA/LB Seaport, Fines Penalties & Forfeitures, Long Beach, CA.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/27/2026 to 01/31/2026
Salary
$87,061 to - $135,657 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Long Beach, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
OFO-12865222-GKJ
Control number
855402900

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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Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations Los Angeles Field Office LA/LB Seaport, Fines Penalties & Forfeitures, Long Beach, CA.

Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to provide for the inventory and safe storage of seized illegal narcotics and prohibited goods that have not met the requirements for entry into the U.S. This position starts at a salary of $87,061.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $135,657.00 (GS-12, Step 10)

In this Seized Property Specialist position, you will become a valuable team member of homeland security professionals overseeing the inventory and safe storage of seized illegal narcotics, prohibited goods and restricted merchandise. Typical work assignments include:

  • Complying with processes and procedures pursuant to established CBP policies provided for in the Seized Asset Management and Enforcement Procedures Handbook (SAMEPH) for the custody, preservation, and disposition of seized or forfeited property through to resolution, within the FPF Officer's (FPFO) authority.
  • Responsible for compliance with all physical security standards, policies and regulations as they relate to the OFO permanent seizure vault.
  • Having comprehensive CBP subject matter expert regarding the national seized property contractor and the contractor's SOW providing direct oversight of seized property contractor actions in order to monitor performance and ensure compliance with TEOAF and SAMEPH requirements.
  • Providing technical direction on complex issues to seizing officers (CBP/HSI) involved in seized property activities.
  • Giving advice, counsel or instruction to field personnel on operational and administrative matters.
GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

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

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)
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU
  • Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations.
  • May be required to carry an electronic communication device.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Making recommendations to the supervisor and/or senior Seized Property Specialist (SPS) on storage requirements and storage locations for all types of seized property to include controlled substances, currency, and firearms.
  • Assisting with determining special handling requirements for hazardous materials, biohazardous, and any other property requiring special transportation and/or unique handling.
  • Providing technical guidance to lower grade level employees on seized property related issues.
  • Ensuring that all seized property stored in the certified OFO permanent seizure vault complies with the packaging, labeling, and storage requirements.
  • Providing technical guidance to lower grade level employees on seized property related issues.
Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as
  • Complying with the requirements established by CBP policy in the Seized Asset Management and Enforcement
  • Providing safe storage of the procedure handbook (SAMEPH) for the custody, preservation, and disposition of seized or forfeited property through to solution, within the FPF Officer's (FPFO) authority.
  • Planning, preparing for and participating in seized property destruction operations.
  • Determining special handling requirements for hazardous materials, biohazardous, and any other property requiring special transportation and/or unique handling.
  • Advising the supervisor on problems, recommending solutions, and broadening their operations scope by involving the FPF Office on various issues; providing guidance to CBP and other DHS entities concerning seized property processing.
  • Testifying in court as to the amounts and condition of seized goods and/or including explaining a complex chain of custody pertaining to items of their responsibility.
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.

Education Substitution: GS-11: You may substitute a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M for the experience required at the GS-11 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. You are required to submit proof of your claim.

Combining Education and Experience: GS-11: You may substitute a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M for the experience required at the GS-11 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. You are required to submit proof of your claim

Education Substitution: GS-12: There is no educational substitution

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 01/31/2026.
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: CBP has the authority to conduct a polygraph for the SEIZED PROPERTY SPECIALIST position, however, at this time a polygraph is not a pre-employment requirement. If CBP decides to implement the polygraph as a pre-employment requirement while you are in the hiring process, CBP will notify you and provide additional information.


Polygraph Examination: The SEIZED PROPERTY SPECIALIST 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.

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.

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.

Education

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

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete 5 weeks of paid training in Glynco, GA. 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.
Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess a current valid State driver's license at the time of appointment.

May be required to operate a forklift, pallet jacks and utilize other methods for handling materials/warehousing equipment.

Uniform: This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.
Physical and Medical Requirements: You must be able to meet job-related medical and fitness standards.
Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. You will be required to certify whether you have ever been convicted of such an offense. False or fraudulent information is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment.
Overtime/ Travel: Position may require unscheduled overtime and extensive travel for extended timeframes.
Must maintain the ability to access all data systems necessary to duty execution
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.

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/12865222

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics).

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

The USA Hire Assessment will be used to assess the following general competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/ Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Self- Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Occupational Reading Assessment
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Occupational Reasoning Assessment
  • Reasoning
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 https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12865222

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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