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REALTY SPECIALIST

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 (DHS), within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Headquarters, Program Management Operations Division (PMOD), Infrastructure, location is negotiable after selection. You must choose one of the following locations:

  • Laguna Niguel, CA
  • Washington, DC

This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 50 applications have been received, whichever happens first.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/21/2025 to 12/04/2025
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$124,531 to - $161,889 per year

Salary listed reflects the Rest of U.S. (RUS) scale.

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
Location Negotiable After Selection
2 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - Construction of Border Wall System Not-to-Exceed (NTE) September 30th, 2029.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
USBP-SMP-12836396-JRB
Control number
850551300

Duties

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This announcement has been amended as of 11/24/2025 to extend the closing date to 12/05/2025.

In this position, you will lead the full lifecycle of real property acquisition, management, utilization, and disposal while providing expert portfolio guidance, interpreting policy, conducting market/title analyses, and negotiating complex leases. This position ensures U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) has the facilities and land needed to execute operations, optimize utilization and costs, and maintain compliance to support mission readiness.

This position starts at a salary of $124,531.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $161,889.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

As a Realty Specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring efficient and effective management of real property assets, resolving real estate challenges, and facilitating the acquisition and disposal of properties in accordance with applicable regulations and agency needs. Typical duties will include:

  • Planning and executing real property acquisitions (purchase, lease, exchange, donation) and provide expert portfolio management guidance, interpreting/formulating policy and ensuring compliance with FAR, FPMR, GSA, and USBP procedures.
  • Serving as project lead and subject matter expert (SME) for complex realty decisions, developing business cases, conducting strategic analyses, and leading audits and process improvements.
  • Managing assignments, utilization, and disposal of federally owned/leased properties, preparing site evaluations, and formulating lease-versus-purchase analyses.
  • Conducting market surveys and title research, negotiating and administering complex leases and agreements as a RECO, and performing cost/price analyses.
  • Establishing and maintaining liaison with property owners, government officials, and stakeholders, briefing leadership, and acting as a spokesperson on real property matters to reconcile competing interests and support mission needs.

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
  • 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 position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Experience: 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:

  • Leading end to end lease or purchase acquisitions, including market surveys, negotiations, award, and administration in compliance with FAR/FPMR/GSA policy;
  • Conducting site evaluations and preparing reports assessing property adequacy relative to mission requirements and proximity to operational elements;
  • Reviewing title reports, identifying exceptions, preparing curative documentation, and coordinating with owners/counsel to resolve title defects;
  • Developing acquisition plans and strategies for distinctive needs (e.g., easements, access corridors) and conducting competitive procurements;
  • Negotiating complex lease and acquisition terms and conditions to achieve fair rental rates and secure protections aligned with operational requirements.

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.

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 12/04/2025.

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

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.

Additional information

Required Certification: This position serves as a Real Estate Contracting Officer (RECO); which requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Real Estate Contracting Officer (RECO) Warrant; and requires the completion of the Leasing Certification Program (LCP) Level II within 24 months of appointment. The incumbent must possess all requirements for the Leasing Program Level II and respective Real Property Contracting Officer Warrant.

  • Training: Can be met by completion of courses conducted by HSAI, FAI, DAU, or a specialized training provider.

Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See "THIS JOB IS OPEN TO" section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people 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 and to understand what documentation would be required with your application, please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement.
  • Veterans
  • Military spouses Effective until December 31, 2028, any spouse of a member on active duty may be eligible
  • Land Management Hiring Flexibility Act: The following documents are required at the time of application: SF-50s to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements and the most recent performance rating signed by your supervisor or a statement from your supervisor documenting acceptable performance.

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/12836396

Your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed to ensure you meet the minimum qualification(s). Your resume must support that you meet both specialized experience requirements described in the qualifications section and are proficient in the skills/competencies. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a Structured Resume Review process.

Your final rating will be based on a Structured Resume Review conducted by Subject Matter Experts (SME). This Structured Resume Review requires that candidates resume must demonstrate the competencies noted below:

  • Real Estate
  • Negotiation
  • Contracting/Procurement
  • Problem Solving
  • Planning and Evaluating

Failure to demonstrate sufficient detail in the body of your resume may impact your final rating. Please note you are not required to provide specific narrative responses to the skills and competencies described in this section. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview.

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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