Duties

Summary

As our nation navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP is committed to delivering our mission to safeguard America's borders and enable legitimate trade and travel. Staffing mission critical positions remains a high priority. Be reassured that CBP is still hiring, despite potential hiring process step delays due to restrictions to in-person activities.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Office of Field Operations, Immigration Advisory Program in Washington, D.C..

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 United States. This position starts at a salary of $122,530.00 (GS-14, Step 01) to $159,286.00 (GS-14, Step 10) with promotion potential to $159,286 (GS-14 Step 10). Apply for this exciting opportunity to direct programs that strengthen the Department's ability to perform homeland security.

If going from a LEO Covered Position to a Secondary CBPO Special Enhanced Retirement Covered Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this secondary CBPO special enhanced retirement covered 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 CBPO Enhanced Retirement Coverage, please see the section on Retirement Coverage.

In this Supervisory CBP Officer (Program Manager) position you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals managing a variety of agency-wide law enforcement programs. Typical work assignments include:

• Managing one or more national programs in support of OFO operations. Provides program direction and support for a major Section, Branch, or comparable organizational entity. Exercises full authority to plan, organize, coordinate, control and evaluate the activities of subordinates.
• Determining goals and objectives that need additional emphasis; develops measures that evaluate performance; makes recommendations for program improvement; and manages all resources.
• When requested by higher-level supervisor/manager, serving as a liaison with high-ranking officials in other Federal agencies and managers in DHS. Other contacts include consultants, contractors, and/or business executives in the private sector.
• Managing the development, assignment, and higher level clearance of goals and objectives of subordinate
  organizational units.
• Practicing sound position management when assigning work, combining/separating duties, establishing and abolishing positions, and fulfilling other human resources management duties and responsibilities.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

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 pass the CBP Officer Promotional Assessment (including In-basket)
• If selected for this position, you should be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance

Qualifications

GS-14 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:

• Managing a professional, technical, and/or administrative program or program segment that had national impact and where you provided expert and authoritative advice on program issues to officials of other organizations.

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 CBP Officer Enhanced Retirement Requirement: The criterion is that knowledge, skill and ability in a position deemed to meet primary CBPO special retirement coverage is a mandatory prerequisite to satisfactorily perform the major duties and responsibilities of this job In order to meet the requirements of this secondary CBP Officer position you must have permanently served in a primary CBP Officer Special Enhanced Retirement covered position, i.e. Customs Inspector, GS-1890, Immigration Inspector, GS-1816, Canine Enforcement Officer, GS-1801, or CBP Officer, GS-1895.

Note: If you currently serve in a permanent secondary CBP Officer Enhanced Retirement covered position, you are exempt from this mandatory prerequisite.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, 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 09/29/2021.

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 more information visit this link .

Polygraph Examination: The SUPERVISORY CBP OFFICER (PROGRAM 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.

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.

If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards:
Physical and Medical Requirements: Because the duties of the position are of a strenuous nature and require a high degree of interaction and responsibility to the public, you must undergo and successfully pass our medical screening process. We will schedule, provide and pay for the required basic medical examination. For more information, go to https://www.cbp.gov/careers/frontline-careers/cbpo/app-proc

Physical Fitness Requirement: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test-1. Please see the Pre-employment Fitness Test-1 Readiness Program for additional information. This is a 6 week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness tests.

Education

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

Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment to this position. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within 12 months of assignment to this position.

Supervisory Training: All newly appointed, first-time permanent CBP Supervisors 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 SLT three (3) weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed. All first-time appointed supervisors, selected for this position, who have never completed a supervisory probationary period are required to successfully complete the Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS) course during their supervisory probationary period. Failure to successfully complete the ESS course within the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being removed from the position.

Retirement Coverage: This position has been identified as a secondary position as provided under the enhanced retirement provision of Public Law 110-161 for Customs and Border Protection Officers. Please see http://cbpnet.cbp.dhs.gov/HRM/Pages/cbp_faqs.aspx for requirements of secondary coverage. Information is also available by calling the CBPO Retirement Coverage toll-free hotline at 1-866-469-7359 or emailing questions to rabaservices@cbp.dhs.gov . If you are found qualified and eligible to occupy this position but do not meet the criteria to receive the enhanced retirement coverage, you will be covered under the FERS retirement system.

Additional information

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

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.

Uniform: This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.

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.

Basic Training: You may be required to attend approximately 18 weeks of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy (FLETC). Candidates selected for certain duty locations may receive an additional 6 weeks of Spanish language training.

Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution.

Shift work: You will be required to perform work on a shift and rotational basis.

Overtime: You must be readily available to work overtime on a scheduled or unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week.

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

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.

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.

Follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Twitter @CustomsBorder

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.

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/11222132

CBP Officer Promotional Assessment: Qualified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) candidates will be ranked on the basis of the scores received on your CBP Officer Promotional Assessment. Competitive applicants must have a valid test score when the announcement opens; otherwise, we cannot consider you for this position. Alternate Staffing Candidates (Non-Competitive candidates) need not have a current, valid test score. Alternate Staffing (Non-Competitive) candidates include applicants who have permanently held a position at the announced grade or higher.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs): Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements are required to possess certain Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, or Other Characteristics (KSAOs) to successfully perform the functions of this position. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their attainment of these KSAOs in their resume. The KSAOs are:

• Knowledge of Customs and Border Protection laws, regulations and precedents as well as CBP Officer processes, techniques, activities and law enforcement procedures to enforce and administer laws related to the arrival and departure of persons, conveyances and merchandise at a POE, and/or to manage a national program in direct support of OFO operations.
• Knowledge of the elements and circumstances of search, detention and arrest, as well as enforcement techniques and tools, such as selective enforcement, behavior observation, questioning, and use of automated processing and enforcement systems.
• Knowledge of analytical and evaluative methods, a broad and in-depth background and comprehensive experience in the principles of risk management.
• Knowledge of modern management techniques, methods, principles, and labor relations concepts.
• Knowledge of financial management principles needed to secure appropriate funds, prepare, justify and/or manage program budgets, use cost-benefit analysis to set priorities, and track expenses in support of the CBP mission suspected of illegal activity.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11222132

Your application record will remain in a pending status until after the announcement closes, at which time we will upload test scores. If you have completed the assessment questionnaire and have uploaded all required documents for this announcement, there is nothing further you need to do at this time.

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 eligibility on 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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

• Your resume : A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. *Note- It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11222132
• Are you a current or former federal employee? ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status: Tenure 1 or 2 in Block 24 and Position Occupied 1 in Block 34. Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher, AND a SF-50 to support having met the time-in-grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the grade level (or equivalent) below the grade level(s) for this position. Current CBP Employees are encouraged, but not required, to submit an SF-50(s) for CBP experience; however, additional SF-50(s) are required when using federal experience outside of CBP to receive credit towards the requirements above. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Position title
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
  • Agency
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment
• You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.