Air Interdiction Agent

About the role

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air Interdiction Agents are part of the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) component. They perform aviation-based law enforcement operations to detect, prevent, interdict, and apprehend terrorists, weapons, and other contraband and persons attempting to illegally enter or attack the United States.

Responsibilities

• Conducting air patrol, surveillance, and pursuit activities related to the interdiction of smuggled contraband via land vehicles, aircraft, or vessels.
• Making rapid decisions and developing strategies during in-flight operations.
• Evaluating information and using information systems to conduct information surveys, queries, update files, and disseminate information.
• Supporting search and rescue and humanitarian efforts.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications:

• A current FAA Commercial or ATP Pilot Certification with one of the following ratings: Dual Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument rating AND Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating. Airplane Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument. Helicopter Rated: Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating.
• 1500 total flight hours; up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours. 250 Pilot-in-Command hours; 75 Instrument hours; 75 Night hours (Flight Hour Waiver available).
• FAA Class 2 medical required for assessment dated within the last 12 calendar months.
• UAS Flight Hours: Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9), or Predator-based flight hours.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed.
• Ability to evaluate information rapidly and make judicious decisions during in-flight operations.
• Developing strategies and coordinating aircraft and ground assets.
• Using information systems and databases to conduct information surveys, queries, update files, and disseminate information.

Benefits

Salary ranges from $88,509 - $163,996 per year based on your qualifications for the GS-11 grade level and possible extra compensation based on your duty location. Recruitment Incentive: New hires may be eligible to receive a one-time Recruitment Incentive payout of $10,000 after completing Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy (FLETC). Retention Incentive: Retention Incentive is contingent on eligibility and is currently being waived by OPM through August 4, 2026.

Pay

GS-11, 1st year annual pay - $120,636
GS-12, 2nd year annual pay - $132,606
GS-13, 3rd year annual pay - $157,686

Schedule

Locations are offered based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs as determined by AMO. You must be willing to work at any duty location within the region you select.