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) team. They play a crucial role in detecting, preventing, interdicting, and apprehending terrorists, terrorist 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 and judicious decisions during in-flight operations.
• Evaluating information and developing strategies for coordinated aircraft and ground assets.
• Using information systems and databases to conduct information surveys, queries, update files, and disseminate information.
• Performing aviation-based law enforcement operations, including flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in airplanes and helicopters.

Requirements

• 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.
• Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 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).
• 100 Flight hours in the last 12 months.
• FAA Class 2 medical required for assessment dated within the last 12 calendar months.
• UAS Flight Hours: Applicants may include UAS Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) flight hours and Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) or predator-based flight hours.

Qualifications

• Experience: One (1) year of specialized professional aviation experience performing duties such as flying 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.
• Certification & Ratings: 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.
• Flight Hours: 1500 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).
• Other Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen with at least three years of primary U.S. residency, and must be at least 21 years old.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and other insurance plans.
• A generous annual and sick leave program.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k).

Pay

Starting salaries range from $120,636 to $163,996 per year based on your qualifications for the GS-11 grade level and possible extra compensation based on your duty location (see below).

Schedule

Positions 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, including but not limited to Homestead, FL and CAMB: Aguadilla, PR, Tucson and Yuma, AZ; San Diego, CA; El Paso, Laredo, and McAllen, TX, NASOC UAS locations: Sierra Vista, AZ; San Angelo, TX.

Benefits

• Special Salary Rate (SSR)
• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)
• Retention Incentive
• Retirement benefits through the Thrift Savings Plan