Air Interdiction Agent

About the role

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is seeking skilled pilots for the role of Air Interdiction Agent (AIA). This position offers a unique opportunity to join an elite team dedicated to protecting America.

Responsibilities

• Conducting air patrol, surveillance, and pursuit activities related to the interdiction of smuggled contraband via land vehicles, aircraft, or vessels.
• Making rapid evaluations and making prompt decisions during in-flight operations.
• Evaluating information rapidly and making judicious decisions promptly 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.
• Supporting search and rescue and humanitarian efforts.

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. Airplane Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument. Helicopter Rated: 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, see Required Documents); and 100 Flight hours in the last 12 months).
• FAA Class 2 medical required for assessment dated within the last 12 calendar months; FAA Class 1, FAA Class 2 or Military medical flight clearance dated within the last 12 months qualifies to start the pre-employment process for the AIA position.
• Applicants applying at 750 flight hours are required to obtain at least 1,000 flight hours (depending on the number of hours approved for a waiver) at their own expense before being able to attend the 3-part flight assessment.
• 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. These hours may be credited towards satisfying the "Total flight time" 1,500 flight hour requirement only.

Qualifications

• Certification & Ratings: 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.
• Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 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. Evaluating information rapidly and making judicious decisions promptly 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.
• Age Requirement: Provisions of Public Laws 93-350 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with DHS Management Directive 251-03, the "day before an individual's 37th birthday" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a primary law enforcement officer within DHS. The age requirement is also necessary to ensure that you are able to complete the 20 years of applicable service for retirement.

Benefits

• This career ladder position has a grade level progression of GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13. You may be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level automatically (without re-applying) once you complete 52 weeks at each grade level (with supervisor approval).
• The position offers a range of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k) offering.

Pay

• Starting salary includes Special Salary Rate (SSR); Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP); Recruitment Incentive; and Retention Incentive.
• Example of annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations which are currently authorized to receive LEAP (amounts below include the SSR + LEAP).
• 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

• Duty Locations: Locations are offered based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs as determined by AMO.
• Notably, seasoned pilots and those with military training are in demand–APPLY TODAY!