Air Interdiction Agent

About the role

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) seeks skilled pilots for the role of Air Interdiction Agent (AIA). This position offers an exciting career with competitive pay, exceptional federal benefits, and job stability.

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.

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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must have had primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• The maximum age for original appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within DHS is 40, with a temporary increase to 40 for Air Interdiction Agent positions.
• You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.

Benefits

• Includes Special Salary Rate (SSR); Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP); Recruitment Incentive; and Retention Incentive.
• Retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k).
• Health, dental, and other insurance plans.
• A generous annual and sick leave program.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Pay

Starting salaries range from $120,636 to $189,223 annually, depending on the duty location and grade level.

Schedule

Operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs determine duty locations.

Application

Apply through the Air Interdiction Agent applicant checklist, USAJOBS, or Airline Apps. Opt into CBP’s talent repository for updates.