Air Interdiction Agent

About the role

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking skilled pilots for the Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) position. This role involves aviation-based law enforcement operations to detect, prevent, interdict, and apprehend terrorists, weapons, and other contraband.

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 and developing strategies to coordinate 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

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age Requirement: Maximum age for original appointment is 40, except for veterans with qualifying service.
• Veterans' Preference Eligibility: Proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) is required at the time of application.

Benefits

• Excellent pay range from $88,509 - $163,996 per year based on qualifications.
• Exceptional federal benefits including health, dental, and other insurance plans, generous annual and sick leave programs, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.
• Opportunities for promotion and career advancement within the GS-11, GS-12, and GS-13 grade levels.

Schedule

Location-specific schedules are based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs.

Pay

Salary ranges from $120,636 to $189,223 annually, depending on the duty location and retention incentive.

Application

To apply, fill out the Air Interdiction Agent applicant checklist and email it to a recruiter at cbp_amo_recruiting@cbp.dhs.gov along with a copy of your resume. Alternatively, apply on USAJOBS or Airline Apps. Stay updated by opting into CBP’s talent repository.