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 path with competitive pay, 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.
• 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, subject to a temporary increase by the Commissioner of CBP.
• Veterans' Preference Eligibility: Veterans with qualifying service may apply for veteran preference.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and other insurance plans.
• A generous annual and sick leave program.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan.

Pay

Starting salaries range from $120,636 to $163,996 per year based on qualifications and duty location. Additional incentives include a Recruitment Incentive of $10,000 after FLETC completion, Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), and Retention Incentive.

Schedule

Opportunities are offered based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs. Duties may require working at various locations within the Southeast, Southwest, and NASOC UAS regions.

Application

To apply, fill out the Air Interdiction Agent applicant checklist and email it to 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.