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 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.
• Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
• Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence.
• Supporting search and rescue and humanitarian efforts.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications include:

• 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.
• 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 of 40 for original placement into an Air Interdiction Agent position (approved by the Commissioner of CBP).
• Veterans' Preference Eligibility: Creditable law enforcement officer service may be applied toward the maximum age requirement.

Benefits

The position offers competitive pay, including a Special Salary Rate (SSR), Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP), Recruitment Incentive, and Retention Incentive. Benefits include health, dental, and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and 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. Recruitment Incentive is available for new hires, and Retention Incentive is contingent upon eligibility.

Schedule

Duty locations are offered based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs. Positions are available in various regions including Southeast, Southwest, and NASOC UAS sites.