Customs and Border Protection Officer
About the role
Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employs more than 69,000 people and is the world’s largest law enforcement organization and the largest federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. Discover a challenging and rewarding career with the sole agency responsible for securing the nation’s borders from terrorism, human/drug smuggling, illegal migration, agricultural pests, and enforcing legitimate travel and trade. CBP employees exemplify the core values of Vigilance, Service to Country, and Integrity. As a CBPO you will be a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. CBP is urgently hiring full‑time, entry‑ and mid‑level career positions where education or prior general experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement may qualify. Along with excellent base pay, exceptional federal employment benefits, and job stability, CBP offers additional recruitment and retention incentives.
Responsibilities
- Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture law and regulations
- Enforcing the flow of legitimate trade and travel
- Conducting inspections of individuals and conveyances
- Determining the admissibility of individuals for entry into the United States
- Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship
- Primary U.S. residency (including protectorates) for at least three of the last five years
- Age restriction: candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday (exceptions for current/former federal civilian law enforcement covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 8412(d), and for Veterans’ Preference eligible applicants)
- Veterans’ Preference: eligible for excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA); age restriction does not apply if VRA eligible
- Formal training: after hire, detailed to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA for 103‑days of intensive instruction in basic law enforcement skills, immigration laws, etc.; successful completion required
- Possible Spanish training requirement for certain duty locations
- Applicants selected at the GS‑5 or GS‑7 grade levels must complete and pass the CBP Officer Entrance Exam
Qualifications
GS‑5: Qualify with one of the following:
• Experience: minimum 3 years of general experience, 1 year equivalent to at least GS‑4, involving meeting and dealing with people and learning/applying a body of facts;
• Education substitution: conferred bachelor’s degree or successful completion of a full 4‑year course of study in any field from an accredited college/university;
• Combination of experience and education