Detection Enforcement Officer

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations located in Riverside, CA - Air and Marine Operation Center (AMOC); Herndon, VA - Capital Region Unit (CRU); and Levittown, PR - Caribbean Air and Marine Operation Center (CAMOC).

Duties

• Developing leads, gathering evidence and intelligence or potential criminal activity using the Department of Homeland Security Domain Awareness Network.
• Utilizing the Department of Homeland Security Domain Awareness Network to detect, identify, track and, as needed, facilitate the intercept and interdiction of suspected illicit activity in air, maritime, and land domains.
• Interpreting and analyzing intelligence data, operational reports, messages, and air, maritime, and tracking data.
• Utilizing various radio and telecommunications systems to coordinate operational activities.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $74,678.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $97,087.00 (GS-11, Step 10) with promotion potential to $116,362 (GS-12 Step 10). Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.

Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table.

Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level, and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• As an employee of CBP, your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. These rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.
• You may be required to obtain a Secret or higher level clearance for this position.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Providing support and analysis for investigative enforcement activities in coordination with Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials.
• Using airborne, maritime, or land-based sensor/radar systems to detect, identify, and intercept suspected illegal activity.
• Applying aeronautical and/or maritime terms based on operating airborne, maritime, or ground-based radars to read maps and charts.
• Interpreting and applying written guidelines and procedures to successfully conduct national security missions and/or provide written documentation for the purpose of providing supportable cases for presentation and/or prosecution.

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Education Substitution: A Doctoral degree or equivalent graduate degree, 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience required at this level. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 08/07/2026.

Additional Information

• Overtime: You must be readily available to work overtime on a scheduled or unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week.
• Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement, you may request an exception if you meet specific conditions (e.g., working for the U.S. Government, participation in a study abroad program, etc.).
• Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of their initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
• Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment. During the process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs, and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances.
• Assessment: This position requires an online assessment. The assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.