Information Technology Specialist (Policy Planning)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Information and Technology, Infrastructure and Support Services located in Ashburn, VA. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the listed duty locations.

Duties

Joining Customs and Border Protection, Office of Information and Technology will allow you to use your expertise in Information Technology (IT) principles, concepts, and methods to support IT systems and services.

• Advising senior leadership on a variety of administration and policy issues of interest to DHS and CBP officials.
• Presenting technically sound proposals and options for dealing with policy and highly sensitive operational issues.
• Developing, evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting technical and program management policies to resolve complex problems that impact CBP and OIT.
• Making recommendations for improvement or implementation on a variety of technical programs.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $169,279.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $197,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10).

Visit the locality pay tables by geographic area. If your geographic area is not 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. Visit the special pay rate charts for more information.

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 ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, including criminal conflict of interest statutes. You will need to obtain 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.
• Financial Disclosure is required.
• This position is not covered under a bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer Service - Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others and responds appropriately.
• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

You qualify for this position if you meet the basic requirement and possess one year of specialized experience as described below:

GS-15: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Conducting rigorous oversight of agency activities to verify compliance with regulatory frameworks and internal directives, mitigating operational risk.
• Facilitating the planning and execution of inter-organizational task forces, ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical objectives.
• Contributing to the formulation of strategic goals and implementation roadmaps, ensuring alignment with long-term agency mission requirements.

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet these requirements, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, and any applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 08/07/2026.

Background Investigation

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding:

• Any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges.
• The use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy).
• The use of non-prescribed controlled substances including experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

Residency

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals must 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 one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military.
• A dependent authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military working for the U.S. government.
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university.
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant, or volunteer supporting the U.S. government.

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 also be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Additional Information

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country, and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values, and careers.

Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people with disabilities may be eligible for special hiring authorities. Documentation supporting eligibility must be provided prior to the closing date of this announcement.