MISSION SUPPORT SPECIALIST (FINANCE)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Spokane Sector, Mission Readiness Operations, located in Spokane, WA. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

In this position, you will assist in planning and carrying out a variety of administrative, budget, finance, research, and analytical duties that support mission readiness and program operations. Your work will directly support the agency mission by improving the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of financial, travel, purchasing, and administrative work products used to carry out program activities.

• Serving as a budget point of contact for assigned areas of responsibility, assisting with matters related to allocations, commitments, obligations, and expenditures.
• Executing routine purchases, conducting reconciliation, and maintaining records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Serving as an alternate travel preparer and supporting travel logistics, including preparation of travel authorizations.
• Reviewing travel authorizations and vouchers at the initial level for accuracy, completeness, and compliance before further approval or processing.
• Providing end-user support on travel system functionality and travel procedures, applying applicable travel regulations, policies, and guidance.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $40,948.00 (GS-5, Step 1) to $65,941.00 (GS-7, Step 10) with promotion potential to $80,662.00 (GS-9, Step 10).

GS Salary: 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.

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 conflict-of-interest statutes and CBP-specific rules.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.

Qualifications

GS-5 Grade Level: You qualify if you possess 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least a GS-4, performing duties such as:

• Maintaining tracking and filing systems for travel-related expenditures in accordance with established procedures.
• Reviewing and gathering financial and budget data needed to support budget requests and related analyses.
• Analyzing problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize practical solutions.
• Planning and organizing work to complete assignments accurately and within established timeframes.
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with supervisors, coworkers, and customers.

GS-7 Grade Level: You qualify if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Reviewing travel authorizations and vouchers in an automated travel system for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established procedures.
• Maintaining purchase-related records in accordance with established procedures.
• Assisting with purchases of office supplies, equipment, or services using a purchase card.
• Gathering and reviewing financial or budget data needed to support budget requests.

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

Education Substitutions

GS-5: Successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

GS-7:

• Graduate Education: Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of graduate education is typically 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): A bachelor's degree with SAA may substitute for the experience required. SAA is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (GPA 3.0 or higher out of 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits where pass/fail does not exceed 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review SAA criteria.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. 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.

Additional Information

• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps).
• You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, and Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent) by 08/28/2026.
• Political appointees must disclose their status and may require OPM authorization for employment offers.
• Background Investigation: All applicants must undergo a thorough background investigation, including questions about felony convictions, illegal drug use, and non-prescribed controlled substances. More details on the preemployment process.
• Residency Requirement: Applicants not currently employed by CBP must have physically resided in the U.S. or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions may apply for U.S. Government employees, dependents, study abroad participants, or contractors supporting the U.S. Government.
• New federal employees must serve a one-year probationary period.
• This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC). Local chapter contact information.