CBP Officer (Port Officer-In-Charge)

Customs and Border Protection•Longview, WA

About The Position

This is a reassignment opportunity for a CBP Officer serving as Port Officer-In-Charge with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Portland Field Office, Area Port of Portland, located in Longview, Washington. The role is responsible for law enforcement activities that detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States. The position is GS-12, with a stated salary range of $99,111 to $128,847, including the special rate for the Portland locality pay area. The incumbent inspects and enforces laws governing people, merchandise, and conveyances at U.S. ports of entry; applies laws and regulations from more than forty federal agencies; and provides guidance to the public and trade community on CBP procedures and requirements. The work also includes assessing risk, examining and interviewing travelers and cargo, handling required documentation for other federal agencies, and coordinating with those agencies. Assignments may rotate, and work may involve shifts, overtime, uniforms, training, and outdoor or operational environments. Selectees must complete pre-academy training, 101 days of paid training at the CBP Field Operations Academy in Glynco, Georgia, and 14–17 weeks of post-academy training at their assigned duty station.

Requirements

Must currently serve or have previously served as a permanent GS-12 with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and currently serve or have served in the 1895 series within the last five years; applicants who held GS-1895-13 or higher and are willing to accept a lower grade may also be considered.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, including the experience described in the announcement.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Applicants not currently employed by CBP must have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years, subject to the stated waiver conditions.
Must undergo required pre-employment screening, including a background investigation and, where applicable, a polygraph examination; CBP follows DHS drug-testing procedures.
Must meet initial and continuing firearms qualifications and satisfy the firearms eligibility requirements described in the announcement.
Must be able to operate a government-owned vehicle and hold a valid, non-restricted driver's license.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET national security clearance.
Must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by October 30, 2026.
Must meet the applicable maximum-age requirement for original appointment, subject to stated exceptions and veterans' preference eligibility.
If not a current GS-1895 employee and selected, must meet medical and physical standards and successfully pass the pre-employment fitness test.
Must successfully complete required pre-academy, academy, and post-academy training.
Must wear an officially approved uniform while on duty.
Must be available for shift and rotational work if required, and scheduled or unscheduled overtime beyond a 40-hour work week.
Must be able to work in the described environments, including outdoor conditions and areas with limited facilities; protective clothing may be required.

Responsibilities

Inspect and enforce requirements for persons, merchandise, and conveyances at U.S. ports of entry to ensure legal entry and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the country.
Interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations of more than forty federal agencies.
Advise and assist the public and trade community on CBP policies and procedures, including immigration and document requirements, import/export changes or restrictions, overages or shortages, weight discrepancies, misdirected shipments, and possible merchandise seizures.
Target, inspect, and interview low- to high-risk, self-selected, and randomly selected persons, merchandise, conveyances, and cargo for contraband and regulatory compliance, with minimal or no supervisory guidance.
Process required documentation for other federal agencies and serve as a direct liaison with those agencies as needed.
Gather and analyze information from intelligence reports, open-source information, and law enforcement databases.
Exchange information with carriers, other agencies, and foreign entities, and provide guidance on admissibility and compliance.
Perform inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and law enforcement activities, including apprehension, detention, and arrest related to arriving and departing persons, conveyances, and merchandise at the port of entry.
Apply behavioral and cultural analysis and decision-making skills to assess risk, determine whether travelers and shipments may be released, and identify those requiring further scrutiny.
Develop, plan, and perform tactical operations in air, land, and sea cargo and passenger environments.
Maintain access to data systems necessary for duty execution.
Complete required pre-academy, academy, and post-academy training.