Supervisory Air Interdiction Agent

Customs and Border Protection•San Diego, CA

About The Position

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations. The role is intended for an experienced Air Interdiction Agent who will serve in a supervisory capacity, participating with higher-level officials in administering, managing, and planning the agency’s aviation program. The work applies pilot and law enforcement knowledge and skills. Duty locations include Key West, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; Conroe, Texas; Old Town, Maine; San Diego, California; Manassas, Virginia; and Deming, New Mexico. The position is graded GS-14, with a stated salary range of $149,071 to $193,798. The listed salary reflects the rest-of-U.S. scale and may be adjusted for locality pay or a special rate applicable to the duty location and position. The role is a secondary law enforcement position subject to mandatory retirement provisions under applicable CSRS and FERS rules. Employees must meet the stated service and continuity conditions to qualify for special retirement coverage in a secondary position. The selectee will oversee aviation enforcement operations and personnel in support of national security and border protection. The position requires a current qualifying pilot certificate and medical certificate, documented flight experience, and one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level. It also entails law enforcement screening and employment conditions, including a background investigation, a required polygraph for applicable applicants, a mobility agreement, availability for unscheduled work beyond 40 hours per week, travel as required, wearing an approved uniform while on duty, and operating a government-owned vehicle. Newly appointed first-time CBP supervisors must complete mandatory leadership training unless previously completed.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
For applicants not currently employed by CBP, physical U.S. or U.S. protectorate residency for at least three of the last five years, subject to stated waiver conditions.
A current FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with airplane single-engine and multi-engine land and instrument ratings, or rotorcraft helicopter and instrument ratings; appropriate U.S. military ratings or qualifying certificates meeting or exceeding the commercial certificate requirements may be substituted.
A current FAA Class II Medical Certificate is acceptable for current CBP Air Interdiction Agents. For initial entry or re-entry, a Class II certificate may be used for application, but a Class I certificate is required by the interview.
A documented flight log showing at least 1,500 total flight hours, 75 instrument hours, 75 night hours, and 250 pilot-in-command hours.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, including relevant aviation interdiction mission direction, aviation enforcement program management, multi-agency coordination, aviation enforcement expertise, technology and intelligence use, and personnel and training management.
Meet all qualification and applicable education requirements, subject to verification, and meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by October 20, 2026; current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in federal service.
Successfully completed relevant Federal Law Enforcement Training Center training before entry into the position.
Ability to operate a government-owned vehicle and a valid, non-restricted driver's license.
Readiness to work on an unscheduled basis in excess of a 40-hour work week under Law Enforcement Availability Pay.
Willingness to sign a mobility agreement, travel as required, and wear an officially approved uniform while in duty status.
Ability to meet medical standards and physical requirements for the position; these may include vision, hearing, and lifting requirements.
Pass required pre-employment processes, which are conducted in English, including a background investigation and, where applicable, a favorable polygraph examination; may be required to obtain a Secret or higher security clearance.
Comply with federal ethics requirements, including obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity where required; financial disclosure is required.
New federal employees must serve a one-year probationary period. An 18-month supervisory probationary period may also be required.
Newly appointed first-time CBP supervisors must complete mandatory leadership training within the first 90 days of appointment, including three weeks of in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, unless previously completed or waived.

Responsibilities

Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of aerial surveillance and interdiction missions, ensuring alignment with agency priorities and policies.
Lead and manage aviation enforcement operations in support of national security and border protection objectives.
Provide strategic direction to subordinate managers and enforcement personnel, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure adherence to operational standards.
Act as a senior liaison between DHS and federal, state, and local agencies, fostering interagency collaboration and coordinating joint enforcement efforts against transnational threats.
Contribute to the formulation and implementation of aviation enforcement policies, procedures, and safety protocols at the organizational level.
Oversee personnel management, including recruitment, training, performance evaluations, and professional development.
Direct large-scale aerial surveillance and interdiction missions to detect and disrupt transnational criminal activities.
Manage aviation enforcement programs, operational planning, and compliance with federal aviation regulations and agency directives.
Lead multi-agency enforcement efforts and serve as a subject matter expert on aviation enforcement strategies.
Implement advanced aviation technologies and analyze complex intelligence data to identify emerging threats and advise senior leadership on strategic responses.
Manage personnel at multiple levels, oversee training programs and performance evaluation, and ensure operational readiness and safety across aviation enforcement activities.