Supervisory CBP Officer (Assistant Port Director)

Customs and Border Protection • El Paso, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a GS-15 supervisory law enforcement position with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations, El Paso Field Office, Passenger Inspection Division. The position directs and manages law enforcement programs that support homeland security and help detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering or exiting the United States. The stated salary range is $152,040 to $197,200 (GS-15, Steps 1–10).

The Assistant Port Director manages port operations and a highly skilled work unit, including first responders, and oversees cargo- and passenger-related programs, processes, and facilities. The position involves managing programs through subordinate supervisors, resolving operational and employee conflicts, and ensuring the proper use of targeting systems, inspection equipment, radiation detection devices, and canine teams.

The role requires successful completion of required pre-academy, academy, and post-academy training. It also entails supervisory and leadership training, maintaining a Secret security clearance, wearing an approved uniform, possible rotation of assignments and duty locations, and compliance with a mobility agreement. Work may take place in offices, aircraft operations areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks, with outdoor work in varied weather and sometimes remote locations. Shift or rotational work and overtime beyond 40 hours may be required. Relocation expenses are paid according to applicable federal regulations and agency policy.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, including managing and overseeing port operations across multiple environments; applying laws and regulations related to admissibility, import/export compliance, anti-smuggling, and anti-terrorism; providing technical guidance and making admissibility and enforcement determinations; executing budgets and approving overtime; and supervising a large workforce through subordinate supervisors.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements; current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band by 10/23/2026.
• For applicants not currently employed by CBP, physical U.S. or protectorate residency for at least three of the last five years, subject to stated exceptions.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Ability to operate a government-owned vehicle and possession of a valid, non-restricted driver's license.
• Meet initial and continuing firearms qualifications and satisfy applicable firearm eligibility requirements.
• Pass applicable background investigation, drug testing, and polygraph requirements; current CBP law-enforcement employees may be treated differently for the polygraph requirement.
• Obtain and maintain a Secret national security clearance.
• Successfully complete required medical screening and, if applicable, the pre-employment fitness test.
• Attend and successfully complete approximately 7–10 days of 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 the assigned duty station, as required.
• Newly appointed GS-15 employees must complete mandatory leadership training, including five weeks of in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, within the first 90 days, unless waived; selectees may also be required to complete the Essential Supervisory Skills course.
• May be required to serve an 18-month supervisory probationary period.
• Must be willing to rotate assignments and duty locations and be subject to a mobility agreement.
• Must be available for shift or rotational work and scheduled or unscheduled overtime beyond the 40-hour work week.
• Wear an officially approved uniform while in duty status.
• Financial disclosure is required.
• All pre-employment processes are conducted in English.

Responsibilities

• Ensure full and proper use of Advanced Targeting Systems, non-intrusive inspection equipment, radiation detection devices, and canine enforcement teams.
• Manage a highly skilled and trained work unit that serves as first responders.
• Manage cargo- and passenger-related programs, processes, and facilities within the area of responsibility.
• Manage, through subordinate supervisors, significant programs crossing functional areas, including the Bid, Rotation and Placement program, on-site operational training programs, and Intelligence Driven Special Operations involving multiple locations and managers.
• Resolve conflicts involving subordinate CBP employees, travelers, or the importing public when subordinate supervisors cannot resolve them or when resolution requires deviation from operational policy.
• Oversee port operations, including the inspection and enforcement of persons, cargo, and conveyances at ports of entry.
• Provide technical guidance and make determinations regarding traveler and cargo admissibility, enforcement actions, and trade and security compliance.
• Execute budgets, approve overtime, and resolve operational conflicts between programs with competing priorities.
• Supervise a large bargaining-unit workforce through subordinate supervisors, apply performance standards and collective bargaining agreements, engage with union representatives, and address integrity and ethics concerns.
• Complete required academy, post-academy, leadership, and supervisory training, as applicable.
• Maintain access to data systems necessary to perform duties and maintain the required security clearance.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Fully funded relocation expenses in accordance with Federal Travel Regulation limits and agency policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed