CBPO (Headquarters Programs)

About the role

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Operations Directorate located in Washington, DC.

What you will do

• Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to manage one or more national programs in order to help to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering/exiting the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to direct programs that strengthen the Department's ability to perform homeland security This position starts at a salary of $125,158.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $162,708.00 (GS-13, Step 10).
• Salary above includes Special Rate for Customs and Border Protection Officer positions in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality pay area.
• Typical duties include: Overseeing headquarters field operations and the enforcement/facilitation examination continuum related to preventing the illegal entry of terrorists and their associates, smuggling, fraud, criminality, contraband, and other enforcement efforts.
• Determining areas needing additional emphasis, developing performance measures, evaluating results, making recommendations for program improvement, and managing all assigned resources.
• Serving as a subject-matter expert (SME) CBP Officer and principal headquarters liaison to other federal agencies and to DHS and CBP managers, including Directors of Field Operations, Port Directors, International Attachés, trade partners and stakeholders, contractors, business executives, and National Targeting Center watch commanders Interpreting policies originating from Congress, DHS, and CBP senior management, and develop simplified, clear, and concise guidance to disseminate to field leadership.
• Reviewing, validating, and approving field targeting rules, inspectional protocols, and enforcement action plans involving counterterrorism, counter-proliferation, narcotics, currency, weapons, and intellectual-property-rights violations, ensuring alignment with the National Targeting Center and National Security Presidential Directives.
• Interpret policies originating from Congress, DHS, and CBP senior management, and develop simplified, clear, and concise guidance to disseminate to field leadership.
• Providing expert direction and guidance to CBP field locations and other law enforcement agencies If going from a LEO Covered Position to a Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for Law Enforcement Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
• For further information on the Secondary CBPO Enhanced Retirement Coverage, please see the Qualifications section If going from a Primary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position to a Secondary CBPO SRC Position and you have less than 3 years in a Primary CBPO SRC Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for CBP Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or covered under your applicable non-special retirement system depending upon previous service.
• For further information on the Secondary CBPO SRC, please see the Qualifications section.

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 and/or polygraph CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures You must have taken the required CBP Officer Promotional Assessment component and have a passing Total Score Firearm Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.
• An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U.
• S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle.
• A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Briefings and Taskings Division (BTD) The Briefings and Taskings Division (BTD) ensures Executive Leadership receives decision-ready information through daily briefings and manages an auditable, records-compliant tasking pipeline for the Operations Directorate.

Field Liaison Division (FLD) The Field Liaison Division (FLD) serves as a vital link between headquarters, other government partners, and the field dedicated to providing strategic guidance and operational updates, timely situational awareness, and proactive support to OFO field offices.

Emergency Response Division (ERD) The Emergency Response Division aims to enhance OFO's readiness by focusing on planning and preparedness efforts that ensure the continuity of mission-essential functions, fostering a resilient organization capable of responding to planned events and all-hazard incidents.

Enforcement Operations Division (EOD) The Enforcement Operations Branch was created to enhance the planning and preparation of effective operations across various operational environments. As a specialized division, EOD is dedicated to developing, coordinating, supporting, and monitoring all national-level enforcement operations within OFO.

Use of Force Branch (UOF) The Use of Force Branch, integrated within EOD, provides oversight, guidance, and policy development related to the application of force by personnel in the field to include analyzing use of force incidents, ensuring compliance with legal and policy standards, developing training programs, and advising leadership on operational strategies to minimize risks while maintaining public safety and operational effectiveness.

National Canine Enforcement Programs (NCEP) The National Canine Enforcement Program, integrated within EOD, involves overseeing the strategic direction, management, and operational support of canine teams deployed across the nation with responsibilities to include developing policies and procedures, coordinating training programs, ensuring compliance with national standards, managing resource allocation, and evaluating program effectiveness.

It serves as a central point for advancing innovative practices and maintaining the operational readiness of canine teams nationwide.

How you will be evaluated

You will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which you claim in the job questionnaire AND you must provide the supporting documentation. You will not be considered for Eligibilities for which you did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. ***

A series of vacancy questions will be used to determine your eligibility. If you meet those basic requirements, your application package may be referred to management for selection consideration. Falsification of your application will remove you from consideration and could subject you to disciplinary action.

You will be ranked on the basis of the scores received on your Promotional Assessment.

You must have a current, valid score by 10/28/2026 if you have not held the GS-13 on a permanent basis, or if you have been demoted due to performance or conduct reasons.

You do not need to have a current, valid test score if you have permanently held a position at the GS-13 or higher. Your application record will remain in a pending status until after the announcement closes, at which time we will upload test scores.

The following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) needed to perform this job are: Knowledge of CBP regulations, policies, procedures, and relevant court decisions related to admissibility, control, entry and export of merchandise, and the import/export requirements of other agencies.

Knowledge of CBP targeting rules, inspectional protocols, and enforcement action plans related to counterterrorism, counter-proliferation, narcotics, currency, weapons, and intellectual-property-rights violations, and of the CBP intelligence cycle.

Ability to utilize systems analysis, statistical sampling, and management review techniques, to assess and improve operational program effectiveness, evaluate achievement of goals and cost-effectiveness of implemented methods, and identify areas needing enhancement. Knowledge of operational programs, intelligence components, and administrative personnel.

Skill in the planning and coordination of projects, while performing liaison duties with other CBP elements, DHS, other federal agencies, and state and local law enforcement. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. Information about CTAP eligibility can be found here. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

Documents you must provide

• A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed.
• A resume in English is required.
• It must contain your full legal name, phone number, relevant, work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable).
• For additional required items, see the link.
• It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality.
• Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords. *Note: Limit your resume to no more than two pages.
• The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire: *** Are you a current or former federal employee?
• ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status: Tenure 1 or 2 in Block 24 and Position Occupied 1 in Block 34.
• Additionally, you should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher, AND a SF-50 to support having met the time-in-grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the grade level (or equivalent) below the grade level(s) for this position.
• Current CBP Employees are encouraged, but not required, to submit an SF-50(s) for CBP experience; however, additional SF-50(s) are required when using federal experience outside of CBP to receive credit towards the requirements above.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)?
• You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
• Submit a copy of your initial and termination SF-50s.
• You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Benefits

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to 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 and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting 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 who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was 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

What to expect next

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. The open period for this job opportunity announcement may be extended to allow for a sufficient applicant pool.

Once the job opportunity announcement has closed, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. You will be notified by email after each of these steps has been completed.

Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts with your USAJOBS account. If you are referred, you will receive a final notification of the disposition of the announcement. We expect to make a tentative job offer within 60 days after the close of the announcement.

If you are selected, we may conduct a suitability/security background investigation. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty.

False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring.

These authorities are subject to change.

Additional information

Prior Experience in a primary CBPO Officer position is a mandatory prerequisite. Rotation of Assignments/Duty Locations: You may be required to rotate assignments and duty locations. Uniform: This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.

Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices, aircraft operation areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities.

The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respirators. Training: This position has a training requirement.

Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete 89 days of paid training at the CBP Field Operations Academy in Glynco, GA. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment.

Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.

Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution. Shift work: You may be required to perform work on a shift and rotational basis. Overtime: You must be readily available to work overtime on a scheduled or unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week.

Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707.

Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.

To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.