Supervisory CBP Agriculture Specialist

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, New York Field Office, located in Queens, NY.

What you will do

• Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen Homeland Security by performing law enforcement activities that enforce the laws and regulations related to the import and export of agriculture, commodities and baggage entering and/or exiting the United States.
• This position starts at a salary of $125,431.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $163,062.00 (GS-13, Step 10).
• In this first-line supervisory position you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals detecting and preventing terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the U.S. Typical work assignments include: Overseeing the full and proper use of all available automated systems Providing guidance and training, communicating intelligence and enforcement information, disseminating new procedures and policy changes to direct reports, and ensuring work is performed so that legitimate traveling and importing public will experience as little delay as possible Making recommendations regarding significant internal and external program and policy issues regarding the management of agriculture operations at the port of entry to address regulatory changes and complexities in politics, media attention, public perception, and impact to the economy Monitoring and evaluating employee work production Establishing the unit area of responsibility and setting priorities and deadlines on major projects CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity.
• Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at ***

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, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards.
• Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes.
• Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties.
• Please review further details via the following link.
• 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. Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process.

Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.

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.

How you will be evaluated

Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation.

Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. *** After CBP completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components.

During the application process, you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results to be shared. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements. You will be ranked on the basis of the scores received on your Promotional Assessment.

You must have a current, valid score by 09/16/2026 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. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements.

If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an assessment questionnaire.

This self-assessment will be used to assess the following competencies or KSAs: Knowledge of biological and agricultural science programs, activities, and regulations Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing the importation and movement of passengers, baggage, conveyances, mail, and cargo Knowledge of a wide range of analytical and evaluative methods Knowledge of current management and organizational principles and practices that will be applied during supervisor duties Ability to carry out and lead studies by applying advanced analytical and statistical methods and techniques If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview.

As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager. Preview the job questionnaire *** Failure to demonstrate sufficient detail in the body of your resume may impact your final rating.

Please note you are not required to provide specific narrative responses to the skills and competencies described in this section. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. 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. *Note- 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, applicants 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 an 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.
• Your transcripts: All applicants are required to submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution.
• If you are a current CBP employee within the position series announced, transcripts will not be required at the time of application; however, education will be verified if you are selected and you may be required to submit transcripts at that time.
• Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials.
• Note: If submitting documentation of an evaluation, transcripts are still required.
• For a listing of some accrediting agencies see NACES | Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members.
• See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
• 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.

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. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.

Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. 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

Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18-month probationary period upon appointment.

Supervisory Training: All newly appointed, first-time permanent CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training.

The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include three weeks of in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

All first-line appointed supervisors, who have never completed a supervisory probationary period are required to successfully complete the Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS) course during their supervisory probationary period.

Failure to successfully complete the ESS course within the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being removed from the position.

Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required. Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution.

Rotation of Assignments/Duty Locations: Applicants may be required to rotate assignments and duty locations. Uniform: You will be required to wear an officially approved uniform while in a duty status. Training: This position has a training requirement.

Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete a total of 10 weeks of paid training by the US Department of Agriculture and CBP Field Operations Academy in a combination of virtual and residential formats. This is followed by 10 weeks of post-academy training at the selectee(s) assigned duty station.

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.

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.