Customs and Border Protection Officer - Entry Level

Position Overview

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those interested in a career in law enforcement an exceptional opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America. As a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO), you will be part of a 60,000+ strong workforce dedicated to safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. This position offers great pay, benefits, and job stability – along with recruitment and retention incentives available at select duty locations.

Duty locations include various mission-critical sites nationwide. In some areas, you may be offered additional recruitment incentives based on service contract length and locality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture laws and regulations.
• Facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.
• Conducting inspections of individuals and conveyances.
• Determining the admissibility of individuals for entry into the United States.
• Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and curbing the smuggling of illegal drugs and contraband.

Required Qualifications

• Must qualify for the GS-5 level by demonstrating either a minimum of three (3) years of full-time general work experience, a bachelor's degree or a combination of college education and experience.
• For GS-7, candidates must possess one (1) year of specialized work experience, a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement, or a combination of graduate-level education and experience.
• Qualifications: Must be a U.S. Citizen with primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Requirements: Successfully complete a paid pre-academy orientation and a 101-day training program at the CBP Field Operations Academy.
• Meet age and other statutory requirements, including referral for selection before reaching the 40th birthday (with applicable exceptions for law enforcement or Veterans’ Preference eligibility).

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: GS-5 and GS-7 base salary ranges from $40,332 to $109,952 per year, plus locality adjustments and eligibility for up to $45,000 in overtime pay upon full training.
• Compensation: Recruitment incentives of up to $15,000 per year are available in designated locations for newly appointed CBPOs with service contracts ranging from three to four years.
• Benefits: Comprehensive federal employment benefits including health, dental, and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.