This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP). LEAP is an additional compensation of 25% of the base salary and locality pay. See additional pay information in the Duties section. Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations.
This position has a selective factor, as a minimum qualification requirement all candidates must have a qualifying Merchant Mariner Credential. See the U.S. Coast Guard Issued Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) section that is listed below for qualifying capacities. You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Independently applies advanced skill in controlling/commanding law enforcement scenes to include conducting searches, making arrests, processing arrests and seizure of evidence and property. Conducts investigative inquiries using various techniques, examining files and records, physical and documentary evidence to identify logical conclusions. Utilizes cameras and other electronic high-tech surveillance equipment to gather evidence, collect, evaluate, and then preserve that physical and documentary evidence. Highly skilled in writing comprehensive arrest, criminal and incident reports Assists government or state attorneys in preparation for court cases or grand juries, testifies as a law enforcement officer in court proceedings, and administrative forums. Considerable experience applying arrest authorities and constitutional law in various alleged criminal situations, or knowledge and experience of CBP laws, regulations, policies, legal precedent. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. OR GS-11 Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. OR Combining Experience and Education: A combination of successfully completed post-bachelors education(above) and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. If education is used for your qualification, official transcript will be required upon selection. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify for positions at grades GS-11. AND U.S. Coast Guard Issued Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC): You must submit a valid, legible copy of your Merchant Mariner Credential at time of application. Your copies must include the expiration and capacity pages of your MMC. Qualifying Capacities are: Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV), Mate of 200 gross tons or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans), Chief Mate, Second Mate, and Third Mate Unlimited Oceans or Master of 25 GRT or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans) -or- An Issued MMLD: You must submit proof of an issued MMLD, and a credential status that is in a unexpired standing. *It cannot be pending additional information for MMLD application process.*You must have your Official MMC Credential issued at the time of scheduling and at assessment appointment. Don't have an MMC? See what it takes to get one by viewing Application Acceptance Checklist at this link. You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 02/28/2025. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Polygraph Examination: The Marine Interdiction Agent position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination. Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package. Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package. 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 Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period. Further questions regarding the Marine Interdiction Agent position can be sent to the AMO Recruiters at CBP_AMO_Recruiting@cbp.dhs.gov Serve as a Marine Interdiction Agent (MIA) performing Marine Law Enforcement operations for the detection, prevention, interdiction, and apprehension of terrorists, terrorist weapons, and other contraband and persons from illegally entering or attacking the United States. Your duties will include: Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities. Interpreting radar data to calculate appropriate intercept while tracking vessels and people to a successful interdiction. Searching persons, vessels, baggage, and cargo for contraband or weapons incidental to detention or arrest. Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-11, GS-12 & GS-13. You may be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level automatically (without re-applying) once you complete 52-weeks at each grade level, received supervisory approval, and possess the required licensing and certifications for that grade level. It is expected that all career Journeymen obtain the full performance level of GS-13. Licensing and certifications requirements for promotion to the next higher grade level are possession of a USCG MMC with one of the following capacities: GS-11 (OUPV, Mate, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, Master). GS-12 (Master or Offshore Vessel Commander); successful completion of the Tactical Boarding Officer (TBO) course AND the initial certification training for Vessel Commander (VC) at the National Marine Training Center (NMTC). GS-13 Master or Higher (Mate, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate) license of any tonnage or higher , 1 year of qualifying law enforcement experience AND the CBP Interceptor Vessel Commander (VC) certification with designation at the CBP National Marine Training Center (NMTC). The compensation acronyms used below are: LEAP: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (25% Everyone) RI: Recruitment Incentive (25% for Caribbean Locations) Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Fajardo, PR, and St. Thomas, VI)(RUS + LEAP + RI) GS-11 1st year annual pay - $110,909 GS-12 2nd or 3rd year annual pay - $132,931 GS-13 3rd year of annual pay - $158,075 Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Key West and Marathon, FL)(Locality Salary Table + LEAP) GS-11 1st year annual pay - $98,431 GS-12 2nd or 3rd year annual pay - $117,979 GS-13 3rd year of annual pay - $140,293 Recruitment Incentive (RI):Upon Entrance on Duty (EOD) in Caribbean Air and Marine locations, you may be eligible to receive a Recruitment Incentive, pending budgetary approval and per the terms outlined in agency policy. The Caribbean Incentive is 25 percent of an employee's annual salary. Duty Locations: A duty location will be offered after successful completion of the pre-employment process. The duty location listed in the final offer letter may include any geographic location within the Northern Border Region, Southwest Region, Southeast Region or Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. Current possible duty locations include: Southeast Region: Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Marathon, FL and the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB): Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce, and San Juan, PR, and Saint Thomas, VI. Northern Border Region: Bellingham WA *Your opportunity for final selection is increased based on your flexibility to Enter on Duty at priority duty location* Limited Duty Locations as of 02/1/2025 - Applying to this JOA does not guarantee any of the locations listed below will still be available once you've completed the pre-employment process. Locations are offer based on the current needs of the service at that time. Southeast Region: Houma, LA. Southwest Region: Brownville, TX. Northern Region: Port Huron, MI.