Search for new U.S. border protection officers

Inspecting more than a million travelers and 50,000 containers, apprehending more than 75 criminals, seizing more than 2,300 pounds of narcotics and intercepting more than 500 agricultural pests is just a typical day for U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at our nation’s ports of entry.

With funding allocated by the supplemental border security bill passed by Congress and signed by the president in August 2010, CBP is now accepting, for the CBP officer position, focusing on the critical need to ensure our nation’s security on the southwest border.

CBP officers use state-of-the-art technology and training at more than 330 ports of entry located at international airports, seaports and land borders throughout the United States, deterring illegal entry to our country, intercepting contraband, and interdicting agricultural pests and potential diseases. CBP is accepting applications for the officer position to be located at southwest border ports of entry in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

The primary responsibilities of a CBP officer are to protect the nation’s ports of entry by detecting and preventing terrorist and weapons of mass destruction from entering the U.S. while facilitating the orderly flow of legitimate trade and travelers. CBP officers perform the full range of inspection, passenger and cargo analysis, examination and law enforcement activities relating to revenue and trade, seizure of contraband, interdiction of agricultural pests and diseases and admissibility of persons.

These are full-time, uniformed positions starting at the GS-5 to GS-7 level that pay approximately $31,300 – $38,700 annually with the opportunity of making up to an additional $35,000 in overtime. Qualified applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 36 (waivers are accepted for qualified Veterans), have been a U.S. citizen for the past three years, have a valid driver’s license and pass a thorough background investigation, medical examination, fitness test and drug test.

The employment opportunity requires regular qualification and carrying of firearms, includes a generous benefits package and 17 – 19 weeks of paid training at the Field Operations Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga.

Applications must be filed on the USAJobs website and testing is available in various locations nationwide. (USAJobs CBPO Announcement) Additional information about the opportunity is available on CBP website.