Air Interdiction Agent

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; McAllen (TX); On-site; USD 111,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive: $10,000

Retention incentive up to 25% (UAS/CA)

LEAP and SSR benefits

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seeks a skilled Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) pilot to conduct aviation-based law enforcement operations, interdiction of contraband, and suspect apprehensions.

The role supports national security with advanced training, field deployments, and coordinated air-ground missions. New hires may receive incentives, including recruitment payout after FLETA training and ongoing retention incentives, with a defined career ladder and LEAP/SSR benefits.

Qualifications

• FAA Commercial or ATP Pilot Certification with one of the following ratings: single-engine, instrument, and rotorcraft instrument.
• Experience as Captain/IPC/First Officer or similar pilot roles.
• Ability to operate in varied environments including night, poor weather, and challenging terrain.

Responsibilities

• Conduct air patrols, surveillance, and interdiction of contraband by air.
• Monitor suspect behavior and coordinate with ground assets.
• Collect and analyze strategic and tactical intelligence.
• Support search and rescue and humanitarian efforts.

Skills

Pilot-in-Command experience

Decision making under pressure

Aircraft coordination

Intelligence gathering

Job description

Pilot—CBP Air Interdiction Agent - New Hire Sign-On and Retention Incentives

NEW RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION INCENTIVES!

Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), offers skilled Pilots interested in law enforcement an opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission to protect America.

If you are looking for an exciting and rewarding career with excellent pay, exceptional federal benefits and job stability, now is the time to make your move: become an Air Interdiction Agent. AMO is actively recruiting for these full‑time security-based opportunities with a streamlined application process. Notably, seasoned pilots and those with military training are in demand–APPLY TODAY!

Duty Locations

• Southeast Region: Homestead, FL and CAMB: Aguadilla, PR
• Southwest Region: Tucson and Yuma, AZ; San Diego, CA; El Paso, Laredo, and McAllen, TX
• NASOC UAS locations: Sierra Vista, AZ; San Angelo, TX

Duties And Responsibilities

As an Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) you will perform aviation-based 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. Typical duties include:

• Conducting air patrol, surveillance, and pursuit activities related to the interdiction of smuggled contraband via land vehicles, aircraft, or vessels.
• Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
• Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence.
• Supporting search and rescue and humanitarian efforts.

Salary And Benefits

Begin your career as an Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) and make up to $88,509 - $163,996 per year based on your qualifications for the GS-11 grade level and possible extra compensation based on your duty location (see below). Recruitment Incentive: New hires may be eligible to receive a one-time Recruitment Incentive payout of $10,000 after completing Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy (FLETC) (1 year service agreement will need to be completed) (Recruitment Incentive is only available to new Federal employees. Eligibility will be determined by Human Resources). Your starting salary will include Special Salary Rate (SSR); Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP); Recruitment Incentive; and Retention Incentive.

This career ladder position has a grade level progression of GS-11, GS-12, and 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 (with supervisor approval).

Example of annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations which are currently authorized to receive LEAP (amounts below include the SSR + LEAP).

• GS-11, 1st year annual pay - $110,636
• GS-12, 2nd year annual pay - $132,606
• GS-13, 3rd year annual pay - $157,686

Example of annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations which are currently authorized to receive a 10% Retention Incentive (amounts below include the SSR + LEAP + 10% Retention Incentive UAS Sites: Sierra Vista, AZ; Grand Forks, ND; San Angelo, TX).

• GS-11, 1st year annual pay - $110,636
• GS-12, 2nd year annual pay - $159,127
• GS-13, 3rd year annual pay - $189,223

Retention Incentive

• RI: Retention Incentive (25% for UAS Sites, Sierra Vista, AZ, Grand Forks, ND, San Angelo, TX)
• RI: Retention Incentive (25% for Key West, FL)
• RI: Retention Incentive (25% for Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) and subordinate locations)

Air Interdiction Agents are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k) offering.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed.
• Evaluating information rapidly and making judicious decisions promptly during in-flight operations.
• Developing strategies and coordinating aircraft and ground assets.
• Using information systems and databases to conduct information surveys, queries, update files and disseminate information.
• Experience may include Operation of an aircraft as Captain, Pilot in Command, Aircraft Commander, First Officer, Certified Flight Instructor, Second in Command, or Co-pilot.

Hiring Minimums

Certification & Ratings: A current FAA Commercial or ATP Pilot Certification with one of the following ratings:

• Dual Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument rating AND Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating.
• Airplane Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument.
• Helicopter Rated: Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating.
• Equivalent military rating of the above at the time of application (eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot).

Flight Hours

Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 flight hours; (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours. 250 Pilot-in-Command hours; 75 Instrument hours; 75 Night hours (Flight Hour Waiver available, see Required Documents); and 100 Flight hours in the last 12 months This qualification requirement is currently being waived by OPM through August 4, 2026.

FAA Class 2 medical required for assessment dated within the last 12 calendar months; FAA Class 1, FAA Class 2 or Military medical flight clearance dated within the last 12 months qualifies to start the pre-employment process for the AIA position. Applicants applying at 750 flight hours are required to obtain at least 1,000 flight hours (depending on the number of hours approved for a waiver) at their own expense before being able to attend the 3-part flight assessment. Applicants must still meet 250 Pilot-in-Command, 75 instrument, and 75-night hours (100 flight hours in the last 12 months. This qualification requirement is currently being waived by OPM through August 4, 2026)

UAS Flight Hours

Applicants may include UAS Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) flight hours and Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) or predator-based flight hours. These hours may be credited towards satisfying the "Total flight time" 1,500 flight hour requirement only. UAS hours do not count towards the 250 flight hours as a Pilot in Command, 75 flight hours Instrument, and 75 flight hours Night. Flight hour logbooks will be required at the time of your Flight Assessment for verification.

Other Requirements

• Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.
• Age Requirement: Provisions of Public Laws 93-350 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with DHS Management Directive 251-03, the "day before an individual's 37th birthday" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a primary law enforcement officer within DHS. The age requirement is also necessary to ensure that you are able to complete the 20 years of applicable service for retirement.

NOTE: The Commissioner of CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age to 40 for original placement into an Air Interdiction Agent position.

Age Waiver: Creditable law enforcement officer service Covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) (as a Customs and Border Protection Officer) on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans' Preference Eligibility: To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its decision Isabella v. Dept of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans' preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. 3312. You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.

Training

This position has a training requirement. 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.

Travel Required

You may be expected to travel for this position based on operational needs.