OFO Reinstatement Opportunity

Customs and Border Protection; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites reinstatement applications for CBP Officer positions (GS-1895). Opportunities are available at various field offices nationwide, including Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, El Paso, Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tucson, and more.

The role centers on primary/secondary inspections, border security, and interagency collaboration. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, meet driver’s license and residency requirements, and complete CBP firearm

Qualifications

• Be a U.S. Citizen (Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service).
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Meet residency requirements in the last five years.
• Firearm qualification requirements and pre-employment process as outlined by CBP.

Responsibilities

• Conduct primary inspections of cargo, conveyances, and travelers to determine admissibility and referrals for secondary inspection.
• Perform secondary inspections through interviews, database queries, and coordination with other agencies.
• Identify and examine passengers and cargo to interdict threats and ensure compliance with export/import rules.
• Develop, plan and participate in tactical operations and communicate with internal and external partners.

Job description

An official website of the United States government

CBP OFFICER REINSTATEMENT OPPORTUNITY

Office of Field Operations (OFO) is currently soliciting interested candidates for reinstatement to the following position:

Position/Series/Grade(s): CBP Officer, GS-1895-XX

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Organization: Office of Field Operations

Location(s): The positions are with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the following locations:

• Boston Field Office - Coburn Gore/Jackman, ME
• Boston Field Office - Beecher Falls, VT
• Boston Field Office - Derby Line, VT
• Boston Field Office - Richford, VT
• Boston Field Office - Eastport/Lubec, ME
• Boston Field Office - Houlton, ME
• Boston Field Office - Madawaska, ME
• Boston Field Office - Van Buren, ME
• Boston Field Office - Vanceboro, ME
• Boston Field Office - Highgate Springs, VT
• Boston Field Office - Norton, VT
• Buffalo Field Office - Champlain, NY
• Buffalo Field Office - Massena, NY
• Buffalo Field Office - Trout River, NY
• Detroit Field Office - Detroit, MI
• El Paso Field Office - Presidio, TX
• Miami/Tampa Field Office - Key West, FL
• San Diego Field Office - Calexico, CA
• San Diego Field Office - San Ysidro, CA
• San Diego Field Office - Tecate, CA
• San Francisco Field Office - San Francisco, CA
• San Francisco Field Office - Honolulu, HI
• Seattle Field Office - Dunseith, ND
• Seattle Field Office - Grand Portage, MN
• Seattle Field Office - Oroville, WA
• Seattle Field Office - Pembina, ND
• Seattle Field Office - Portal, ND
• Seattle Field Office - Raymond, MT
• Seattle Field Office - Sweetgrass, MT
• Seattle Field Office - Blaine, WA
• Seattle Field Office - International Falls/Ranier, MN
• Tucson Field Office - Nogales, AZ
• Tucson Field Office - Douglas, AZ
• Tucson Field Office - Lukeville, AZ
• Tucson Field Office - San Luis, AZ

*Selection will be determined based on current vacancies, operational requirements and qualifications for the authorized locations listed above. All Applications received for this bulletin will be retained for one year and will be reevaluated upon availability of vacant billets.

Salary: Salary rates are based on the 2025 OPM Salary Charts and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.

Shift Work: This position requires regular and recurring shift work. You must be willing and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations.

Overtime: You must be readily available to work overtime on a scheduled or unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week.

Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution.

Who May Apply:

Former CBP Officers:

Former CBP Officers who have been separated from OFO:

• Must meet eligibility for reinstatement as defined by 5 CFR 315.401.
  • eCFR :: 5 CFR 315.401 – Reinstatement.
• Must have passed the basic training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and post-Academy prior to leaving CBP.
• Must have successfully completed the requirements of a probationary or trial period.
• Must have satisfactory or pass performance appraisals during the last three years of federal employment.
• Must have been separated at the applicant’s choice with no disciplinary action taken within the last three years of CBP employment and with no disciplinary proceeding pending.
• Must have held a competitive permanent position with the Full Performance Level of GS-12.

Current Federal Employees:

• Former CBP Officers, who are currently still employed with the federal government and do not have a break in service.

Duties:

Being a CBP Officer makes you a valuable member of the Office of Field Operations to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering into the U.S. Typical assignments include:

• Conducting primary inspections of cargo, conveyances, and travelers to determine admissibility, alienage, citizenship and the need for referral to secondary inspection for further intensified inspection at Ports of Entry (POE) utilizing behavioral and cultural analysis.
• Conducting secondary inspections of referrals from primary inspections through interviews, additional database queries, communication with other law enforcement agencies, and use of technology at the POE.
• Identifying, targeting, controlling and examining passengers and cargo leaving the United States to ensure the mission objectives of interdicting terrorists and instruments of terror, and compliance with export requirements.
• Developing, planning and participating in tactical operations.
• Communicate and interact with internal components, other law enforcement agencies, foreign entities, and carriers.

Requirements:

Basic Eligibility:

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen (Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service).
• Have a valid driver’s license.
  • Meet the maximum age of entry: Pursuant to Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers which allows for the imposition of a maximum age requirement. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03, the day before an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a Customs and Border Protection Officer.
  • NOTE: The CBP Commissioner has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age to 40 for original placement into a CBP Officer position. You must meet this age requirement unless the criterion below applies:
    • 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 recent decision of Isabella v. Dept. of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veteran's 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.
• Have resided in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years ( Residency Requirement Exceptions )
  • If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) 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 of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government.
    • Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, consultant, or an intern for the U.S. Government.
    • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university.

*If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.

Qualifications:

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess the following:

One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Examples include conducting assessment and inspections and enforcing CBP laws related to the arrival and departure of persons, conveyances and merchandise.

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following:

One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Examples include applying a comprehensive range of Federal laws, rules, regulations and procedures relating to inspection, inspection related investigations and compliance activities governing the admission of travelers or the import/export of cargo in and out of the United States.

Firearm Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.

Additional Information:

Former CBP Officer applicants are required to meet all pre-employment requirements that are applicable for the position.

• Polygraph Examination: You will be required to take a polygraph exam and must have favorable results to continue in the pre-employment process. For more information and videos about the polygraph process, please see Polygraph Examination . NOTE: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. Certain veterans may be eligible for a polygraph waiver.
• Background Investigation: You will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention in this position. For more information, please see The Background Investigation - CBP Hiring Process .
• Interview: You may be required to pass a face-to-face structured interview.
• Medical/Physical 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, visit here for the specific requirements.
• Drug Testing Requirements: You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the Agency's Drug-Free Workplace Program. Visit our Drug Testing FAQs for more information.
• Physical Fitness Screening: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please see Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test for additional information.
• Office of Field Operations Academy Basic Training: You will be required to attend and successfully complete 101-days of basic training at the CBP Field Operations Academy (FOA), unless you have been separated for less than three years at the time of entry on duty. Prior to arriving at the FOA, you must complete 7-10 days of pre-academy training and an additional 14-17 weeks of post-academy training at your duty station.

Bargaining Unit: The position of CBP Officer is covered under the bargaining unit.

Uniform: This position requires you to wear an officially approved uniform while in a duty status.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

The United States government does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy:

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace, or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations: When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete for a job; when an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to gain access to the workplace; and when an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to enjoy equal access to benefits and privileges of employment (e.g., details, trainings, office-sponsored events).

Point of Contact:

Questions may be directed to Office of Field Operations, Human Capital Division by email at [e-mail].