Supervisory CBP Officer (Port Director)

Customs and Border Protection (DOHS); San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Flexible spending account

Paid holidays

EAP program

Job summary

Customs and Border Protection (DOHS) in San Diego, CA is seeking a Supervisory CBP Officer (Port Director) at GS-14. The role oversees port operations across locations, guides policy implementation, and supervises staff at a major port of entry. Travel is occasional; the appointment is full-time and permanent.

Salary ranges from $147,652 to $191,954 per year with promotion potential to GS-14. U.S. citizenship is required; pre-employment checks and firearm qualifications apply.

Qualifications

• 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13.
• Direct supervision of port operations and staff.
• Interpreting laws and regulations related to port functions.
• Experience supervising inspection, anti-terrorism, and related programs.
• Ability to train, communicate intelligence, and implement new procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervise operations in multiple locations at a large port of entry.
• Provide guidance on port policies and procedures to staff and stakeholders.
• Advise the public and trade on CBP policies and requirements.
• Manage port employees’ affairs and coordinate projects and investigations.
• Direct planning and execution of assignments to improve procedures.

Job description

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, San Diego Field Office, Port of San Diego, located in San Diego, California.

Overview

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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
San Diego, CA
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Work site options

Telework eligible: No

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Salary: $147,652 – $191,954 per year

Pay scale & grade: GS 14

Promotion potential: 14

Work schedule: Full-time

Travel Required: Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type: Permanent

Supervisory status: Yes

Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: Yes

Security clearance: Secret

Financial disclosure required: Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

Current U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are currently working in a permanent competitive service position within the local commuting area; Career Transition Assistance Plan CBP employees.

Duties

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP’s mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about
Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to manage one or more national programs in order to help to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering/exiting the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to direct programs that strengthen the Department’s ability to perform homeland security.

This position starts at a salary of $147,652.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $191,954.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

In this Supervisory CBP Officer (Port Director) position you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals managing a variety of law enforcement programs. Typical work assignments include:

• Supervising the operations conducted in multiple locations in one or multiple environments (air, land, and sea) at a large port of entry.
• Providing technical advice on laws and regulations governing port functions.
• Advising and assisting the public and trade community on CBP policies and procedures.
• Managing port employees’ affairs and operational concerns.
• Directing and providing guidance on the planning and execution of projects, assignments, studies and investigations to resolve operational problems and improve new procedures.

If going from a LEO Covered Position to a Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for Law Enforcement Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). For further information on the Secondary CBPO Enhanced Retirement Coverage, please see the Qualifications section.

If going from a Primary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position to a Secondary CBPO SRC Position and you have less than 3 years in a Primary CBPO SRC Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for CBP Officers, but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or covered under your applicable non-special retirement system depending upon previous service. For further information on the Secondary CBPO SRC, please see the Qualifications section.

This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement, as defined below:

• The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or
• The employee’s permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable
• For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location, the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year, the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• You must have taken the required CBP Officer Promotional Assessment component and have a passing Total Score
• 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.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver’s license is required.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
• Financial Disclosure is required.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Planning, directing, coordinating, assigning, organizing, and evaluating all work activities of subordinate supervisors and employees assigned to a port.
• Interpreting laws and regulations of a broad range of Federal, state, and local agencies, relating to the admissibility of people, cargo, and conveyances; international mail compliance; and arrival and departure of vessels and aircraft.
• Supervising, managing, or directing inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, anti-terrorism, and other law enforcement programs relating to the arrival and departure of persons, conveyances, and merchandise into the U.S.
• Managing efforts to intercept potential terrorists and instruments of terror and performing layered enforcement activities relative to counterterrorism.
• Providing guidance and training, communicating intelligence and enforcement information, disseminating new procedures and policy changes, and identifying areas of special emphasis.

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.

Additional information

Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment.

Leadership Training: All newly appointed second level Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 4 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

Selectees may be required to successfully complete the Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS) course. Failure to successfully complete the ESS course within the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being removed from the position.

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.

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

Shift work: You may be required to perform work on a shift and rotational basis.

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

Please view the video “Protecting America 24/7” to learn more about CBP’s Office of Field Operations.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

• DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
• Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.
• Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service‑connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Required documents

• Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, phone number, relevant, work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords. *Note: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13102628
• Are you a current or former federal employee? ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status: Tenure 1 or 2 in Block 24 and Position Occupied 1 in Block 34. Additionally, you should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher, AND a SF-50 to support having met the time-in-grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the grade level (or equivalent) below the grade level(s) for this position. Current CBP Employees are encouraged, but not required, to submit an SF-50(s) for CBP experience; however, additional SF-50(s) are required when using federal experience outside of CBP to receive credit towards the requirements above. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your initial and termination SF-50s.
• You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 11/05/2026.