Writer-Editor

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Michigan; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Detroit Sector is seeking a qualified writer/editor to support Mission Readiness Operations.

The role focuses on drafting written responses to inquiries, editing official correspondence, and ensuring materials meet agency policies and style standards. The successful candidate will collaborate with other writers/editors, maintain electronic documents, and contribute to streamlined communication processes across divisions.

Qualifications

• Prepare written responses to inquiries on complex policy issues.
• Edit correspondence to meet printing and publishing standards.
• Collaborate with writers/editors to standardize processes.
• Establish and maintain electronic documents and information.
• Ensure materials align with policies and style requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and edit official responses for distribution.
• Maintain electronic documentation and records.
• Coordinate with CBP divisions on policy communications.

Skills

Written responses

Editing

Collaboration with writers

Document management

Policy adherence

Job description

Organizational Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Detroit Sector, Mission Readiness Operations. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Required Experience:

To qualify for the GS-12 grade level you must possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Preparing written responses to inquiries on complex issues related to the mission, policies, and programs
• Maintaining awareness of and writing and/or editing correspondence that conform to established printing and publishing standards.
• Collaborating with other writers/editors for continual mainstreaming of correspondence processes.
• Establishing and maintaining electronic documents and related information
• Ensuring materials are clear and consistent with policies and style requirements.

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.

Education Substitution:

Not available

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.

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/21/2026.

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 on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

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.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

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.