CBP Technician

Summary U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders Discover a challenging and rewarding career with the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders from terrorism, human/drug smuggling, illegal migration, agricultural pests, and enforcing legitimate travel and trade. CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to exemplify the core values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more at https://www.cbp.gov/about Learn more about this agency Duties Being a CBP Technician makes you a valuable member of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Typical assignments include: Operating scanning equipment to review contents of packages; Examining cargo and merchandise; applying appropriate tariff number, value, and rate of duty and tax to merchandise; Reviewing declarations and cargo manifests for completeness and compliance with applicable regulations; Coordinating and processing of data (e.g., permits, entries, declarations) into various automated systems; More information on CBP Technician specialized experience is listed in the Qualifications section of this announcement. Salary: Selections from this announcement will be at the GS-5 or GS-6 grade levels with promotion potential to GS-7 and GS-8. Promotions are not guaranteed and are at the discretion of the agency. Your pay will be determined after you successfully complete all pre-employment processes. Pay rates are based on the 2026 OPM Salary Tables - these tables do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases. Duty Location: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations: San Ysidro and San Francisco, CA; Hartford, CT; Honolulu, HI; Baton Rouge, LA; Calais, Coburn Gore, Houlton, Jackman, and Madawaska, ME; Boston, MA; International Falls, MN; Gulfport, MS; Sweetgrass, MT; Alexandria Bay, Buffalo, Champlain, and Rochester, NY; Pembina and Portal, ND; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; Memphis, TN; Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Presidio, TX; Derby Line, Highgate Springs, and Norton, VT; Blaine and Sumas, WA. NOTE: The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States. Locations offered at the time of your final offer are based on operational and mission requirements as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations. Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). For more information, please visit https://www.nteu.org/who-we-are/what-we-do Shift Work: You will be required to perform work on a shift and rotational basis. Overtime: Overtime will not be regularly scheduled; however, you must be available to work overtime on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. Residency Requirement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a residency requirement that applies to 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 (3) of the last five (5) years, before completing an application for CBP employment. 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. Background Investigation: This position is a sensitive National Security position and, upon selection, applicants will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Background Investigation. Drug Testing Requirements: Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Program. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. For more information, visit our Drug Testing FAQs and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Drug Test More requirements listed in the Additional Information section below. Qualifications Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement. You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: experience, education or a combination of both. Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (e.g., GS-4), performing duties such as: Maintaining and preparing files, records, and correspondence Entering data into automated systems Collecting fees for applications and/or services, reconciling accounts, or billing OR Education Substitution: A conferred bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited business school, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university; OR Combining Experience and Education: A combination of specialized experience AND successfully completed education. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable to combine with experience to meet the requirements. You qualify for the GS-6 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (e.g., GS-5), performing duties such as: Evaluating programs or individuals to ensure compliance with the established rules through audits, reviews, or inspections Conducting searches of records and automated systems to obtain information Reviewing documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with laws, policies, rules and regulations Collecting information and maintaining records such as daily findings, results, procedures, actions-taken, accomplishments, etc. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-6 grade level. More information on the CBP Tech qualification standard is located here. National Service 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. Education See the Qualifications section for education substitution for the GS-5 grade level. Additional information Uniform/Grooming Standards: While in a duty status, this position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards. Probationary Period: You must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Training: You will receive on-the-job training at your official duty location. Work Environment: Work involves moderate risk depending on current assignment that may require special safety precautions. Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear. Under Executive Order 14170, you will be asked four essay questions as part of your application, these will not be rated but will be viewable by the hiring manager. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): To be considered, you must submit the documents listed in the Required Documents section. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to ensuring that all of our employees act in a manner that embodies the Department's Mission Statement: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values. As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details here Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you 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. Expand Hide  additional information 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; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." 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. Retirement Coverage: Your retirement plan will be under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you have prior Federal government service your retirement is subject to change pending a review of your Official Personnel Folder. Review our benefits