Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Immigration Advisory Program Division located in Madrid, Spain. Responsibilities Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States. This position starts at a salary of $90,025.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to$117,034.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $117,034.00 GS-13Step 10). Salary above excludes COLA. Please see here for specific COLA Rates. In this position you will become a key member of a team of homeland security professionals detecting and preventing terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the U.S. Typical work assignments include: Managing and coordinating the identification of potential terrorists and instruments of terror with host authorities, and to perform layered enforcement activities relative to counter-terrorism. Utilizing a wide range of records checks using a variety of secure and non-secure databases and systems, and uses tactical intelligence to identify high-risk travelers and cargo while maintaining appropriate controls of classified material. Preparing/coordinating reports to CBP management and foreign government officials to include information on status of ongoing advisory assistance and/or training programs and other issues and barriers. Assisting investigations of complex and serious violations of applicable U.S. law, or in concert with foreign partners. Managing relationships with diplomacy, interpersonal, and protocol skills when interacting with officials from the host country, U.S. Embassy, and other government agencies. 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. Conduct Responsibilities on Overseas Assignment: Employee will be subject to the laws of the United States while posted overseas to include those specifically applicable to Federal employees including the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees in the Executive Branch and the DHS Ethics/Standards of Conduct. While posted overseas, the employee will conduct themselves in a manner that reflects honorably on the United States of America and which is consistent with any applicable diplomatic agreements between the United States and the host country. This includes, but is not limited to: Excessive consumption of alcohol, or if the country forbids consumption of alcohol, the consumption of alcohol Recreational use of controlled substances such as marijuana, whether prescribed or not, even if legal in the geographic location Using the services of a commercial sex provider, even if legal in the geographic location Any conduct that could disgrace, embarrass, or discredit the Department of Homeland Security or the United States of America Failure to adhere to the above may subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including removal, the loss of security clearance, and the immediate expulsion from the host country. Requirements 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 You and your dependents must pass a State Department medical examination You and your dependents must obtain a valid passport Full fluency in Spanish is required. You must obtain a valid driver's license and maintain firearms requirements If selected for this position, you should be able to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (or Top Secret/SCI) Clearance 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. 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. Qualifications Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Consolidating resources and missions with the host country authorities to combat the proliferation of fraudulent documents, human smuggling, and international security threats; Detecting and preventing terrorists and instruments of terror, persons and organizations engaged in transnational criminal activity, harmful pests and diseases, illegal drugs and contraband, undocumented citizens, and importations and exportations contrary to law and trade agreements from entering and exiting the United States. 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. 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. Administrative Secondary CBP Officer (CBPO) Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) Requirement: This position meets the definition of secondary administrative CBPO SRC under the laws and regulations defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331 (31), Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and General Provisions for CBPO defined in 5 U.S.C. 8401(36), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The criterion is that knowledge, skill and ability in a position deemed to meet primary CBPO SRC is a mandatory prerequisite to satisfactorily perform the major duties and responsibilities of this job. The conditions for coverage of a secondary position are contained in 5 C.F.R. § 831.1604 for CSRS and 5 C.F.R. § 842.1003 for FERS. As defined in 5 C.F.R. § 831.1602 CSRS and 5 CFR 842.1002 FERS, to be eligible for this secondary administrative CBP) SRC position you must have permanently served in a primary CBPO SRC position, e.g. Customs Inspector, GS-1890; Immigration Inspector, GS-1816; Canine Enforcement Officer, GS-1801; or CBP Officer, GS-1895. You must: 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 01/27/2025 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, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Polygraph Examination: The CBP OFFICER (POLICE LIAISON) position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination. Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package. Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package. Probationary Period: Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Tour of Duty: The employee will serve a two (2) year initial tour, with an opportunity for the employee to apply for an additional three years for a total five years (2-2-1). As an exception to this general rule, tour duration is subject to the host country and the Department of State. At the discretion of management, the assignment may be extended for additional periods, up to a maximum of five years in a single foreign duty location. Additionally, at the discretion of management, you may be returned at any time to your previous position or to a different position of equivalent grade as this CBP Officer (Police Liaison) position. Employees who have not served four (4) years at a domestic duty station should not be considered for a second tour of duty in any foreign assignment. Applicants approaching the maximum tour duration in a foreign duty location may be considered for appointments outside their current duty location. Return Rights: Within 180 days of completing their tour, the employee will submit a list of 5 preference locations for their return. If none of the 5 locations have an equivalent vacancy, CBP will provide the employee a list of up to 5 additional locations where CBP has staffing availability to select from. If the employee declines the locations provided by CBP, the employee will be reassigned to an equivalent position in his/her Home of Record Field Office. Annual Leave Accumulation: Employees assigned to IAP posts may carry over 360 hours of annual leave to the next leave year (as opposed to 240 hours). Home Leave: In addition to annual leave, employees at IAP posts earn ten days home leave on each two-year assignment. This leave is only granted to those employees who have their IAP assignment extended for another tour and is to be used between tours. The Government pays the employee per diem and transportation expenses from the employee's post of duty in IAP to the employee's former official residence in the United States . In addition, it also pays for the transportation expenses of dependents who accompany the employee on home leave to the employee's residence in the United States. Living Quarters Allowances (not payable if claiming temporary lodging allowance): Employees receive payment of an annual tax-free quarters' allowance for housing while at an IAP post. This allowance is intended to cover the cost of suitable, adequate living quarters for the employee and his/her family plus the cost of heat, light, fuel, gas, electricity, and water. However, at some foreign posts government subsidized housing is provided. Data Systems: Must maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution. Education Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. Foreign Transfer Allowance - The foreign transfer allowance is divided into two separate allowances. These allowances are payable as follows: A. Miscellaneous Expense Allowance - This allowance is intended to assist you with certain extraordinary costs in connection with establishing residence quarters at the foreign post. An amount of $650 for a single employee and $1300 for an employee with family may be granted without any receipt or itemizing required. This allowance is not paid to employees who are returning to the United States for separation. B. Subsistence Expenses Allowance - A subsistence expense allowance applicable to lodging, meals (including tips), laundry, cleaning and pressing expenses in temporary quarters for you and each member of your family for up to 10 days before final departure from a post in the United States to a post in a foreign area. Expenses of local transportation are not allowable. Temporary Lodging Allowance (not payable if claiming living quarters allowance): A temporary lodging allowance is a tax-free quarters allowance that is granted to you for the reasonable cost of temporary quarters, which are incurred by you and your family for a period not to exceed (1) 60 days after first arrival at a new post in a foreign area, or a period ending with the occupation of permanent quarters, if earlier; and (2) 30 days immediately preceding final departure from the post subsequent to the necessary vacating of residence quarters. Transportation of Household Effects and Related Expenses: A. Maximum weight of household goods and personal effects, which may be transported or stored at Government expense shall not exceed 18,000 pounds net weight for all employees. B. The transportation of household goods must be accomplished through the use of Government Bill of Lading. This includes transfers either to or from a foreign post of duty. C. Allowance for Transportation and Accessories Service - The actual cost of transportation of household goods and personal effects, including the packing and crating of materials, lift vans, or other temporary containers with the weights prescribed in the previous paragraph, will be allowed at Government expense. D. Temporary Storage of Household Goods - Temporary storage incident to transportation of household goods is allowable for a period of up to 90 days. Education Allowance: Payment for most actual costs of education for each dependent are determined by the Department of State and are subject to change. Additional Information: Applicants should be aware that certain international locations may require additional out of pocket expenses that may or may not be reimbursable at a later time. If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards: Physical and Medical Requirements: Because the duties of the position are of a strenuous nature and require a high degree of interaction and responsibility to the public, you must undergo and successfully pass our medical screening process. We will schedule, provide and pay for the required basic medical examination. For more information, go to https://www.cbp.gov/careers/frontline-careers/cbpo/app-proc Physical Fitness Requirement: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test-1. Please see the Pre-employment Fitness Test-1 Readiness Program for additional information. This is a 6 week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness tests. Retirement Coverage: This position has been identified as a secondary-administrative position as provided under the enhanced retirement provision of Public Law 110-161 for Customs and Border Protection Officers. More information is available at https://cbpgov.sharepoint.com/sites/HRM/RABAS. This position meets the criteria defined in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as an exempt position. Therefore, while serving in this foreign duty location, the FLSA code will be categorized as "Exempt". Exempt employees receive an overtime rate defined under Title 5 rather than that defined under FLSA. For more information on Title 5 pay, please see the following link: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/overtime-pay-title-5/ Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete 89 days of paid training at the CBP Field Operations Academy in Glynco, GA. 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. Additional Information Language Requirement: You must be proficient and able to communicate in Spanish. Security Clearance: This position requires a security clearance. If selected for this position, you should be able to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (or Top Secret/SCI) Clearance. Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. 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 a current valid State driver's license at the time of appointment. Shift Work/Overtime: You may be required to work on a shift and rotational basis and perform substantial amounts of overtime. Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work is conducted in an office/airport setting. The position requires light to moderate physical exertion involving long periods of standing and walking. Passports: You will be required to obtain diplomatic passports for yourself and your dependents as a condition of selection. Government Credit Card: You must possess a government credit card. Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit. 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.