BORDER PATROL AGENT (ASSISTANT CHIEF)

Customs and Border Protection
Seattle, WA

JobSummary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Strategic Planning & Analysis Directorate (SPAD) location negotiable prior to Entrance on Duty. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

LowGrade

14

HighGrade

14

PromotionPotential

14

SubAgencyName

U.S. Border Patrol

OrganizationCodes

HS/HSBD

Relocation

False

HiringPath

  • fed-transition
  • fed-internal-search

MCOTags

  • NatSec

TotalOpenings

6

AgencyMarketingStatement

Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. At CBP, we: Secure and enforce trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products and prohibited goods. Prevent unauthorized entry into the country Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border Find us on Twitter at @CBP and @CBPJobs Find us on LinkedIn at U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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

TravelCode

2

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

  • This position will allow you to use your expertise to prevent illegal entry of aliens into the United States by land, water, or air; enforce criminal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Laws; and seek out and apprehend smugglers or aliens who are in the United States illegally. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to protect the homeland. This position starts at a salary of $147,899.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $192,275.00 (GS-14, Step 10). As a Border Patrol Agent (Assistant Chief), you will serve as a secondary administrative law enforcement officer (under 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 8412 (d)). Your duties will include: Identifiyng and interpreting USBP, CBP, and DHS policies, and ensures proper dissemination, compliance and ensures enforcement priorities are understood and implemented within USBP, SPAD, and LSD. Provides technical and administrative supervision and utilizes subordinate supervisors to oversee the work. Planning, organizing, and directing team efforts across organizational lines and multiple disciplines, including the ability to monitor progress to ensure realistic objectives and milestones are established, to clearly assign responsibilities, and complete mission requirements in a timely manner. Managing multiple assignments that require a wide range of management and programmatic oversight; qualitative and quantitative methods; planning policies and procedures; negotiation techniques; oral and written communications; and a knowledge of computer applications sufficient to prepare written reports, spreadsheets, statistical tables, and flowcharts. Providing expert guidance, analysis, and programmatic planning for complex issues surrounding USBP enforcement and administrative systems and data in support of border security operations and decision making. Evaluating national level programmatic and operational issues arising through the course of changing operational conditions of USBP and affecting CBP, DHS, and government-wide programs; and ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information and systems data to internal stakeholders. Planning and directing the preparation of and present analytical briefings to executive leadership on enforcement and administrative systems capabilities and modernization efforts while providing conclusions, alternatives, and recommendations on national policies, projects, and future investments of resources. Temporary/Rotational Assignment: To meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a temporary basis not-to-exceed (NTE) 3 year(s), year(s), with possible extension(s) for an additional 2 year(s). You may be returned, at any time, to the position from which temporarily promoted, to the last permanent official station and position held prior to this NTE assignment, and the return is not subject to the procedures found in 5 C.F.R. §§ 351, 432, 752, and 771. If you are currently at the grade level of the position announced, this action will result in a reassignment, and you may be returned at any time to a same or similar position held prior to this temporary assignment at your previous duty location. If you currently hold a grade level higher than the grade being announced, this action will result in a change to lower grade, and you may be returned at any time to the position and grade level held prior to this temporary assignment or to a similar position at your previous duty location. At management's discretion, you may be permanently placed to this position without further competition. See the USBP Rotation Process Internal Operating Procedures (IOP) by visiting here (this is only viewable from a CBP computer). The USBP Rotation Program IOP dictates the terms of rotating out of the NTE assignment once the assignment has concluded. Mobility Agreement: This position is subject to a Mobility Agreement. Applicants are required to acknowledge the Mobility Agreement within the application questionnaire; however, only those selected for the position will be subject to the terms of the Mobility Agreement. You can preview the mobility agreement here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12904350

Education

Requirements

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 be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards 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.

Evaluations

You will be ranked on the basis of the scores received on your U.S. Border Patrol Promotional Assessment. You must have a current, valid score by 03/24/2026 if you have not held the GS-14 on a permanent basis, or if you have been demoted due to performance or conduct reasons. You do not need to have a current, valid test score if you have permanently held a position at the GS-14 or higher. Your application record will remain in a pending status until after the announcement closes, at which time we will upload test scores. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an assessment questionnaire. You will be assessed on the following competencies or KSAs: Ability to deal with stress effectively and to display high standards of ethical conduct. Skill in providing briefings to a variety of groups. Skill in excellent communication and writing skills. Ability to create written documents that are accurate, succinct, and organized. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12904350 Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. 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

HowToApply

To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 04/06/2026. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application and you must again upload it by the closing date. Please upload your resume under the "Resume" document type. Any other relevant supporting documents should be uploaded under their appropriate document types as mentioned above. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Do not submit documents as a PDF Portfolios. Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). 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. 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. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to 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. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to hc-recordsmgmt@cbp.dhs.gov. View common definitions of terms in this announcement.

WhatToExpectNext

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. The open period for this job opportunity announcement may be extended to allow for a sufficient applicant pool. Once the job opportunity announcement has closed, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. You will be notified by email after each of these steps has been completed. Stay informed of changes to your application status by signing up for automatic email alerts with your USAJOBS account. If you are referred, you will receive a final notification of the disposition of the announcement. We expect to make a tentative job offer within 60 days after the close of the announcement. If you are selected, we may conduct a suitability/security background investigation. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

RequiredDocuments

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. Your resume must be in English and must include your job titles and a detailed description of your duties and the dates you performed them (MM/DD/YY), as well as your hours per week for each position listed. Your resume should also contain your full name, phone number, email address, and salary. To ensure all your experience is considered, the U.S. Border Patrol strongly suggests resumes should describe your experiences and accomplishments, assignment dates, duty locations, your current supervisor's contact information and specify whether you have performed duties in investigations, intelligence, or have worked in sector-level or national programs (e.g., horse patrol, BORSTAR, BORTAC, peer support, chaplaincy, canine, etc.), or been assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, and/or Sector or USBP Headquarters. Include leadership or specialized training and college level courses completed. Resumes should also specify each supervisory position held (clearly listing SBPA, FOS, SOS, WC, DPAIC, PAIC, ACPA, XO, DC, DCPA or CPA). Additionally, include all temporary promotions listing the grade, position, location, and period of time held; temporary details or special assignments held 30 days or more (assignment, location, and period of time); and any prior military or other specialized experience outside of USBP that is relevant to law enforcement work. 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. 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. See the following link for USBP's optional resume format and additional resume tips: USBP Resume Guidance. Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12904350 SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action): 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 following requirements. Your SF-50(s) should reflect the highest grade or full performance level held on a permanent basis in the competitive service and having met the time-in-grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the grade level below (or equivalent) the grade level for this position. 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 performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/benefits

OtherInformation

Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Border Patrol Council - NBPC. For local chapter contact information see https://bpunion.org/about-nbpc/ Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required. Shift Work/Overtime: 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. You could be required to work overtime on a daily basis and will be compensated up to an additional 25% of your base pay in accordance with the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014. Travel: Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis. Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here, as established by the Border Patrol's Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #IOP-5320-02A-UGSBPA. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head and face are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible. 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.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

01

AnnouncementClosingType

01

AgencyContactEmail

CBPhiring-applicantinquiry@cbp.dhs.gov

AgencyContactPhone

952-857-2932

SecurityClearance

Not Required

DrugTestRequired

True

AdjudicationType

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