PDF versionJob Summary
Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. CBP employees protect our Nation's borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade.
Major Duties
Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations. Although the following locations will most likely be available, the duty location offered in your final offer letter may include a duty location in another geographic location that meets agency mission critical needs: Anchorage, AK; San Francisco, CA; Honolulu, HI; International Falls, MN; Pembina, and Portal, ND.
Note: If you accept one of the following duty locations you may be eligible to receive an additional 15-25% (based on location below) of your salary each year for the first 3 years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. This incentive only applies to new federal employees and is dependent upon the availability of funds:
Duty location offering 25% recruitment incentive: San Francisco, CA
Duty location offering 15% recruitment incentive: Portal, ND
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The CBP Agriculture Specialist (AGS) primary responsibilities are:
- Serve as a consultant in the areas of inspection, analysis, intelligence gathering, examination, and law enforcement activities regarding the importation of agricultural/commercial commodities and conveyances at ports of entry
- Apply laws and regulations when determining the admissibility of agriculture commodities while preventing the introduction of harmful pests, diseases, and potential agro-terrorism into the United States
- Participate in special enforcement, targeting or analysis teams charged with collecting and analyzing information and identifying high-risk targets
- Plan and conduct remedial actions such as treating, disinfecting, and decontaminating prohibited commodities, conveyances, contaminants or agricultural materials
Qualifications
Basic Qualification Requirement for All Grades (GS-5/7/9): You must have successfully completed a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that includes a major field of study such as agronomy, botany, entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, pest management, plant science, soil science, crop science, microbiology, mycology, nematology, weed science, ecology, biology, agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, environmental resource management, chemistry or related disciplines. If you have not completed the above described education, you must have completed at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline at an accredited college or university plus have appropriate work experience. You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One year of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions and maintain composure in stressful situations; learn enforcement regulations, methods and techniques through classroom training and on-the-job instruction; maintain logs and gather factual information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records AND transcripts which includes at least 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university; OR Education Substitution: A full four-year course of study (at least 120 semester credits) at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree that includes a major in a field of study listed above; OR
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that includes a major in a field of study listed above; OR
Will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement and the transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement that includes a major in a field of study listed above. Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general work experience AND successfully completed college education that includes a major in a field of study listed above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that demonstrates the ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with agricultural matters; research information for reports and provide information to others; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate action enforcing regulations when inspecting vessels, vehicles, aircraft and/or baggage for the presence of restricted plant materials, pests or diseases and reviewing/analyzing passengers and/or commodity documents to assess the agricultural risk of their entry into the United States AND transcripts which includes 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university; OR Education Substitution: One full year of graduate level education (equivalent to 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree that includes a major in a field of study listed above; OR A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0 scale), which is based on one of the following: class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership from an accredited college or university that includes at least 24 semester hours in a major in a field of study listed above; OR Will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0 scale) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of the job announcement, which includes at least 24 semester hours in a major in a field of study listed above and the transcripts must indicate you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of graduate level education completed in a field of study listed above from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience listed above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that demonstrates the ability to coordinate, plan and execute inspection assignments, investigate violations, prepare investigative reports and provide testimony, compile data, logs and prepare reports of work accomplishments and inspection operations, coordinate and assist with school or media events and plan, conduct and oversee treatments such as disinfection, sterilization and decontamination treatments AND transcripts which includes 24 semester hours of biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline from an accredited college or university; OR Education Substitution: A master's degree from an accredited college or university that includes a major in a field of study listed above; OR
Will receive a master's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement in one of the fields of study listed above and the transcripts must show that you are on track to graduate within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of graduate level education completed in a field of study listed above from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience listed in above. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application; OR a combination of one year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade listed above and two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree in one of the fields of study listed above. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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, and 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. Political Appointees: 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 Resource office.
Pay Range
$33,949.00 - $66,868.00