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Cbp Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$109K/yr

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 ...

$109K/yr

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 ...

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Cbp Officer information

What are some of the unique challenges faced by CBP Officers during their daily duties at ports of entry?

CBP Officers often encounter the challenge of balancing thorough inspections with efficient processing of travelers and cargo. They must remain vigilant for security threats while providing professional service to people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the role requires adaptability, as officers may need to respond to rapidly changing situations, such as shifts in travel patterns or emerging security risks. Effective communication and teamwork with other law enforcement agencies are also essential to ensure border safety and compliance.

What does a CBP officer do?

A CBP officer is responsible for inspecting and screening travelers and cargo at ports of entry to enforce laws related to immigration, customs, and border security. They conduct searches, verify documentation, and use tools like scanners and databases to prevent illegal activities and ensure lawful entry. The role requires strong observation skills, attention to detail, and often involves working in shifts at border crossings or airports.

What is the difference between Cbp Officer vs Customs Agent?

AspectCbp OfficerCustoms Agent
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, background checks, sometimes specialized trainingHigh school diploma, licensing, and certification often required
Work EnvironmentGovernment agency, border security, airports, portsPrivate sector, customs brokerage firms, import/export companies
Employer & IndustryU.S. Customs and Border Protection, federal governmentPrivate customs brokerage and freight forwarding companies

While both Cbp Officers and Customs Agents work in customs-related roles, Cbp Officers primarily serve in government border security, enforcing laws and inspecting travelers and cargo. Customs Agents typically work in the private sector, handling import/export documentation and ensuring compliance for clients. The roles overlap in credentials and industry usage but differ in employment setting and specific responsibilities.

How can I become a CBP officer?

To become a CBP officer, applicants must meet age, education, and background requirements, pass written and physical fitness tests, and complete a structured training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and relevant skills include strong communication, problem-solving, and physical fitness. Security clearance is also required for employment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a CBP Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a CBP Officer, you need strong observational skills, knowledge of customs and immigration laws, and a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, with many positions requiring additional education or relevant experience. Familiarity with inspection tools, law enforcement databases, and security screening systems is essential. Effective communication, integrity, and sound judgment are important soft skills for interacting with travelers and making quick, fair decisions under pressure. These skills and qualities are crucial for protecting national borders, enforcing laws, and ensuring the safety and security of the country.

Is it hard to get hired by CBP?

Becoming a CBP Officer involves a competitive selection process that includes written exams, physical fitness tests, background checks, and interviews. Candidates typically need relevant experience, a clean record, and must meet specific physical and educational requirements, making the hiring process challenging but achievable with proper preparation.

What are CBP Officers?

CBP Officers are federal law enforcement agents who work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Their primary responsibilities include protecting the nation’s borders by enforcing customs, immigration, and agricultural laws at ports of entry. They inspect travelers, vehicles, and cargo entering the United States to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling and unauthorized entry. CBP Officers play a crucial role in national security, trade facilitation, and border management.

What Does a CBP Officer Do?

As a CBP officer, your responsibilities are to provide customs and border protection for the federal government. In this law enforcement position, you may patrol a designated area, provide security in high-risk areas, implement immigration regulations, inspect trade and agriculture products, and engage in counterterrorism work. CBP officers secure land borders, coastal waters, ports of entry, and parcel processing facilities. Many aspects of this job vary by area and the duties you are assigned. For example, a CBP officer focused on examining items entering the United States will have a significantly different day-to-day experience than an officer tasked with intercepting people trying to cross the border illegally.

How much do CBP officers get paid?

CBP officers typically start with a salary ranging from $50,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and step level. They may also receive overtime pay, benefits, and opportunities for advancement, with pay increasing through promotions and seniority.
What cities are hiring for Cbp Officer jobs? Cities with the most Cbp Officer job openings:
What states have the most Cbp Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Cbp Officer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Cbp Officer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution.
Supervisory CBP Officer - SRT

Supervisory CBP Officer - SRT

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Washington, DC • On-site

$147K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 11 days ago


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

125th of 649 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Commissioner located in Washington, DC.Qualifications:Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Providing leadership in developing, implementing, evaluating and improving processes and procedures to monitor the effectiveness, efficiency, uniformity and productivity of all program areas.
  • Interpreting and enforcing laws, operations, law enforcement procedures, policies, and regulations.
  • Leading, directing or providing technical direction to others in performing inspection, intelligence analysis, and examinations on customs, immigration, and other border security issues.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.
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.
Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (5 CFR 842.1003; 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b); and 5 USC 8412(d). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a primary position; and, if applicable, have been continuously employed in a secondary position or positions since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.
The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6, 2008.
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.
Mandatory Prerequisite for Administrative Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Covered Requirement: This position has been identified as Administrative, that is, an executive, managerial, technical, semiprofessional, or professional position for which experience in a primary/rigorous law enforcement or firefighting position, or equivalent experience outside of the Federal government is a mandatory prerequisite, as defined by 5 C.F.R. 831.902 (CSRS) and 5 C.F.R. 8.802 (FERS).Note: if you currently serve in a permanent Secondary LEO Retirement covered position, you are exempt from this mandatory prerequisite.

Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Covered Position: This position meets the eligibility criteria for law enforcement officer (LEO) retirement under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). To qualify for secondary retirement coverage, you must move directly from a primary/rigorous position to a secondary LEO position (without a break in service exceeding three days) and have completed three years of service in a primary/rigorous position, and, if applicable, have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a primary/rigorous position, without a break in service exceeding three days.
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 06/10/2026
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.
Polygraph Examination: The Supervisory CBP Officer - SRT 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.
If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you need to meet the following medical/physical standards:
Physical/Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.
Physical Fitness Test: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please view both Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test and Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program, a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test.Education:Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection serves and protects America with a workforce of more than 60,000 law enforcement and support professionals. We're united by our mission to guard our borders from threats and illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003