1

Customs And Border Protection Jobs in Frederick, MD

Director, Tariffs & Customs

Rockville, MD · On-site +1

$130K - $305K/yr

Customs and Border Protection, Department of Commerce, and U.S. Department of State, including Protests, Prior Disclosures, Voluntary Self Disclosures, Ruling Requests, Petitions for Relief, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Customs And Border Protection information

See Frederick, MD salary details

$39.3K

$118.8K

$157.6K

How much do customs and border protection jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for customs and border protection in Frederick, MD is $118,773.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,900.00 and $136,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Customs and Border Protection officer do?

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer is responsible for protecting the United States’ borders by preventing illegal immigration, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other threats. They inspect people and goods entering and leaving the country at ports of entry, such as airports, seaports, and land border crossings. CBP officers enforce customs, immigration, and agricultural laws, ensuring the safety and security of the nation while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Customs and Border Protection officer?

To thrive as a Customs and Border Protection Officer, you need a solid understanding of law enforcement principles, strong decision-making abilities, and typically must pass background checks and complete federal training programs. Familiarity with inspection technologies, surveillance equipment, and CBP databases is required to effectively monitor and process travelers and cargo. Outstanding interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and stress management set individuals apart in this demanding environment. These competencies are vital for ensuring border security, facilitating lawful trade and travel, and upholding national safety.

What are some typical challenges Customs and Border Protection officers face during their shifts?

Customs and Border Protection officers often encounter challenges such as working long or irregular hours, adapting to rapidly changing situations at ports of entry, and maintaining vigilance in high-stress environments. Officers must be prepared to interact with diverse travelers, sometimes in tense or uncertain circumstances, while upholding laws and regulations. Strong teamwork, effective communication, and situational awareness are essential to overcome these daily challenges and ensure border security.

What is the difference between Customs And Border Protection vs Customs Officer?

AspectCustoms And Border ProtectionCustoms Officer
Primary RoleEnforces laws at borders, manages immigration and trade complianceInspects goods and travelers, enforces customs regulations
Work EnvironmentBorder crossings, airports, ports, and inland facilitiesBorder checkpoints, ports, airports, and cargo areas
Required CredentialsU.S. citizenship, background check, sometimes specialized trainingU.S. citizenship, background check, training programs
EmployerU.S. Customs and Border Protection agencyU.S. Customs and Border Protection agency

Customs And Border Protection is a federal agency overseeing border security and immigration enforcement, while Customs Officers are frontline personnel working within this agency to inspect travelers and goods. Both roles require similar credentials and work in related environments, but CBP has broader responsibilities including policy enforcement and border security management.

Do Customs And Border Protection officers get paid well?

Customs and Border Protection officers typically receive competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and grade level. Entry-level officers often start with a federal pay scale, and additional benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans are included. Overall, the compensation is considered fair within the federal government employment standards.

How to get into Customs and Border Protection?

To join Customs and Border Protection, applicants must meet age, background, and physical fitness requirements, and typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. The hiring process includes submitting an application, passing written exams, interviews, medical and background checks, and completing training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

Is it hard to get a job with Customs And Border Protection?

Getting a job with Customs and Border Protection can be competitive, as it requires meeting specific eligibility criteria, passing background checks, and completing training. Candidates often need relevant experience, security clearances, and sometimes specialized skills such as language proficiency or law enforcement training.

What job categories do people searching Customs And Border Protection jobs in Frederick, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Customs And Border Protection jobs in Frederick, MD are:

What cities near Frederick, MD are hiring for Customs And Border Protection jobs?

Cities near Frederick, MD with the most Customs And Border Protection job openings:

Infographic showing various Customs And Border Protection job openings in Frederick, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $118,773 per year, or $57.1 per hour.

Executive Director, Leadership Development Center

Customs and Border Protection

Harpers Ferry, WV • On-site, Remote

$151K - $228K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

170th of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security; within U.S. Customs and Border Protection; in the Office of Training and Development.
For more information about U.S. Customs and Border Protection, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/about.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
As Executive Director, Leadership Development Center, you will oversee the strategic development of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) leadership cadre, providing excellence in leadership education, training, development, and research. You will ensure a Leadership Development Framework is successfully implemented by developing, supporting, and empowering current and future leaders using collaborative government and industry-wide partnerships to broaden leaders' perspective and establish a world-class organization.
You will lead the planning, design, execution, and evaluation of agency-wide leadership development training and mentoring programs. You will also establish agency-wide leadership policies designed to improve organizational and employee performance, addressing deficiencies identified by such tools as the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.
You will interface with leadership of all CBP Offices; the Department of Homeland Security; Congress; officials of other Federal, state, and local agencies/governments; foreign dignitaries; industry; local communities; and academic institutions.
For an overview of the diverse responsibilities CBP carries out within the Government, visit our website at cbp.gov.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation.
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
  • Subject to a 1-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
  • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • You may be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
  • Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back,
  • FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
  • SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).

If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.
You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.
Qualifications
As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the equivalent of the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state and local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed below. We recommend that your resume emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including results of your actions.
The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. YOUR RESUME MUST NOT EXCEED 2 PAGES. Any resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs):
Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. Candidates must possess experience at the senior level (GS-14/15 level or equivalent) in the job-specific Technical Qualifications (TQs). The TQs measure the technical expertise required by this position and must be addressed within your 2-page resume. It is recommended that corresponding TQs be annotated in parentheses within your 2-page resume.
TQ 1: Demonstrated experience running an "agency-wide" leadership development program for a large, geographically-dispersed workforce.
TQ 2: Demonstrated experience overseeing the development of leadership training materials and programs, applying adult learning techniques, principles, and methodologies.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):
In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3: Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4: Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5: Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
FAILURE TO MEET OR FULLY ADDRESS EACH EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATION AND TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION IN THE RESUME WILL ELIMINATE A CANDIDATE FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Education
There is no education requirement for this position.
You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments and experience.
Your resume will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel, and highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority. Unless you have already been certified by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) in the past, your ECQs must be certified by a QRB before an appointment can occur.
Additional information
Recruitment or Relocation Incentive: CBP may authorize a recruitment and/or relocation incentive (not to exceed 25% of basic pay) for an eligible selectee. A service agreement would be required.
Relocation Expenses: CBP may choose to pay your relocation expenses in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.
Selective Service: If you are a male and are hired, and if you were born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
Background Investigation: The tentative selectee must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation as a condition of placement/retention in the position. A security clearance is required.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: seeks to preserve jobs for those who are legally entitled to them: American citizens and aliens who are authorized to work in our country. This law requires employees to provide a document or documents that establish identity and employment eligibility.
Drug Testing: This position has been identified as a Testing Designated Position under the Customs and Border Protection, Drug-Free Workplace Program. Satisfactory completion of the drug test is a condition of placement and/or employment in the position and the incumbent(s) of this position is thereafter subject to Random Drug Testing.
Probationary Period: You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you will have to complete a Public Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days after appointment.
Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
  • is an equal employment employer. Selection for positions will be based solely on merit.
  • provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
Note: The Federal Government does not deny employment to individuals who are currently or who have been unemployed, nor does it deny employment to individuals who have had financial difficulties through no fault of their own.
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
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review DHS benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


U.S. Customs and Border Protection logo

About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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