Trainee File Conversion Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, located in Laredo, TX.
Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
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Duties
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The Pathways Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent position in the civil service. This position starts at a salary of $37,818.00 (GS-04, Step 1) to $49,166.00 (GS-04, Step 10).
In this student trainee position, you will become a key team member of Homeland Security administrative professionals. Typical work assignments include:

• Performing a variety of record keeping, reporting, and informational duties in support of the office's programs.
• Recording and filing information on cases, projects, and/or studies in established filing system.
• Monitoring stock levels of office supplies and ordering them when necessary.
• Updating manuals on policies, directives, and memoranda.
• Opening and sorting correspondence and preparing routing slips for incoming publications and other materials.

Requirements
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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
• 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
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Proof of student status must be submitted with the application
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions- NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU.
• 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
You must be a student who has been accepted for enrollment or who is currently enrolled and seeking a degree on a full or half-time basis in one of the federally administered, organized educational programs or accredited educational institutions below such as a public or private high school; state-approved home school; technical or vocational school; two (2) year or four (4) year college or university; graduate or professional school; a registered apprenticeship program, job corps or postsecondary home school curriculum. Review Pathways Interns for additional eligibility information
AND:
GS-04: Completed 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree. Two years of full-time academic study is defined as 60 semester hours, 90 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university.
You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 09/04/2026.
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.
For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
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

Schedules: Positions can be filled on full-time and part-time basis. Part-time schedules are typically 16 to 32 hours per administrative workweek, prearranged on a scheduled tour of duty.
Trial Period: The first two years served under the Internship Program counts as the participant's trial period.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement: Pathways students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate studies or lower program, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for a master's program or higher program.
Education
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information.
Additional information
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be serving in a position in Schedule Policy/Career of the Excepted service. You will obtain competitive status after two years of service in this position [if applicable]. Your employment in this position will be at-will. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals of adverse actions concerning performance, discipline, and other matters arising under chapters 23, 43, and 75 of title 5, United States Code will not be available to an individual serving in this position. The DHS Office of General Counsel will enforce prohibitions on prohibited personnel practices and not the Office of Special Counsel
A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. This agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
Students are required to meet enrollment requirements and remain in good academic standing for the full duration of their appointment in order to maintain eligibility for the Pathways Internship program.
Conversions: Interns may be non-competitively converted from the internship program to a term or permanent position in the competitive service within 180 days following successful completion of all their educational requirements in accordance with section 5 CFR 362.204 given there is an available position; however, conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed.If converted, this position will likely fill a Mission Support Assistant GS-0303-5/6/7 position. position.
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.
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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
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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.
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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.