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U S Customs Border Protection Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Customs Specialist

Dulles, VA · On-site

$25 - $28.85/hr

In this role, you will be responsible for auditing and processing customs entries, including the pre-keying and filing of entries with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will be reviewing ...

Must be able to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship in order to be able to qualify for a Customs & Border Protection (CBP) clearance which can take 9 months without any clearance; less time clearance ...

Customs Brokerage Specialist

Dulles, VA · On-site

$25 - $28.85/hr

In this role, you will be responsible for auditing and processing customs entries, including the pre-keying and filing of entries with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will be reviewing ...

New

Customs Brokerage Specialist

Dulles, VA · On-site

$25 - $28.85/hr

In this role, you will be responsible for auditing and processing customs entries, including the pre-keying and filing of entries with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will be reviewing ...

New

TechWise is supporting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Internal Affairs (IA), Credibility Assessment Division (CAD) oversees the administering of polygraph examinations in ...

Customs Specialist FZ-ZZ

Dulles, VA · On-site

$25 - $28.85/hr

In this role, you will be responsible for auditing and processing customs entries, including the pre-keying and filing of entries with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You will be reviewing ...

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Showing results 1-20

U S Customs Border Protection information

See Virginia salary details

$39.2K

$118.4K

$157.1K

How much do u s customs border protection jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for u s customs border protection in Virginia is $118,433.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $135,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is U S Customs Border Protection a good career?

U S Customs Border Protection offers a stable federal career with opportunities for advancement, competitive benefits, and job security. The role involves border security, law enforcement, and compliance work, often requiring physical fitness, background checks, and specialized training. It can be a rewarding career for those interested in public service and national security.

What is the difference between U S Customs Border Protection vs U S Customs Officer?

AspectU S Customs Border ProtectionU S Customs Officer
Primary RoleProtects U S borders, enforces customs laws, and manages border securityEnforces customs laws, inspects goods and travelers, and prevents illegal activities at ports of entry
Work EnvironmentBorder crossings, airports, seaports, and inland checkpointsPorts of entry, airports, and border crossings
CredentialsFederal employment, background checks, and sometimes specialized trainingSimilar federal requirements, background checks, and customs training

U S Customs Border Protection is a broad agency responsible for border security and customs enforcement, while U S Customs Officer is a specific role within the agency focused on inspecting travelers and goods. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but CBP oversees a wider scope of border security operations.

How can I become a U S Customs Border Protection officer?

To become a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, applicants must meet age, citizenship, and background requirements, pass written and physical fitness tests, and complete a training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Relevant skills include attention to detail, communication, and physical fitness, and candidates often need to pass a drug test and security clearance.
What are popular job titles related to U S Customs Border Protection jobs in Virginia? For U S Customs Border Protection jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching U S Customs Border Protection jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for U S Customs Border Protection jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for U S Customs Border Protection jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most U S Customs Border Protection job openings:
Infographic showing various U S Customs Border Protection job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, and 28% Part Time. Highlights an 74% In-person, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,433 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

$105K/yr

Other

Retirement

Re-posted 5 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

172nd of 844 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 Field Operations, National Targeting Center - Counter Threat Division, Sterling, VA.Qualifications:Experience: You qualify for the GS12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Interpreting and applying a comprehensive range of complex U.S. Federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to border security, immigration, customs, trade, and national security.
  • Using targeting methodologies, intelligence analysis techniques, and the use of a wide array of sophisticated law enforcement databases, intelligence systems (including classified sources), and open-source information.
  • Planning, organizing, collecting, evaluating, analyzing, and abstracting complex data from diverse sources, including classified intelligence reports, to develop actionable insights and prepare comprehensive reports and briefings.
  • Applying extensive knowledge of the mission, operational programs, policies, and procedures across distinct Office of Field Operations (OFO) program areas and led the implementation of advanced technology solutions that improved operational efficiency and enhanced compliance with agency policies.
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.
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.

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 08/06/2026
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
Polygraph Examination: The CBP OFFICER (NTC) 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.
Probationary Period: Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
If you are not a current GS-1895, and you are selected, you will have 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.
** NOTE: The Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age for original placement into a CBPO position, therefore candidates must enter their original appointment before reaching their 40th birthday. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03, unless the below criteria applies, you must meet this age requirement by the date of referral to the hiring manager.Education:Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to 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
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