CBP Officer (Canine)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Chicago Field Office, Area Port of Cleveland, OH, UPS Courier Hub, in Louisville, KY, & Area Port of Chicago, Canine Branch, in Chicago, IL.

Qualifications:

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: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Identifying known or potential terrorists and instruments of terror, criminals, smuggling tactics, techniques, and procedures.
• Performing prearrival risk assessment, primary inspection, secondary inspection, investigation, and intelligence collection and analysis in both the inbound and outbound operational environments.
• Conducting a wide range of record checks using a variety of law enforcement databases and systems and employs tactical intelligence to identify high-risk travelers.
• Using agency certified canines to detect controlled substances, weapons, ammunition, chemicals, plant and animal materials and concealed humans, all of which may be prohibited from entering the United States or be a threat to the security of the United States.
• Conducting daily training of caning to maintain detection proficiency.

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.

Primary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a primary 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)). For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click onthis 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.

• 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 05/29/2026

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 (Canine) 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.

Age Requirement: Pursuant to Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers which allows for the imposition of a maximum age requirement. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03, the day before an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a Customs and Border Protection Officer.
** 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.

Creditable law enforcement officer service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) as a Customs and Border Protection Officer on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans' Preference Eligibility: To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its recent decision of Isabella v. Dept. of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 3312. You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.

Responsibilities:

This is a Reassignment Opportunity Bulletin: You must be currently serving or have previously served as a permanent GS-12 with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and are currently serving or have served in the 1895 series within the last five years to qualify under this Bulletin. If you hold or have previously held the GS-1895-13 level or higher and are willing to take a change to lower grade, you will also be considered for this position.

Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen Homeland Security by performing law enforcement activities such as inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and interpretation of laws and regulations.

This position starts at a salary of $91,985.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to$119,583.00 (GS-12, Step 10).

Duties include:

• Conducting prearrival targeting and intelligence vetting of persons, conveyances, and merchandise enroute to the United States.
• Performing inspections/examinations in cargo warehouses and detecting anomalies in conveyances, vehicles, luggage, merchandise using non-intrusive inspection equipment.
• Using an agency-certified detector canine to survey and inspect persons, merchandise, cargo, and conveyances at and near the port of entry.
• Conducting daily training of assigned canine and maintaining accountability of various substances used for training.
• Ensuring all canine safety requirements are met and kennel facilities meet safety, sanitation, and health standards.

Salary : $91,985