Sector Enforcement Specialist Job

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)
Department: Department Of Homeland Security Agency: Customs and Border Protection Job Announcement Number: MHCBPMP-286573-OC Job Title: Sector Enforcement Specialist Salary Range: 27,026.00 - 53,234.00 USD /year Series & Grade: GS-1801-05/09 Promotion Potential: 9 Open Period: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 to Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Position Information: Full Time Career/Career Conditional Duty Locations: Many vacancies - Throughout the Nation Who May Be Considered: See "Who May Apply" section for complete details Job Summary: CBP: Securing America's Borders Whether on the frontlines or serving behind the scenes supporting our mission, the men and women of CBP are dedicated to keeping America safe. CBP counts on them. Our Nation counts on them. Can we count on you? This is an open continuous announcement which will establish an inventory of applicants interested in a career as a Sector Enforcement Specialist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This applicant inventory will be used to fill vacancies as they occur within the Office of Border Patrol at various locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to maximize their employment opportunities. Applicant selection referral lists will be issued, as needed, for the duration of this announcement. Although this announcement is advertised for multiple duty locations and grade levels; it is not intended to convey any expectation that positions will be filled at all duty locations or grade levels. CBP Mission Statement: We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity, and professionalism Discover a challenging and rewarding career in CBP, the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. As part of our carefully selected, highly trained team, you'll leverage state-of-the art technology, innovative strategies and world-wide partnerships to protect our communities and defend our frontier. At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products Prevent unauthorized entry into the country Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border For more information about CBP's mission, activities, and careers, please visit our web site, http://www.cbp.gov/. Who May Apply: Current Federal employees with competitive status and former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility. Current and former Federal employees who meet the established criteria in an Office of Personnel Management Interchange Agreement. Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service will receive consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). If you are a non-status candidate, you may also apply through VIN # 286476. Organizational Location: Positions will be filled within Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol, in various locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. For a list of all possible duty stations, please see the "Duties" section of this announcement. Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation Information: To compare cost of living data, calculate mortgage scenarios, or gather information on communities and school districts, please visit the website: http://www.relocationessentials.com/aff/lifecare/tools/salary/col.aspx Salary: The salary shown above includes the base pay for the lowest grade and the highest step of the highest possible grade. Salaries vary by grade level and are adjusted for the locality. The following link displays the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the last table listed "Rest of the United States". http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/indexGS.asp Key Requirements: U.S. Citizenship Background Security Investigation Residency Requirement Major Duties: As a Sector Enforcement Specialist, you will support the enforcement operations of this agency and other agencies of the border enforcement community. Specifically, you will monitor the operation of communication links; develop pertinent background data; research local, national and international automated enforcement information systems for the purposes of identifying and developing applicable tactical and operational data; and communicate the results of data searches back to the inquiring parties. Additionally, you will provide emergency assistance to law enforcement personnel; monitor the operation of radio and network equipment; conduct the initial analysis when equipment/transmission problems are encountered; and initiate actions required to restore radio communications as appropriate. You will also receive, develop, refine and analyze data impacting real-time enforcement operations. HOW LONG WILL THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BE USED? This announcement may be used for approximately one year beginning Tuesday, September 22, 2009 You must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements at the time of application. WHERE WILL POSITIONS BE FILLED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT? Positions will be filled at multiple locations throughout the United States. See list below to view the list of locations. You will be asked to identify your location preferences in the on-line application process. You may select no more than five duty locations. Once you accept or decline a job offer you will not receive further consideration under this announcement unless you re-apply. You can only have one application at a time, for this announcement. If you re-apply, only your most recent application will be considered. Listed below are duty locations where positions may be filled under this announcement: Blaine Sector Marfa Sector Blaine Sector HQ, Blaine, WA Marfa Sector HQ, Marfa, TX Buffalo Sector Miami Sector Buffalo Sector HQ, Grand Island, NY Miami Sector HQ, Pembroke Pines, FL Del Rio Sector Del Rio Sector HQ, Del Rio, TX New Orleans Sector Eagle Pass North Station, Eagle Pass, TX New Orleans Sector HQ, New Orleans, LA Detroit Sector Ramey Sector Detroit Sector HQ, Selfridge ANGB, MI Ramey Sector HQ, Aguadilla, PR El Centro Sector Rio Grande Valley Sector Calexico Station, Calexico, CA Brownsville Station, Olmito, TX El Centro Station, Imperial, CA Harlingen Station, Harlingen, TX El Centro Sector HQ, El Centro, CA Rio Grande Valley Sector, McAllen, TX Indio Station, Indio, CA El Paso Sector San Diego Sector Deming Station, Deming, NM San Diego Sector HQ, Chula Vista, CA El Paso Sector HQ, El Paso, TX San Diego Sector, San Ysidro, CA Grand Forks Sector Spokane Sector Grand Forks Sector HQ, Grand Forks, ND Spokane Sector HQ, Spokane, WA Havre Sector Swanton Sector Havre Sector HQ, Havre, MT Swanton Sector HQ, Swanton, VT Houlton Sector Tucson Sector Houlton Sector HQ, Hodgdon, ME Douglas Station, Douglas, AZ Nogales Station, Nogales, AZ Tucson Sector HQ, Tucson, AZ Laredo Sector Laredo Sector HQ, Laredo, TX Yuma Sector Yuma Sector HQ, Yuma AZ Qualifications: Qualifications by Application Date: You must meet all qualification requirements at the time of the submission of your application. If your qualifications and eligibility change, you will need to update your responses in the questionnaire and/or resume reflecting those changes otherwise, you will continue to receive consideration under your original application. Please note that qualification claims are subject to verification through a review of your work experience as provided in your resume and narrative responses to assessment questions. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or terminating you after you begin employment. GS-5: You qualify at the GS-5 level if you possess three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level. The experience must demonstrate the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in details to enforcement and intelligence elements; examining data files to identify needed additions, deletions, corrections, or other information changes; conducting less complicated data searches and analyses; participating with service personnel in network analysis projects; and reviewing and updating operational instructions to reflect changing mission support requirements. OR You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree (or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree) for the experience required at the GS-5 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. Note: If selected, you may be required to submit a copy of your transcripts. GS-7: You qualify at the GS-7 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, the specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level. Examples include searching large law enforcement databases to obtain information in support of law enforcement activities and relaying it to appropriate staff under stressful and/or emergency situations; maintaining automated law enforcement records, cross-referencing information, and extracting files or data in response to inquiries; and researching multiple law enforcement files and records to resolve inconsistencies. OR You may substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-7 level. You must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society. OR You may also substitute successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education for the experience required at the GS-7 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours. GS-9: You qualify at the GS-9 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the duties of this position. To be credit able, the specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Examples include coordinating extensive law enforcement activities using a variety of communications equipment; retrieving, analyzing, and interpreting (for applicability) sensitive law enforcement data from a variety of sources in response to requests for information; and making critical decisions in conjunction with searches of automated databases in stressful and emergency situations to assist and protect law enforcement officials. OR You may substitute successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in an accredited college or university, or a L.L.B. degree may be substituted for experience at the GS-9 grade level. Such education must demonstrate the skills needed to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 36 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 2 years of full-time study requirement. Combining Experience and Education at the GS-5/7/9 Grade Levels: To combine your education and experience, you must convert each to a percentage, and then add the percentages. The combined total of your percentage of education and experience must equal at least 100% in order to qualify. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages of education and experience. The two percentages must total at least 100%. (NOTE: only graduate education in excess of the amount required at the next lower grade can be combined to meet this requirement at the GS-9. For positions in Puerto Rico; you must be able to read, write and speak Spanish fluently. U.S. Citizenship: Candidates must be United States citizens and present proof of citizenship, if selected. Residency: If you are not currently a CBP employee, you must meet one or more of the following primary residence criteria for the last three years prior to submitting your application for employment: a) Resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations); b) Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or c) Been a dependent of a U.S. federal or military employee serving overseas. Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, the church records for the applicant's overseas church missions, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. Applicants must provide this information when filing their application for employment. Time in grade: Only those applicants who have met time-in-grade requirements at the time of application will be referred for selection consideration. Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of service equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position to be filled. Background Security Investigation: You will need to successfully complete a background investigation before you can be appointed into this position. Overtime and Shift Work: This job requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work. You must be available for such assignments. Drug Testing: This job has been identified as "testing designated" under our Drug-Free Workplace Program. Therefore, you must satisfactorily complete a drug test prior to being hired. The agency will schedule, provide and pay for the drug test. Once on board, you are subject to random drug testing. Travel: This job requires occasional travel. Security Clearance: This position requires a security clearance. If selected for this position, you should be able to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance. Language Requirement: For positions in Puerto Rico, applicants must be able to read, write and speak Spanish, fluently. How You Will Be Evaluated: You will be evaluated based upon the resume/transcript (if applicable) and responses you provide on the job specific questionnaire that is required as part of the application process for this position. The automated system will assign you a self-assessment score based on your responses to the on-line questionnaire. You will be assigned a score ranging from 70 to 100 points. Candidates will be referred for selection in accordance with the terms of the agency merit promotion plan. Candidates with high enough scores will be referred to the geographic locations identified. Alternate candidates (non-competitive candidates) will be referred for selection consideration provided you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements. If you are rated ineligible due to an incorrect response or missing documents you must reapply to be eligible for future consideration. Note: There may be occasions where selection consideration is limited to current Customs and Border Protection employees, Department of Homeland Security employees, or Federal employees (those employed outside the Department of Homeland Security) with competitive status and/or based on working/residing within a particular commuting area. Benefits: The federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. These benefits include, but are not limited to: health care, life insurance, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, annual and sick leave, long-term care insurance, and retirement savings plans, and transit subsidies. For more information about these benefits, please visit http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp. Other Information: You must submit all required information at the time of submission of your application. Note: If you are applying on the closing date of the announcement, your application and all supporting documents must be received by 12:00 midnight (Eastern Time). If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide an email address, you will not be notified of the outcome of your application. All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments. Equal Employment Opportunity: The agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, status as a parent, lawful political affiliation, marital status, physical/mental disability (if not a job factor), membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factor. Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action. E-Verify - CBP uses E-Verify to validate all newly hired applicants' ability to work legally in the United States. For more information on E-Verify, please follow this link. http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/e-ver-employee-rights.pdf Selective Service - If you are a male applicant 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 the Selective Service Law. How To Apply: You will be required to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload your documentation in the system called Application Manager. Initially, the Application Manager requires you to create an account. Once your account is created, Application Manager provides a site where you can track the status of jobs you have applied to at Customs and Border Protection; uploaded documentation; view/print copies of notification letters; or print a copy of your questionnaire. Application Manager has a navigation box that appears on the left side of the screen whenever you are working on an Application Package. The items listed in the navigation box are pages you need to visit, and represent steps you need to complete, in order for your Application Package to reach the status of Complete. You can "Save" an incomplete application and return to finish the process at a later date provided the announcement has not closed. You must submit your application package (your assessment questionnaire and documentation) before the closing date posted on the vacancy announcement. Note: If you start a questionnaire please complete it in its entirety before "Submitting." An incomplete questionnaire will affect your rating or may result in your application being rated ineligible. You may complete the assessment questionnaire more than once, but your rating will be based on the most recent submission. Instructional guidance listed below: To Start A New Assessment Questionnaire: Click the Apply Online button. Create an account and complete the Assessment Questionnaire. If you already have an account, log in with your User ID and Password to complete the Assessment Questionnaire. To Save An Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire: Scroll to the top or bottom of the page Click the "Save" button. When the page refreshes, click the "Logout" button. To Return To A Saved/Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire: Click this link to Return To Application Manager: http://ApplicationManager.gov Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the "My Application Packages" page. Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number of the application that you want to complete. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status. Select the "Complete Application Package" button, which will take you to the assessment questionnaire. As you complete each page of the questionnaire click the "Next" button. Once you have completed the assessment questionnaire the "Upload Documents" page will display. Follow the procedures outlined on the upload documents page. You will receive an "Upload Successful" acknowledgement each time you attach a document file. Once you have uploaded all of your documentation and the file is displayed in the table, select the "Next" button. Click the "Submit My Answers" button to complete the application package. You will receive a confirmation that your submission was successful. You have the option to view or print a copy of your assessment questionnaire and responses by clicking the View/Print My Answers link. To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents: If you previously uploaded documents to this vacancy, please do not fax the same documents. If you need to fax a part of your documentation: Click on the link below to obtain the special application cover page. http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf Make sure that you include the 8-character vacancy identification number LN286573. Provide your SSN, name, and address in the blocks provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application. Print your SSN and name neatly using the exact name as the one used when you filled out the assessment questionnaire. The fax number is 1-478-757-3144. Faxed documents submitted with missing information will not be processed. The following will prevent your documents from being processed: Not using the special cover page mentioned above. Missing, incomplete, or invalid Vacancy Identification Number Missing or incomplete Social Security Number or name Required Documents: To submit the documents requested follow the options listed above. Your resume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically using the document upload process or faxed to the number provided. (For instructions on faxing documents, please read the section "To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents"). Please ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone and at least the last four digits of your social security number. In addition to completing an on-line questionnaire and uploading your resume, your application may require additional supporting documentation. These supporting documents, if applicable, must be submitted or you will not receive appropriate consideration. With the exception of current CBP employees, ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' MUST submit a copy of their SF-50B, Notification of Personnel Action, showing competitive status in Tenure (Block 24) and Position Occupied (Block 34). The SF-50B should also reflect the highest grade level held on a permanent basis for the full performance level of the current position, whichever is higher. If you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not be given further consideration under this announcement. Proof of Eligibility if applying for consideration under a priority selection program (e.g., CTAP/ICTAP) or a special appointing authority. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. For those instances where the best-qualified lists include applicants with scores less than 85, the well-qualified score becomes the lowest score on the best qualified list. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) or equivalent that documents separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. If you are basing your qualifications on education, you must provide transcripts. Education must be from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable for qualifications requirements unless it has been evaluated. For graduates of foreign universities, the applicant must submit an evaluation for all coursework from an organization recognized as specializing in interpretation of education credentials. For a listing of accredited agencies, please see www.naces.org/members.htm Foreign Education: Education completed at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements. You must show proof that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. educational programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value; or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. If you are applying under a special Veteran Appointing Authority you MUST submit the following proof of eligibility: VRA: Please submit a DD 214 (Member Copy 4) and VA letter if eligibility is based on disability. VEOA: Please submit a DD 214 (Member Copy 4). If you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military. For more information about these Veteran Appointing Authorities click this link: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp When submitting Veterans documents, please upload them under miscellaneous documents. NOTE: Veterans’ preference is not applicable to Merit Promotion announcements. This is a Merit Promotion announcement, therefore, Veteran's documentation is requested only to verify VEOA or VRA eligibility. The documentation is not used for the purpose of awarding preference. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. If you are unable to apply on-line, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed (i.e., resume, veteran’s documentation, assessment questions and answers, and SF 50’s) is received and is accurate. If a document is not in a legible format, an applicant will not be able to view it and must again upload or fax the documentation by the closing date of the announcement. An applicant can verify that the information has been received by following the instructions below. 1. Click this link to Return to Application Manager: https://applicationmanager.gov/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fhome.aspx 2. Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the “My Application Packages” page. 3. Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number you want to view. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status. 4. Click on the details list and click on View by the document you want to see. If prompted choose OPEN. You may have to choose a program with which to view the document, choose Adobe 6.0. Contact Information: Staffing Team C Phone: (612)467-7035 Fax: (478)757-3144 Email: cbp.MHC-StaffingTeamC@dhs.gov Or write: Minneapolis Hiring Center Bishop Henry Whipple Bldg Suite 466 Fort Snelling, MN 55111 Fax: (478)757-3144 What To Expect Next: Once you have completed the application process and submitted your answers, you will receive notification via email. (You may still need to upload supporting documentation.) Your application will remain in the inventory of tentatively qualified applicants. You will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the selecting official each time your name is referred on a certificate for consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We expect to make selections within 120 days of each certificate issued. If you are referred on a certificate, you will be notified of the outcome once certificates are returned. EEO Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/raps Veterans Information: http://www.usajobs.gov/vi Legal and Regulatory Guidance: http://www.usajobs.gov/lrg USAJOBS Control Number: 1682442 Control Number: 83455462

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Department:
Department Of Homeland Security
Agency:
Customs and Border Protection
Job Announcement Number:
MHCBPMP-286573-OC
Job Title:
Sector Enforcement Specialist
Salary Range:
27,026.00 - 53,234.00 USD /year
Series & Grade:
GS-1801-05/09
Promotion Potential:
9
Open Period:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 to Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Position Information:
Full Time Career/Career Conditional
Duty Locations:
Many vacancies - Throughout the Nation
Who May Be Considered:
See "Who May Apply" section for complete details
Job Summary:

CBP: Securing America's Borders

Whether on the frontlines or serving behind the scenes supporting our mission, the men and women of CBP are dedicated to keeping America safe. CBP counts on them. Our Nation counts on them. Can we count on you?

This is an open continuous announcement which will establish an inventory of applicants interested in a career as a Sector Enforcement Specialist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This applicant inventory will be used to fill vacancies as they occur within the Office of Border Patrol at various locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to maximize their employment opportunities. Applicant selection referral lists will be issued, as needed, for the duration of this announcement. Although this announcement is advertised for multiple duty locations and grade levels; it is not intended to convey any expectation that positions will be filled at all duty locations or grade levels.

CBP Mission Statement: We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity, and professionalism Discover a challenging and rewarding career in CBP, the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. As part of our carefully selected, highly trained team, you'll leverage state-of-the art technology, innovative strategies and world-wide partnerships to protect our communities and defend our frontier.

At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we

Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country
Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products
Prevent unauthorized entry into the country
Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border

For more information about CBP's mission, activities, and careers, please visit our web site, http://www.cbp.gov/.

Who May Apply:

Current Federal employees with competitive status and former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility.

Current and former Federal employees who meet the established criteria in an Office of Personnel Management Interchange Agreement.

Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service will receive consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

If you are a non-status candidate, you may also apply through VIN # 286476.

Organizational Location: Positions will be filled within Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol, in various locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

For a list of all possible duty stations, please see the "Duties" section of this announcement.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Relocation Information: To compare cost of living data, calculate mortgage scenarios, or gather information on communities and school districts, please visit the website: http://www.relocationessentials.com/aff/lifecare/tools/salary/col.aspx

Salary: The salary shown above includes the base pay for the lowest grade and the highest step of the highest possible grade. Salaries vary by grade level and are adjusted for the locality. The following link displays the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the last table listed "Rest of the United States". http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/indexGS.asp

Key Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship
Background Security Investigation
Residency Requirement

Major Duties:

As a Sector Enforcement Specialist, you will support the enforcement operations of this agency and other agencies of the border enforcement community. Specifically, you will monitor the operation of communication links; develop pertinent background data; research local, national and international automated enforcement information systems for the purposes of identifying and developing applicable tactical and operational data; and communicate the results of data searches back to the inquiring parties. Additionally, you will provide emergency assistance to law enforcement personnel; monitor the operation of radio and network equipment; conduct the initial analysis when equipment/transmission problems are encountered; and initiate actions required to restore radio communications as appropriate. You will also receive, develop, refine and analyze data impacting real-time enforcement operations.

HOW LONG WILL THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BE USED? This announcement may be used for approximately one year beginning Tuesday, September 22, 2009 You must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements at the time of application.

WHERE WILL POSITIONS BE FILLED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT?
Positions will be filled at multiple locations throughout the United States. See list below to view the list of locations. You will be asked to identify your location preferences in the on-line application process. You may select no more than five duty locations. Once you accept or decline a job offer you will not receive further consideration under this announcement unless you re-apply. You can only have one application at a time, for this announcement. If you re-apply, only your most recent application will be considered.

Listed below are duty locations where positions may be filled under this announcement:

Blaine Sector

Marfa Sector

Blaine Sector HQ, Blaine, WA

Marfa Sector HQ, Marfa, TX

Buffalo Sector

Miami Sector

Buffalo Sector HQ, Grand Island, NY

Miami Sector HQ, Pembroke Pines, FL

Del Rio Sector

Del Rio Sector HQ, Del Rio, TX

New Orleans Sector

Eagle Pass North Station, Eagle Pass, TX

New Orleans Sector HQ, New Orleans, LA

Detroit Sector

Ramey Sector

Detroit Sector HQ, Selfridge ANGB, MI

Ramey Sector HQ, Aguadilla, PR

El Centro Sector

Rio Grande Valley Sector

Calexico Station, Calexico, CA

Brownsville Station, Olmito, TX

El Centro Station, Imperial, CA

Harlingen Station, Harlingen, TX

El Centro Sector HQ, El Centro, CA

Rio Grande Valley Sector, McAllen, TX

Indio Station, Indio, CA

El Paso Sector

San Diego Sector

Deming Station, Deming, NM

San Diego Sector HQ, Chula Vista, CA

El Paso Sector HQ, El Paso, TX

San Diego Sector, San Ysidro, CA

Grand Forks Sector

Spokane Sector

Grand Forks Sector HQ, Grand Forks, ND

Spokane Sector HQ, Spokane, WA

Havre Sector

Swanton Sector

Havre Sector HQ, Havre, MT

Swanton Sector HQ, Swanton, VT

Houlton Sector

Tucson Sector

Houlton Sector HQ, Hodgdon, ME

Douglas Station, Douglas, AZ

Nogales Station, Nogales, AZ

Tucson Sector HQ, Tucson, AZ

Laredo Sector

Laredo Sector HQ, Laredo, TX

Yuma Sector

Yuma Sector HQ, Yuma AZ

Qualifications:

Qualifications by Application Date: You must meet all qualification requirements at the time of the submission of your application. If your qualifications and eligibility change, you will need to update your responses in the questionnaire and/or resume reflecting those changes otherwise, you will continue to receive consideration under your original application.

Please note that qualification claims are subject to verification through a review of your work experience as provided in your resume and narrative responses to assessment questions. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or terminating you after you begin employment.

GS-5: You qualify at the GS-5 level if you possess three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level. The experience must demonstrate the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in details to enforcement and intelligence elements; examining data files to identify needed additions, deletions, corrections, or other information changes; conducting less complicated data searches and analyses; participating with service personnel in network analysis projects; and reviewing and updating operational instructions to reflect changing mission support requirements.

You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree (or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree) for the experience required at the GS-5 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. Note: If selected, you may be required to submit a copy of your transcripts.

GS-7: You qualify at the GS-7 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, the specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level. Examples include searching large law enforcement databases to obtain information in support of law enforcement activities and relaying it to appropriate staff under stressful and/or emergency situations; maintaining automated law enforcement records, cross-referencing information, and extracting files or data in response to inquiries; and researching multiple law enforcement files and records to resolve inconsistencies.

You may substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-7 level. You must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.

You may also substitute successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education for the experience required at the GS-7 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

GS-9: You qualify at the GS-9 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the duties of this position. To be credit able, the specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Examples include coordinating extensive law enforcement activities using a variety of communications equipment; retrieving, analyzing, and interpreting (for applicability) sensitive law enforcement data from a variety of sources in response to requests for information; and making critical decisions in conjunction with searches of automated databases in stressful and emergency situations to assist and protect law enforcement officials.

You may substitute successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in an accredited college or university, or a L.L.B. degree may be substituted for experience at the GS-9 grade level. Such education must demonstrate the skills needed to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 36 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 2 years of full-time study requirement.

Combining Experience and Education at the GS-5/7/9 Grade Levels: To combine your education and experience, you must convert each to a percentage, and then add the percentages. The combined total of your percentage of education and experience must equal at least 100% in order to qualify. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages of education and experience. The two percentages must total at least 100%. (NOTE: only graduate education in excess of the amount required at the next lower grade can be combined to meet this requirement at the GS-9.

For positions in Puerto Rico; you must be able to read, write and speak Spanish fluently.

U.S. Citizenship: Candidates must be United States citizens and present proof of citizenship, if selected.

Residency: If you are not currently a CBP employee, you must meet one or more of the following primary residence criteria for the last three years prior to submitting your application for employment:

a) Resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations);

b) Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or

c) Been a dependent of a U.S. federal or military employee serving overseas.

Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, the church records for the applicant's overseas church missions, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. Applicants must provide this information when filing their application for employment.

Time in grade: Only those applicants who have met time-in-grade requirements at the time of application will be referred for selection consideration. Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of service equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position to be filled.

Background Security Investigation: You will need to successfully complete a background investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

Overtime and Shift Work: This job requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work. You must be available for such assignments.

Drug Testing: This job has been identified as "testing designated" under our Drug-Free Workplace Program. Therefore, you must satisfactorily complete a drug test prior to being hired. The agency will schedule, provide and pay for the drug test. Once on board, you are subject to random drug testing.

Travel: This job requires occasional travel.

Security Clearance: This position requires a security clearance. If selected for this position, you should be able to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance.

Language Requirement: For positions in Puerto Rico, applicants must be able to read, write and speak Spanish, fluently.

How You Will Be Evaluated:

You will be evaluated based upon the resume/transcript (if applicable) and responses you provide on the job specific questionnaire that is required as part of the application process for this position. The automated system will assign you a self-assessment score based on your responses to the on-line questionnaire. You will be assigned a score ranging from 70 to 100 points.

Candidates will be referred for selection in accordance with the terms of the agency merit promotion plan. Candidates with high enough scores will be referred to the geographic locations identified.

Alternate candidates (non-competitive candidates) will be referred for selection consideration provided you meet the basic qualification and eligibility requirements.

If you are rated ineligible due to an incorrect response or missing documents you must reapply to be eligible for future consideration.

Note: There may be occasions where selection consideration is limited to current Customs and Border Protection employees, Department of Homeland Security employees, or Federal employees (those employed outside the Department of Homeland Security) with competitive status and/or based on working/residing within a particular commuting area.

Benefits:

The federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. These benefits include, but are not limited to: health care, life insurance, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, annual and sick leave, long-term care insurance, and retirement savings plans, and transit subsidies. For more information about these benefits, please visit http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp.

Other Information:

You must submit all required information at the time of submission of your application. Note: If you are applying on the closing date of the announcement, your application and all supporting documents must be received by 12:00 midnight (Eastern Time). If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide an email address, you will not be notified of the outcome of your application.

All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, status as a parent, lawful political affiliation, marital status, physical/mental disability (if not a job factor), membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factor.

Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.

False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

E-Verify - CBP uses E-Verify to validate all newly hired applicants' ability to work legally in the United States. For more information on E-Verify, please follow this link.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/e-ver-employee-rights.pdf

Selective Service - If you are a male applicant 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 the Selective Service Law.

How To Apply:

You will be required to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload your documentation in the system called Application Manager. Initially, the Application Manager requires you to create an account. Once your account is created, Application Manager provides a site where you can track the status of jobs you have applied to at Customs and Border Protection; uploaded documentation; view/print copies of notification letters; or print a copy of your questionnaire.
Application Manager has a navigation box that appears on the left side of the screen whenever you are working on an Application Package. The items listed in the navigation box are pages you need to visit, and represent steps you need to complete, in order for your Application Package to reach the status of Complete.
You can "Save" an incomplete application and return to finish the process at a later date provided the announcement has not closed. You must submit your application package (your assessment questionnaire and documentation) before the closing date posted on the vacancy announcement.
Note: If you start a questionnaire please complete it in its entirety before "Submitting." An incomplete questionnaire will affect your rating or may result in your application being rated ineligible. You may complete the assessment questionnaire more than once, but your rating will be based on the most recent submission.
Instructional guidance listed below:
To Start A New Assessment Questionnaire:

Click the Apply Online button.
Create an account and complete the Assessment Questionnaire.
If you already have an account, log in with your User ID and Password to complete the Assessment Questionnaire.

To Save An Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire:

Scroll to the top or bottom of the page
Click the "Save" button. When the page refreshes, click the "Logout" button.

To Return To A Saved/Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire:

Click this link to Return To Application Manager: http://ApplicationManager.gov

Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the "My Application Packages" page.
Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number of the application that you want to complete. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status.
Select the "Complete Application Package" button, which will take you to the assessment questionnaire. As you complete each page of the questionnaire click the "Next" button.
Once you have completed the assessment questionnaire the "Upload Documents" page will display. Follow the procedures outlined on the upload documents page. You will receive an "Upload Successful" acknowledgement each time you attach a document file. Once you have uploaded all of your documentation and the file is displayed in the table, select the "Next" button.
Click the "Submit My Answers" button to complete the application package. You will receive a confirmation that your submission was successful. You have the option to view or print a copy of your assessment questionnaire and responses by clicking the View/Print My Answers link.

To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents:

If you previously uploaded documents to this vacancy, please do not fax the same documents. If you need to fax a part of your documentation:

Click on the link below to obtain the special application cover page. http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf
Make sure that you include the 8-character vacancy identification number LN286573. Provide your SSN, name, and address in the blocks provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application. Print your SSN and name neatly using the exact name as the one used when you filled out the assessment questionnaire. The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.

Faxed documents submitted with missing information will not be processed. The following will prevent your documents from being processed:

Not using the special cover page mentioned above.
Missing, incomplete, or invalid Vacancy Identification Number
Missing or incomplete Social Security Number or name

Required Documents:

To submit the documents requested follow the options listed above. Your resume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically using the document upload process or faxed to the number provided. (For instructions on faxing documents, please read the section "To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents"). Please ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone and at least the last four digits of your social security number.

In addition to completing an on-line questionnaire and uploading your resume, your application may require additional supporting documentation. These supporting documents, if applicable, must be submitted or you will not receive appropriate consideration.

With the exception of current CBP employees, ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' MUST submit a copy of their SF-50B, Notification of Personnel Action, showing competitive status in Tenure (Block 24) and Position Occupied (Block 34). The SF-50B should also reflect the highest grade level held on a permanent basis for the full performance level of the current position, whichever is higher. If you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not be given further consideration under this announcement.

Proof of Eligibility if applying for consideration under a priority selection program (e.g., CTAP/ICTAP) or a special appointing authority. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. For those instances where the best-qualified lists include applicants with scores less than 85, the well-qualified score becomes the lowest score on the best qualified list. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) or equivalent that documents separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

If you are basing your qualifications on education, you must provide transcripts. Education must be from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable for qualifications requirements unless it has been evaluated. For graduates of foreign universities, the applicant must submit an evaluation for all coursework from an organization recognized as specializing in interpretation of education credentials. For a listing of accredited agencies, please see www.naces.org/members.htm

Foreign Education: Education completed at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements. You must show proof that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. educational programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value; or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

If you are applying under a special Veteran Appointing Authority you MUST submit the following proof of eligibility:

VRA: Please submit a DD 214 (Member Copy 4) and VA letter if eligibility is based on disability.
VEOA: Please submit a DD 214 (Member Copy 4).
If you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military.
For more information about these Veteran Appointing Authorities click this link:

http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp

When submitting Veterans documents, please upload them under miscellaneous documents.

NOTE: Veterans’ preference is not applicable to Merit Promotion announcements. This is a Merit Promotion announcement, therefore, Veteran's documentation is requested only to verify VEOA or VRA eligibility. The documentation is not used for the purpose of awarding preference.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. If you are unable to apply on-line, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed (i.e., resume, veteran’s documentation, assessment questions and answers, and SF 50’s) is received and is accurate. If a document is not in a legible format, an applicant will not be able to view it and must again upload or fax the documentation by the closing date of the announcement. An applicant can verify that the information has been received by following the instructions below.

1. Click this link to Return to Application Manager: https://applicationmanager.gov/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fhome.aspx

2. Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the “My Application Packages” page.

3. Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number you want to view. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status.

4. Click on the details list and click on View by the document you want to see. If prompted choose OPEN. You may have to choose a program with which to view the document, choose Adobe 6.0.

Contact Information:
Staffing Team C
Phone: (612)467-7035
Fax: (478)757-3144
Email: cbp.MHC-StaffingTeamC@dhs.gov
Or write:
Minneapolis Hiring Center
Bishop Henry Whipple Bldg
Suite 466
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Fax: (478)757-3144
What To Expect Next:

Once you have completed the application process and submitted your answers, you will receive notification via email. (You may still need to upload supporting documentation.) Your application will remain in the inventory of tentatively qualified applicants. You will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the selecting official each time your name is referred on a certificate for consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We expect to make selections within 120 days of each certificate issued. If you are referred on a certificate, you will be notified of the outcome once certificates are returned.

EEO Policy Statement:   http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement:   http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Veterans Information:   http://www.usajobs.gov/vi
Legal and Regulatory Guidance:   http://www.usajobs.gov/lrg
USAJOBS Control Number: 1682442

Control Number: 83455462