Summary
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders
Discover a challenging and rewarding career with the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders from terrorism, human/drug smuggling, illegal migration, agricultural pests, and enforcing legitimate travel and trade. CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to exemplify the core values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more at https://www.cbp.gov/about
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Clarification from the agency
Applicants must be current U.S. Citizens to apply
Duties
Being a CBP Technician makes you a valuable member of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Typical assignments include:
- Operating scanning equipment to review contents of packages;
- Examining cargo and merchandise; applying appropriate tariff number, value, and rate of duty and tax to merchandise;
- Reviewing declarations and cargo manifests for completeness and compliance with applicable regulations;
- Coordinating and processing of data (e.g., permits, entries, declarations) into various automated systems;
- More information on CBP Technician specialized experience is listed in the Qualifications section of this announcement.
Salary: Selections from this announcement will be at the GS-5 or GS-6 grade levels with promotion potential to GS-7 and GS-8. Promotions are not guaranteed and are at the discretion of the agency. Your pay will be determined after you successfully complete all pre-employment processes. Pay rates are based on the
2026 OPM Salary Tables - these tables do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases.
Duty Location: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations: San Ysidro and San Francisco, CA; Hartford, CT; Honolulu, HI; Baton Rouge, LA; Calais, Coburn Gore, Houlton, Jackman, and Madawaska, ME; Boston, MA; International Falls, MN; Gulfport, MS; Sweetgrass, MT; Alexandria Bay, Buffalo, Champlain, and Rochester, NY; Pembina and Portal, ND; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; Memphis, TN; Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Presidio, TX; Derby Line, Highgate Springs, and Norton, VT; Blaine and Sumas, WA.
NOTE: The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States. Locations offered at the time of your final offer are based on operational and mission requirements as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations.
Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). For more information, please visit
https://www.nteu.org/who-we-are/what-we-do
Shift Work: You will be required to perform work on a shift and rotational basis.
Overtime: Overtime will not be regularly scheduled; however, you must be available to work overtime on an unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
Residency Requirement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a residency requirement that applies to 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 (3) of the last five (5) years, before completing an application for CBP employment. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) 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 of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government
- Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, consultant or an intern for the U.S. Government
- Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.
Background Investigation: This position is a sensitive National Security position and, upon selection, applicants will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention. For more information, please see the
Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Background Investigation.
Drug Testing Requirements: Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Program. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. For more information, visit our
Drug Testing FAQs and the
Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Drug Test
More requirements listed in the Additional Information section below.
Qualifications
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: experience, education or a combination of both.
Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (e.g., GS-4), performing duties such as:
- Maintaining and preparing files, records, and correspondence
- Entering data into automated systems
- Collecting fees for applications and/or services, reconciling accounts, or billing
OR
Education Substitution: A conferred bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in
any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited business school, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university;
OR
Combining Experience and Education: A combination of specialized experience
AND successfully completed education. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable to combine with experience to meet the requirements.
You qualify for the GS-6 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (e.g., GS-5), performing duties such as:
- Evaluating programs or individuals to ensure compliance with the established rules through audits, reviews, or inspections
- Conducting searches of records and automated systems to obtain information
- Reviewing documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with laws, policies, rules and regulations
- Collecting information and maintaining records such as daily findings, results, procedures, actions-taken, accomplishments, etc.
Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-6 grade level. More information on the CBP Tech qualification standard is located
here.
National Service 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.
Education
See the Qualifications section for education substitution for the GS-5 grade level.
Additional information
Uniform/Grooming Standards: While in a duty status, this position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards.
Probationary Period: You must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Training: You will receive on-the-job training at your official duty location.
Work Environment: Work involves moderate risk depending on current assignment that may require special safety precautions. Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear.
Under Executive Order 14170, you will be asked four essay questions as part of your application, these will not be rated but will be viewable by the hiring manager.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): To be considered, you must submit the documents listed in the Required Documents section. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to ensuring that all of our employees act in a manner that embodies the Department's Mission Statement: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values. 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 here
Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you 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.
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.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Retirement Coverage: Your retirement plan will be under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you have prior Federal government service your retirement is subject to change pending a review of your Official Personnel Folder.
Review our benefits
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the online application questionnaire, and the results of the required USA Hire assessment for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
If you successfully complete the USA Hire assessment and meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
- Best Qualified: Substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications
- Well-Qualified: Exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates average proficiency
- Qualified: Meets the basic minimum qualifications
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the Best Qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on
veterans' preference.
The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot.
Required Documents
All applicants are required to submit a resume.
Resume: A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, phone number, complete work history, a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), as well as your hours worked per week. If you are a current or former Federal employee you must include your grade and step information to receive credit for that work experience.
Note: Federal agencies only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Your resume must be uploaded under the "Resume" document type. No additional document types will be reviewed as part of your resume. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job for further guidance and specific information on required resume formatting.
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable at this time). Transcripts must be in English. An official transcript will be required prior to entrance on duty. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials; see www.naces.org for a listing of some accrediting agencies. If submitting documentation of a foreign evaluation, a transcript is also required. For more information, see Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
Are you a current or former federal employee? If you are a current/former Federal employee, it is recommended you submit your most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" form to support your experience. Please do not submit a Performance Award SF-50.
Are you a veteran? If you claim veterans' preference you will be required to submit proof of eligibility as appropriate to your preference type. For more information, see Veterans Preference.
- 5-point Preference (TP): Submit DD-214 listing the character of service and either qualifying medal(s) or service period.
- 10-point Preference (CP or CPS): Submit DD-214 listing the character of service and a VA Disability Award letter dated 1991 or later showing the total percentage of the service-connected disability. Submitting an SF-15 with your application is encouraged.
- 10-point Preference (XP): You MUST submit a Standard Form 15, DD-214 listing the character of service, and the required documentation stated on the SF-15.
- Currently Serving: If you are currently serving on active duty, you can submit a written signed statement from the Armed Forces certifying your dates of service, rank, campaign badge(s) and expeditionary medal(s) (if applicable), expected character of service, type of discharge and anticipated date of separation which must be within 120 days from the closing date of this announcement. Prior to entering on duty, you will be required to provide a final DD-214.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Program (CTAP) and/or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? You must submit the separation notice from your agency, your most recent performance rating and your most recent SF-50 with your current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must submit all required documentation as specified in the Required Documents section, submit the online application, and complete the USA Hire assessment. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 04/29/2026 of the announcement to receive consideration.
The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Please upload your resume under "Resume" and any other applicable supporting documents mentioned above under the appropriate Document Type. If your Document Type is not listed, upload as "Other." Do notsubmit documents as a PDF Portfolios.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement 04/29/2026.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified via email after submitting your application. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access the USA Hire Assessment using your unique assessment link in the email. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the
USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at
https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
Upload your resume under the "Resume" document type. Any other relevant supporting documents should be uploaded under their appropriate document types as mentioned above. Note that only the most recently uploaded version of your resume will be reviewed. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. You may only submit one application for this announcement. Duplicate applications to this announcement will not be considered.
It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Applicants may not update any part of their application after initial submission. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The email address posted below is for inquiries only.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments (USAH Assessments), you will have the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA must be received
prior to starting the USAH Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you request RA in your application, your application will be placed on hold until a final determination of your request has been made. To determine if you need a RA, please review the USAH Assessment Reasonable Accommodations information found
here.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
CBP 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.
Next steps
Based on your submitted application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be sent an email with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The USA Hire Assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the closing date of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record with OPM for one year and will be used towards future applications with any agency that require the same assessments.
Once the announcement closes, we will review your application and assessment results. If you are found qualified, you may be referred for further consideration. You will be notified by email after each step in the process. By submitting your email address in the application, you consent to CBP offices reaching out to you by email to request additional information if necessary.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to hc-recordsmgmt@cbp.dhs.gov
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.