Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Career Transition Assistance Plan DHS employees, Reemployment Priority List, Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Federal Employees.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring for law enforcement jobs that have an exciting opportunity! Once onboarded, you'll first be assigned for up to one year to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The law enforcement component of the D.C. Task Force is a partnership of over 20 federal and local agencies working together to make D.C. the safest city in America. Once the assignment ends, you'll transition back to support the CBP. Visit the D.C. Task Force page for more information.

The Criminal Investigator (Cyber) applies a high level of specialized investigative knowledge specific to digital forensics and cybercrimes to a variety of extremely complex, difficult, and sensitive criminal, civil and administrative investigations concerning alleged violations of the United States Code, departmental and CBP policies, procedures and directives while maintaining the highest standards of honesty, integrity, suitability, and security in the CBP workforce. They are expected to be fully trained, certified in various security and forensic tools, technically competent, able to operate independently, and have extensive experience in both Cyber and traditional criminal investigations. The individual is a subject matter expert in digital forensics and relied upon to investigate cybercrimes and related misconduct, provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations as necessary. This position starts at a salary of $129,258.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $168,040.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

Duties include:

• Conducting criminal and administrative investigations involving digital evidence and computer networks. As a Senior Cyber Criminal Agent you are responsible for identifying, collecting, examining, and preserving evidence using controlled and documented forensics techniques in dead box, mobile, and network environments, sharing your extensive experience in digital forensic examinations to less experienced Cyber Criminal Agents.
• Employing authorities and capabilities, and extensive experience as a digital forensics examiner to support cyber investigations of crime in proactive and/or reactive manner. Applying a mastery level of knowledge of theories, concepts, principles, practices, laws, regulations, and methods of criminal investigations related to digital forensics.
• Investigating individuals, businesses, employees, and criminal organizations that represent a significant threat to U.S. national security through the corruption, or attempted corruption, of agency personnel and programs, to include foreign intelligence organizations and terrorist groups seeking to compromise agency personnel.
• Coordinating jurisdictional overlap and resource issues with other federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
• Financial Disclosure is required.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.
• Mobility Agreement: Selectees will be required to sign a mobility agreement upon acceptance of this position. The selectee may be required to relocate to another duty location in accordance with applicable law, regulation and Agency policy, to a different geographic location, at any time during your employment with CBP.
• Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.

Relocation: Relocation expenses will be paid in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation limits and agency policy.

Applicant Cap: This announcement will open for 5 business days or until the first 100 applications have been received, which happens first. It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible in order to receive consideration.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Conducting or supporting criminal and/or administrative investigations on employees and/or associated individuals who are suspected of misconduct, corruption, extortion, and other violations affecting national security involving digital evidence and computer networks, including assessing initial cybercrime allegations, recommending required investigative resources, gathering or preserving digital evidence, and examining digital evidence to support investigations.
• Preparing detailed reports of investigations and briefings regarding ongoing cyber investigations or investigative support to agency management, U.S. Attorney's Office and/or local District Attorney's Office; and drafting electronic surveillance orders or affidavits and executing search and arrest warrants and subpoenas. Peer reviewing digital forensic investigative or analytical reports for accuracy and technical sufficiency
• Serving as a senior case agent for interagency investigations, potentially representing OPR on interagency taskforces, and leading teams of other Special Agents and law enforcement officers in investigations and operations.
• Possessing an expert-level knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity and privacy, including electronic evidence law.
• Mentoring and assisting in the professional development of less experienced or newly hired agents requiring developmental or technical assistance.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 05/06/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process.

Medical Examination: Individuals must meet the established medical standards and/or physical requirement for the position, proving they are medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently. A medical examination will be conducted. Any disease or condition that may potentially interfere with the safe and efficient performance of the job's duties or training may constitute grounds for medical disqualification. Medical qualification determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis. If additional medical information is recommended beyond that provided at the pre-employment examination, it is provided at the expense of the tentative selectee.

Firearms Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm and maintain firearm proficiency. This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.

Polygraph Examination: The Criminal Investigator (Cyber) 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.

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 will be subject to random drug testing.

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This position is being filled under a Direct Hire Authority. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. All applicants who meet minimum qualifications and any basic requirements applicable to this position, will be forwarded to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager.

The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Knowledge of, and experience with, federal administrative policy and regulations pertaining to the performance and evaluation of investigations and inspections as well as policy and regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge and skill in oral and written communications are necessary to communicate sound and effective recommendations regarding policies and to communicate and disseminating information.
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence, criminal procedures, and court decisions concerning admissibility of evidence, constitutional rights, search and seizure, apprehension and detention of suspects, and related investigative and law enforcement matters.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local law enforcement agency functions and jurisdictions to include the need to coordinate investigations where agencies have a mutual interest.
• Skill in preparing clear, concise, and accurate correspondence and reports for leadership and other agency representatives.

Applicants should strive to include information in their resumes to reflect each of the competencies and resumes should not exceed 2 pages.

Writing Sample: A writing sample may be requested.

Veterans: Veterans preference does not apply to selections made using the Direct Hire Authority. Veteran applicants will be considered along with all other applicants who apply.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must have knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as defined above which clearly exceed the minimum qualification and any applicable basic requirements for the vacancy. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

• Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, phone number, relevant work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, including Office 365 passwords. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12934440
• Age Requirement Documents: If you are over the age of 37 you will need to submit proof you are eligible for this position. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement.
  • DD 214 (Member Copy 4); and
  • If you are a veteran with a service-connected disability; A VA Disability Award letter dated 1991 or later
  • Active Duty Applicants: Statement of Service (Certification letter): If on active duty you must submit certification with the military branch letterhead that contains (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) campaign badges and expeditionary medals earned; and (3) the character of service. Your preference will be verified by a Member Copy 4 of your DD 214 upon separation from the military. For more information visit Veterans' Preference
• Prior Federal Law Enforcement Service: If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service; you must submit copies of your SF-50s reflecting the beginning date and end date of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20), and Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Block 30 of your SF-50 should show Retirement Code M or O.
  
  Veterans Preference: Applicants who do not meet the age requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C § 3312 must submit the following documents to verify their claim:

*Although Veterans' Preference does not apply to Direct Hire Authority, upon selection, veterans' documents may be required.

• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), or the Reemployment Priority List (RPL)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; 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 of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456; or RPL registration documentation.
• Are you a current or former federal employee? If yes, it is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions. Retired former federal employees are required to submit your retirement SF-50 and encouraged to submit your most recent annuity statement.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Position title
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
  • Agency
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment

Next steps