Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens, Career Transition Assistance Plan DHS employees, Reemployment Priority List, Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Federal Employees. This announcement will be utilized to fill positions through the Direct Hire Authority.

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to utilize your expertise with the Medical Qualification team implementing medical requirements and making determinations for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection positions with a pre-employment medical requirement. As a Nurse Consultant on the Medical Qualification team, you will perform extensive review of medical records of job applicants to CBP.

This position starts at a salary of $120,579.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $156,755.00 (GS-13, Step 10).

Major duties include:

• Serving as an agency-wide technical expert in the field of medical and health programs with emphasis on employee Fitness for Duty Evaluation, Return to Work cases, and the Agency Drug-Free Workplace Program.
• Performing ongoing reviews of medical documentation submitted by employees to support requested leave in accordance with Federal laws, and transfers of Duty Station requests in compliance with provisions set forth in Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Testifying in EEO and Merit System Protection Board hearings.
• Participating in job analyses to support the development of medical and physical fitness standards for certain job series within CBP.
• Serving as a Level II and/or III Contracting Officer's Representative (9COR) for the agency's medical services contract.

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
• 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.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

Education: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional registered nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Nurse Licensure/Registration: For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination. In addition, they must possess and maintain a current, active, full, and unrestricted license as a registered nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

AND

Experience: In addition to the mandatory license and education described above under Basic Requirements applicants must have at least one or more full years of professional nursing experience that is equivalent to the next lower grade level. You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one or more full years of professional nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Providing medical expertise associated with broad range of health programs offered by the agency.
• Preparing case reviews, interpreting medical and other data.
• Researching medical issues and trends, including new medical technologies and treatment modalities.

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.

NOTE: Conferred Transcripts (unofficial transcripts will be accepted at the time of application; official transcripts will be requested upon selection) AND a copy of current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse documentation must be provided at the time of application. Failure to submit proper documentation may result in loss of consideration.

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 11/17/2025.

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

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

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 the medical implications of Federal regulations, policies, and procedures as pertain to federal employment, including the ability to interpret and apply these guidelines effectively to ensure compliance and support organizational objectives.
• Knowledge and experience with new and emerging healthcare treatment modalities, including the ability to assess, implement, and integrate innovative practices to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
• Knowledge and experience in ensuring workforce safety, including the ability to develop, implement, and oversee policies, procedures, and programs that promote a safe and secure working environment while adhering to applicable regulations and standards.
• Knowledge of contracting policies, procedures, and regulations required to effectively serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), including the ability to oversee contract performance, ensure compliance, and manage contractor relationships in alignment with federal acquisition standards.
• Ability to effectively manage and maintain a large caseload while adhering to established case management policies and timelines with knowledge and experience in case management relating to occupational health nursing.

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.

• 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, to include 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/12827484
• Your transcripts: All applicants are required to submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. If you are a current CBP employee within the position series announced, transcripts will not be required at the time of application; however, education will be verified if you are selected and you may be required to submit transcripts at that time. 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. Note: If submitting documentation of an evaluation, transcripts are still required. For a listing of some accrediting agencies see NACES | Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members. See https://www.accreditation.info/education-quality/usa-recognition.html for more information.
• 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 initial and termination SF-50s.

Next steps