Working as a CBP Officer can be both mentally and physically taxing. As a result, the application process to become a CBP Officer ensures that those chosen can perform the duties that are expected of them.
If you want to work at CBP, this article will walk you through the entire process.
Origin of CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP, is one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations, with over 60,000 employees. Its mission is to keep terrorists and their weapons out of the United States while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.
CBP, as the nation’s first unified border entity, takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into a single coordinated and supportive activity.
Its vision is to improve national security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust, as well as to protect the American people, secure our borders, and boost the country’s economic prosperity.
What Type of People Does CBP Employ?
Because the competition for an officer position with US Customs and Border Protection is fierce, they choose only the most qualified candidates for the few available positions.
A high school diploma or GED is required for applicants, but there is also a requirement for three years of professional experience involving meeting and dealing with people, which can be fulfilled with a bachelor’s degree.
Although there are no formal requirements for majors, coursework in ROTC, criminal justice, or law frequently provides some competitive advantages.
What Are the Job Requirements for CBP?
- A bachelor’s degree or three years of supervisory or leadership experience is required for entry with a GS-5 rating.
- A full year of graduate education, a master’s degree or higher, is required for entry as a GS-7.
- GS-7 candidates must also have at least one year of specialized professional experience in border, port, or airport screening or inspection operations.
- Candidates must be able to show a working knowledge of import/export laws and regulations, as well as passenger screening.
- Candidates must be able to conduct analytical evaluations of data and information gathered during investigations.
Applicants should also have the following basic qualifications:
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must be under the age of 37.
- Has been resident in the U.S. for the three years prior to applying
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Pass a medical exam
- You must pass a drug test
- Pass a security background check
You can read this: Hiring Process Flowchart | Job Application, Interviews, and Employment.
Applying for CBP Officer Jobs
To apply, first, check USAjobs.gov to see if a CBP officer position is available. If a position becomes available, you must go to the Office of Personnel Management and fill out the pre-test form.
If the candidate’s pre-test responses are approved, he or she will be asked to submit personal information for a cursory background check.
- You must pass a five-hour written test that assesses the candidates’ reasoning abilities.
- CBP experience and writing abilities
- In addition, the candidate must submit an application package that includes the following items:
- If you have previously worked for the federal government, use Resume Form 306 to apply.
- Agreements between CBP Officers
- Transcripts from college
- Documentation for the Career Transition Assistance Program
- Documentation of Veteran Preference
CBP Hiring Process
Below are stages of the CBP hiring process:
Stage one- Apply
To apply, go to USAJOBS and search for the position title or the Apply Now link. To begin your online application, you must first create a USA Jobs account and self-certify your qualifications.
They will ask you to submit your resume, transcripts, and other documents to prove your age and whether or not you are a veteran.
Stage two- Take the Entrance Exam (GS-9 waiver)
You have to pass the entrance exam to become a CBP Officer. They divide the exam into two parts. The online Candidate Experience Record is the first component.
This test will take you less they can complete than an hour to complete and on your own computer or phone.
The second component is a local testing center exam that includes logic-based reasoning, arithmetic reasoning, writing skills, and work style. Applicants who qualify at the GS-9 level are exempt from taking the entrance exam.
Stage three- Qualifications Review
To ensure your qualifications are correct, submit a properly formatted resume to USAJOBS.
Human Resources Specialists will review your resume and other required documents to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications and to determine which grade you are eligible for.
It is recommended that you submit a resume that appropriately documents your qualifications, a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YYYY – MM/DD/YYYY), and hours worked per week in order for your application to be reviewed quickly and accurately.
You may be rated ineligible if your resume and/or transcripts do not clearly demonstrate how you are qualified.
Stage four- Background Investigation
They subjected CBP Officer candidates to a thorough background investigation. As a condition of being placed in a CBP position, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation. To begin the background investigation, the SF-86 or SF-85 (e-QIP) must be completed.
The preliminary vetting checks, the polygraph examination, the investigation (the field portion and OPM’s National Agency Checks), and the final adjudication comprise the background investigation process.
The results of the vetting checks, polygraph exam, and investigation are analyzed in order to make a final adjudicative determination.
Stage five- Medical Exam
Individuals in this position must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without exacerbating existing health problems or jeopardizing the individual’s, others, or national security’s health and safety.
Following tentative selection, candidates must pass a pre-employment medical exam and be found medically qualified to perform the full range of duties safely and efficiently.
Any disease or condition that could jeopardize the safe and efficient performance of job duties or training could cause medical disqualification.
Stage six- Fitness tests
Individuals in this position must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without exacerbating existing health problems or jeopardizing the individual’s, others, or national security’s health and safety.
Following tentative selection, candidates must pass a pre-employment medical exam and be found medically qualified to perform the full range of duties safely and efficiently.
Any disease or condition that could jeopardize the safe and efficient performance of job duties or training could cause medical disqualification.
Also, you can check this: CBP Officer Hiring Process | Job Application, Interviews, and Employment
Step seven- Polygraph Exam
The polygraph exam is a standardized polygraph examination mandated by the 2010 Anti-Border Corruption Act.
This is a 4-6-hour interview in which you must respond to a series of questions, most of which are related to national security issues, as well as answers you provided on your background investigation forms.
When you answer questions, the polygraph measures your physiological response, and the results are subjected to a quality control review for accuracy.
Step eight- Drug Test
CBP officers are directly responsible for and involved in the interdiction of illegal narcotics, and we routinely exposed them to illegal substances. You will be required to submit to a random drug test during the application process.
Positive test results disqualify applicants. Candidates for CBP Officer must pass two fitness tests. They will perform a medical exam and a drug test.
The candidate’s emotional maturity and personal character will be assessed during a structured interview with a panel of CBP Officers. Finally, a polygraph test and a thorough background check will be performed.
FAQs on How Long Does the CBP Hiring Process Take
The current average time to hire Officers and Agents at CBP is 300 days. The Fast Track Hiring Process aims to reduce the time it takes to hire to 120 days or less.
Applicants who schedule remote interviews will be able to access a virtual waiting room up to 15 minutes before their scheduled interview time via their TTP dashboard or the CBP OneTM Mobile Application, both of which are free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Interviews will last about 15 minutes.
Direct-hire authority allows federal agencies to hire individuals without using traditional rating, ranking, and selection procedures, including the application of veterans’ preferences.
It takes an average of six to nine months to complete the process, according to statistics.
Health issues, complications in your background investigation, or a lack of sufficient or requested information are all factors that can lengthen the process.
They will perform credit and criminal history checks, as well as records, check to verify the citizenship of family members, verification of date of birth, education, employment history, and military history.
It’s been 58 days. The CBP Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, is where all new border patrol agents are trained.
The 58-day training program includes instruction in integrated law, physical training, and firearms.
Conclusion
Because of the demanding nature of the Customs and Border Protection Officer position, you must take part in and pass a structured interview (SI) in which you show you possess the abilities and other characteristics required for Customs and Border Protection Officer positions.
Among these are judgment/decision-making skills, emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, and cooperativeness/sensitivity to others’ needs.
Applying to work in CBP should not be so difficult so far as you take these necessary steps above.
References
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