🟢 Status: OPEN CONTINUOUS | Rolling Announcements — Apply & Set USAJOBS Alert | Source: USAJOBS — CBP Agriculture Specialist
If you hold a science degree and want to protect America’s food supply, prevent invasive species outbreaks, and stop agricultural bioterrorism — all as a federal law enforcement professional — CBP Agriculture Specialist jobs 2026 may be the career you’ve been looking for. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), operating under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), continuously recruits Agriculture Specialists for its Office of Field Operations (OFO) at 328 ports of entry across international airports, seaports, and land border crossings nationwide.
Understanding how to become a CBP Agriculture Specialist starts with recognizing what makes this role genuinely unique in federal service: it sits at the exact intersection of science, law enforcement, and national security. You are the last line of defense against invasive pests, plant diseases, foreign animal diseases, and deliberate agricultural bioterrorism entering the United States — threats that, unchecked, could devastate billions of dollars in US crops and permanently alter the nation’s agricultural landscape.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Agriculture Specialist (CBP Agriculture Specialist — CBPAS) |
| Agency | US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) |
| Department | Department of Homeland Security (DHS) |
| Series | GS-0401 — General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences |
| USAJOBS Announcement | AGS 25-1 / #815462600 (search “Agriculture Specialist CBP” for latest) |
| Pay Scale & Grade | GS-5 to GS-9 entry; career ladder to GS-12 |
| Salary Range (GS-5) | $40,332–$52,429/yr (2026 base + locality) |
| Salary Range (GS-7) | $50,049–$65,064/yr |
| Salary Range (GS-9) | $61,218–$79,581/yr |
| Salary Range (GS-11) | $73,939–$96,116/yr |
| Career Maximum (GS-12) | $88,621–$115,208/yr (non-competitive promotion) |
| Locations | 328 Ports of Entry — international airports, seaports, and land borders nationwide; location negotiable after selection |
| Work Schedule | Full-Time — rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays; CBP operates 24/7/365 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Service Type | Competitive |
| Promotion Potential | GS-12 (non-competitive career ladder) |
| Security Clearance | Background investigation required |
| Drug Test | Required |
| Who May Apply | US Citizens |
| USAJOBS Link | Search “Agriculture Specialist CBP” on USAJOBS.gov |
About the Role
When people search federal jobs biology degree 2026, the CBP Agriculture Specialist position is consistently among the best matches — combining scientific expertise with federal law enforcement authority, nationwide placement options, and a clear non-competitive promotion ladder from GS-5 all the way to GS-12 without reapplying at each step.
CBP Agriculture Specialists operate at 328 US ports of entry — from major international airports like JFK, LAX, O’Hare, and Miami to busy seaports in Long Beach, Newark, and Honolulu, to land border crossings from San Diego to Buffalo. Every day, more than 1 million people and hundreds of thousands of vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and cargo shipments cross US borders. Hidden inside passenger baggage, commercial shipments, mail packages, and cargo containers are potential biological threats that no X-ray machine can identify — only a trained Agriculture Specialist with the scientific knowledge to recognize a restricted plant, an exotic pest, contaminated soil, or a prohibited animal product.
The threats are real and serious. The Spotted Lanternfly, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, Citrus Greening disease, Foot-and-Mouth disease — these invasive species and agricultural diseases have already caused billions in damage after finding pathways into the US. The CBP Agriculture Specialist is the primary federal officer standing between those threats and America’s $1.3 trillion agricultural economy.
Beyond invasive species federal jobs 2026, this role also directly addresses DHS agriculture bioterrorism threats — deliberate introduction of plant pathogens, foreign animal diseases, or biological agents designed to attack the US food supply. This elevates the CBP Agriculture Specialist from a scientific inspector to a homeland security professional.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Inspect passengers, baggage, cargo, vessels, vehicles, aircraft, mail, and commercial shipments at ports of entry for agricultural commodities, restricted plant materials, prohibited animal products, and biological threats
- Identify and intercept harmful plant pests (insects, mites, nematodes, snails), plant diseases (fungi, bacteria, viruses), and foreign animal diseases (Foot-and-Mouth, African Swine Fever, Newcastle Disease) attempting entry into the US
- Assess the agricultural risk of imported commodities and determine admissibility under applicable regulations (Plant Protection Act, Animal Health Protection Act, Lacey Act)
- Conduct pre-clearance inspections at foreign airports and seaports in cooperation with USDA APHIS, quarantining or rejecting non-compliant shipments
- Collect and preserve specimens for laboratory identification; maintain chain of custody for enforcement actions
- Issue Emergency Action Notifications (EANs) and enforce regulatory compliance against violators including importers, brokers, and carriers
- Work with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), US Fish and Wildlife Service, and FDA to coordinate multi-agency enforcement at ports
- Provide agricultural targeting intelligence — analyzing manifests, trade data, and risk profiles to identify high-risk shipments before they arrive at the port
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of phytosanitary regulations, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), and import permit requirements
- Prepare detailed reports, seizure records, and violation notices for administrative and judicial proceedings
CBP Agriculture Specialist Requirements — Qualifications
Basic Education Requirement (All Grades — Non-Negotiable)
Every applicant must meet one of the following education requirements — no exceptions:
| Qualifying Degree | Acceptable Fields |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Chemistry, Animal Science, Plant Science, Pest Management, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Botany, Zoology, or a closely related discipline |
| Combination degree + experience | Coursework equivalent to a major (at least 24 semester hours) in qualifying fields, combined with relevant experience — contact OFO HR for specifics |
⚠️ Critical: Unlike most federal jobs, there is no experience substitution for the education requirement on CBP Agriculture Specialist positions. You must have the science degree (or qualifying coursework). A degree in Criminal Justice, Business, or non-science fields does not qualify.
Grade-Level Qualifications (in addition to basic education)
| Grade | Additional Qualification |
|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor’s degree only — no additional experience required |
| GS-7 | Superior Academic Achievement (top third of graduating class, 3.0+ GPA, or Dean’s List) OR 1 year graduate study OR 1 year specialized experience at GS-5 |
| GS-9 | Master’s degree or 2 years graduate study OR 1 year specialized experience at GS-7 level |
| GS-11 | PhD OR 3 years graduate study OR 1 year specialized experience at GS-9 level |
Other Requirements
- US Citizenship — required; no exceptions
- Background Investigation — required for public trust; full criminal background check
- Drug Test — required pre-employment; CBP has a strict drug policy
- Medical Examination — required post-tentative offer; must meet CBP medical standards for field operations
- Rotating Shifts — must be available to work any shift including nights, weekends, and federal holidays (CBP operates 24/7/365)
- Mobility — final duty location is assigned based on agency need; willingness to relocate required
- Probationary Period — 1 year probationary period during initial appointment
- Driver’s License — valid license required
CBP Agriculture Specialist Salary 2026 — Full Career Ladder
The CBP agriculture specialist salary 2026 figures follow the standard General Schedule with locality pay. Here’s the full career ladder from entry through journey level:
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 | How Reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $40,332/yr | $44,855/yr | $52,429/yr | Entry — bachelor’s degree only |
| GS-7 | $50,049/yr | $55,647/yr | $65,064/yr | 1 year at GS-5 (non-competitive) |
| GS-9 | $61,218/yr | $68,064/yr | $79,581/yr | 1 year at GS-7 (non-competitive) |
| GS-11 | $73,939/yr | $82,231/yr | $96,116/yr | 1 year at GS-9 (non-competitive) |
| GS-12 | $88,621/yr | $98,561/yr | $115,208/yr | 1 year at GS-11 (non-competitive) |
| GS-13+ | $105,000+/yr | — | — | Competitive promotion — supervisory |
Key advantage: This is a non-competitive career ladder — you do not reapply at each grade level. Once hired, you are automatically eligible for promotion every 52 weeks with satisfactory performance and supervisor approval. A GS-5 entrant with a fresh bachelor’s degree can realistically reach GS-12 ($88K–$115K) within 4 years without ever submitting another application.
Location pay bonus: Selected high-demand ports offer additional incentives. San Francisco has historically offered up to 25% salary incentive for 4 years for new federal employees, on top of the already-elevated San Francisco locality pay (33%+). Combined, that can push a GS-7 in San Francisco to $90,000+ in year one.
CBP Agriculture Specialist Training — FLETC Glynco, GA
The CBP Agriculture Specialist FLETC training program is a two-phase paid training pipeline:
| Phase | Duration | Location | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 — Pre-Academy Orientation | ~2 weeks | Your home port of entry | Introduction to CBP systems, port operations, import regulations, team orientation |
| Phase 2 — Basic Agriculture Specialist Training | 59 days | FLETC, Glynco, GA | Agricultural pest and disease identification; inspection techniques; admissibility determinations; enforcement authorities; laboratory procedures; report writing; physical training |
| Total Training | ~11 weeks | Home port + Glynco | Fully paid — full salary + housing and meals at FLETC |
The 59-day FLETC academy is one of the longer entry-level training programs in federal law enforcement. It is academically demanding — covering entomology, plant pathology, animal disease recognition, regulatory frameworks, and field inspection techniques. Successful completion is mandatory for continued employment.
Where CBP Agriculture Specialists Work — Major Ports
CBP Agriculture Specialists are assigned across all categories of US ports of entry:
| Port Type | Example Locations |
|---|---|
| International Airports | JFK (New York), LAX (Los Angeles), O’Hare (Chicago), Miami International, Honolulu, San Francisco, Detroit Metropolitan, Minneapolis-St. Paul |
| Seaports | Port of Long Beach CA, Port of Newark NJ, Port of Seattle WA, Port of Houston TX, Port of New Orleans LA, Port of Anchorage AK |
| Land Border Crossings | San Ysidro CA, Otay Mesa CA, El Paso TX, Laredo TX, Buffalo NY, Blaine WA, Portal ND, Pembina ND, Sumas WA, International Falls MN, Sweetgrass MT |
Final duty location is assigned by CBP based on agency need at the time of your final offer — not by applicant preference. Applicants must be willing to accept assignment anywhere in the US. Some remote/rural border crossings carry recruitment incentives in addition to base pay.
Salary & Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $40,332–$61,218/yr (GS-5 to GS-9, Rest of US locality) |
| Career Maximum | $88,621–$115,208/yr (GS-12) |
| Location Incentives | Up to 25% salary incentive at select high-demand ports (e.g., San Francisco) |
| Overtime | Regular overtime available — CBP operates 24/7 |
| Health Insurance | FEHB — ~70% premium covered by government |
| Dental & Vision | FEDVIP |
| Retirement | FERS — standard federal retirement |
| TSP (401k) | 5% government matching |
| Annual Leave | 13–26 days/year based on tenure |
| Sick Leave | 13 days/year |
| Federal Holidays | 11 paid federal holidays |
| Paid Parental Leave | 12 weeks |
| Life Insurance | FEGLI — automatic enrollment |
| Uniform Allowance | Annual uniform maintenance allowance |
| Non-Competitive Promotion | Automatic GS-5→GS-12 in 4 years (with satisfactory performance) |
How to Apply
CBP Agriculture Specialist announcements open periodically on USAJOBS — not as a permanent listing. The best strategy is to set a USAJOBS saved search so you are notified the moment a new announcement opens.
Step 1 — Create or log into your account at USAJOBS.gov. Build a complete federal resume highlighting your science education, any laboratory or field experience, and any prior agricultural, environmental, or inspection work.
Step 2 — Search for “Agriculture Specialist” with agency filter set to “Customs and Border Protection” and job category “Natural Resources Management & Biological Sciences (0400).” Click Save this search and set alerts to Daily — announcements can fill quickly (CBP has closed past announcements when applicant caps of 150–200 were reached within days).
Step 3 — When an announcement opens, apply immediately. Include your official college transcripts (unofficial accepted for application; official required before hire) — your transcript is the primary document used to verify you meet the basic education requirement.
Step 4 — Complete the online occupational questionnaire honestly. Answer based on your actual experience — inflate your responses and you risk disqualification during the background investigation.
Step 5 — If referred, complete the structured interview and medical examination (post-tentative offer).
Step 6 — Accept your duty location assignment. You may be placed anywhere in the US — plan for relocation. CBP provides relocation assistance for some locations.
Step 7 — Complete 2-week home-port orientation, then report to FLETC Glynco, GA for the 59-day Basic Agriculture Specialist Training. Full salary paid throughout.
⚠️ Important: Due to the applicant cap on many CBP Agriculture Specialist announcements, do not wait — apply the day the announcement opens. Set your USAJOBS saved search now so you receive immediate email notification. Check cbp.gov/careers for upcoming recruitment windows.
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans receive 5-point or 10-point hiring preference and are given priority consideration in the ranking process. Veterans with backgrounds in military working dog (MWD) handling, military agriculture or veterinary service, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) defense, or life sciences MOSs are particularly well-suited for this role. Veterans with a science degree (many obtained through military education programs like the Army’s Environmental Science program) who also hold veteran’s preference have a meaningful advantage in the CBP Agriculture Specialist hiring pool.
About US Customs and Border Protection
US Customs and Border Protection is the largest federal law enforcement agency in the United States, with more than 60,000 employees operating at 328 ports of entry and along 6,000+ miles of US land borders and 95,000 miles of shoreline. CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO) — the division that employs Agriculture Specialists — processes more than 400 million travelers and $3 trillion in trade annually. The CBP Agriculture Specialist program intercepts tens of thousands of pests, plant diseases, and prohibited agricultural products every year. In a single recent year, CBP Agriculture Specialists made over 4 million agricultural pest interceptions at US ports — each one a potential ecological or economic catastrophe averted.
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov and CBP.gov for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at www.usajobs.gov — search “Agriculture Specialist CBP.” We are not affiliated with CBP, DHS, or any US government agency.
Sources
- Agriculture Specialist — CBP Careers
- USAJOBS — Agriculture Specialist CBP #815462600
- CBP Office of Field Operations
- OPM GS Pay Tables 2026
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