🔴 Status: OPEN | Multiple Locations Nationwide | Source: USAJOBS.gov
Customs and Border Protection Officer Jobs 2026 — Apply Now on USAJOBS
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is hiring Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPO) for 2026 at ports of entry across the United States. Entry-level positions are available at GS-5 and GS-7 grade levels, with a clear career ladder promotion path up to GS-12 — no reapplication required at each step.
In addition to a competitive base salary, newly appointed CBP Officers may qualify for up to $15,000 per year in recruitment incentives (3-year service contract) plus up to $45,000 in annual overtime pay at select duty locations. This is one of the most actively hiring positions in the entire federal government right now.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) |
| Agency | US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| Department | Department of Homeland Security (DHS) |
| Job Announcement Number | 866567600 |
| Location | Multiple Locations — Ports of Entry Nationwide |
| Work Schedule | Full-Time (rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays) |
| Appointment Type | Permanent — Career Ladder |
| Pay Scale & Grade | GS-5 / GS-7 (Entry) → GS-9 → GS-11 → GS-12 |
| Salary Range | $34,820 – $91,093 per year (base, by grade + locality) |
| Overtime Pay | Up to $45,000 additional per year |
| Recruitment Incentive | Up to $15,000/year for 3-year contract (select locations) |
| Who May Apply | US Citizens Only |
| Security Clearance | Background Investigation Required |
| Training Required | 103-day FLETC Academy, Glynco, GA |
| Travel Required | Yes — may include preclearance locations worldwide |
| USAJOBS Link | Click Here to Apply |
About the Role
As a Customs and Border Protection Officer, you are on the front line of America’s border security. CBP Officers work at 328 ports of entry across all 50 states, US territories, and over 50 countries at preclearance locations, protecting the United States from terrorism, narcotics, human trafficking, and illegal contraband — while simultaneously facilitating legitimate travel and international trade.
This is a federal law enforcement career with one of the strongest pay, benefits, and advancement packages in the US government. You will carry a firearm, hold arrest authority, and work alongside the broader DHS law enforcement community including ICE, TSA, and the US Coast Guard.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Detect and prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States at ports of entry
- Enforce customs, immigration, and agricultural laws and regulations at US ports of entry and international preclearance locations
- Prevent the illegal trafficking of people, narcotics, and contraband into the US
- Perform inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and law enforcement activities
- Conduct apprehension, detention, and arrest of persons violating US law at ports of entry
- Screen travelers and cargo arriving by air, land, and sea
- Conduct interviews, searches, and examinations of conveyances and merchandise
- Utilize advanced technology, databases, and intelligence to identify high-risk travelers and shipments
- Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies including DEA, FBI, ICE, and TSA
- Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and federal holidays as assigned
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Education
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Degree Required | Bachelor’s Degree OR qualifying experience (see below) |
| Preferred Fields | Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Political Science, Public Administration |
| Education Substitution | 3 years of general experience (1 year at GS-4 level) qualifies for GS-5 |
Experience & Education Requirements by Grade
| Grade | Salary (Base) | How to Qualify |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,820 – $45,267/yr | Bachelor’s degree in any field OR 3 years general experience (1 yr at GS-4 equivalent) OR combination |
| GS-7 | $43,251 – $56,227/yr | 1 year specialized experience at GS-5 OR 1 full year graduate study OR Superior Academic Achievement |
| GS-9 | $52,921 – $68,798/yr | Promotion after 1 year at GS-7 (no reapplication needed) |
| GS-11 | $63,996 – $83,193/yr | Promotion after 1 year at GS-9 (no reapplication needed) |
| GS-12 | $76,671 – $99,674/yr | Promotion after 1 year at GS-11 (no reapplication needed) |
Other Requirements
- US Citizenship: Required — no exceptions
- Age: Must be under 40 years old at time of appointment (law enforcement retirement provisions)
- Physical Fitness: Must pass physical fitness test and medical examination
- Vision: Corrected vision required; color vision test required
- Background Investigation: Full federal background investigation required
- Drug Test: Required pre-employment and randomly thereafter
- Firearms: Must qualify and maintain proficiency with a firearm
- Driver’s License: Valid driver’s license required
- Training: Must successfully complete 103-day FLETC Academy in Glynco, GA — failure to complete results in termination
Salary, Incentives & Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $34,820 – $99,674/yr (GS-5 to GS-12 base) |
| Locality Pay | Additional pay based on port of entry location |
| Overtime Pay | Up to $45,000 additional per year (Law Enforcement Availability Pay) |
| Recruitment Incentive | Up to $15,000/yr for 3-yr contract (AZ, CA, HI, ME, MI, MN, MT, NY, ND, VT, WA) |
| Location Incentive | Additional 15%–25% of salary for priority duty locations |
| Health Insurance | Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) |
| Dental & Vision | Federal Employees Dental & Vision (FEDVIP) |
| Retirement | Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) — law enforcement enhanced retirement |
| TSP (401k equivalent) | Thrift Savings Plan with agency matching |
| Paid Leave | 13–26 days vacation + 13 days sick leave per year |
| Holidays | 11 paid federal holidays |
| Life Insurance | Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) |
| Early Retirement | Law enforcement officers eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service |
How to Apply
Step 1 — Create a free account on USAJOBS.gov
Step 2 — Build your federal resume (4–6 pages — include all duties, dates, hours per week, and supervisor contact info)
Step 3 — Search for Job Announcement #866567600 or visit: www.usajobs.gov/job/866567600
Step 4 — Select your qualifying grade level (GS-5 or GS-7) and complete the online questionnaire and application
Step 5 — Submit all required documents: federal resume, transcripts (if using education to qualify), DD-214 (if veteran), and any required certificates
Step 6 — If selected, complete background investigation, medical exam, physical fitness test, and drug screening
⚠️ Important: CBP continuously opens new announcements for this position. If this announcement has closed, visit cbp.usajobs.gov to find the latest open CBP Officer vacancy. All applications must be submitted through USAJOBS.gov — no paper applications accepted.
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans with an honorable discharge are eligible for 5-point or 10-point hiring preference on this position. Disabled veterans may qualify for additional hiring preference. Indicate your veterans’ preference status on your USAJOBS profile. Veterans with law enforcement or military police experience are especially competitive for this role.
About US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
US Customs and Border Protection is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States and one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations, with over 60,000 employees. CBP is responsible for securing America’s borders at 328 ports of entry — by air, land, and sea — while enabling legitimate international travel and trade. CBP Officers are part of the Office of Field Operations (OFO), which processes over 400 million travelers and $3 trillion in trade annually. A career as a CBP Officer is one of the most stable, well-compensated, and mission-critical positions in the entire US federal government.
Disclaimer
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at www.usajobs.gov/job/866567600. We are not affiliated with CBP, DHS, or any US government agency.
Sources:
- Customs and Border Protection Officer – USAJOBS #866567600
- CBP Officer Career Path – CBP Careers
- CBP Officer Pay and Benefits – CBP.gov
- Recruitment & Retention Incentives – CBP Careers
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