Supervisory Marine Interdiction Agent
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations in the following locations: San Juan, PR Mayaguez, PR Fajardo, PR
Major duties
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. As a Supervisory Marine Interdiction Agent (SMIA), you will be responsible for supervising a Marine Interdiction Unit in the performance of interdictory and marine law enforcement support activities in an assigned geographic area. This position starts at a salary of $129,258.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $168,040.00 (GS-14, Step 10). Salary above excludes COLA. Please see the following link for specific COLA Rates: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/nonforeign-areas/#url=COLA-Rates Typical responsibilities may include: Providing oversight, training, and guidance to Marine Interdiction Agents concerning law enforcement operations and the safe operation of marine vessels. Planning and organizing operations identifying and apprehending persons engaged in the smuggling of migrants, narcotics, and other illegal contraband by watercraft, vessels, and vehicles. Representing the agency, exercising significant authority in meetings with multiple agencies to coordinate joint enforcement efforts and to advise higher ranking officials. Evaluating subordinates, reviewing evaluations of non-supervisory personnel, and recommending disciplinary actions with equity while assuring work and training requirements are met. Coordinating and supervising marine interdiction activities with other components of the agency and other Federal, foreign, state and local law enforcement agencies. Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b),5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a rigorous position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a rigorous position; and have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43). If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.
What you need to qualify
U.S. Coast Guard Issued Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC): This position requires that you currently hold or have previously held a USCG Masters Certificate. You must upload a legible copy of a currently held (valid) or a previously held (expired) USCG Masters Certificate with your application showing capacity. Qualifying Capacities are: Mate of 200 gross tons or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans), Chief Mate, Second Mate, and Third Mate Unlimited Oceans or Master of 25 GRT or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans) 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: Serving as CBP Interceptor Class Vessel Commander and operating vessels involved in law enforcement operations assigned and directed the work of agents as the decision-maker for the mission. Serving as an expert marine law enforcement agent within CBP responsible for commanding and controlling interdiction tactics and operations. Providing law enforcement, maritime and administrative training and guidance to lower-grade CBP personnel. Independently executing complex maritime enforcement operations. Coordinating and implementing diverse and rapidly changing developments in the maritime law enforcement environment while maintaining a close working relationship with federal, state, local, tribal law enforcement partners to integrate related marine law enforcement activities. 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; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/20/2026. 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 on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Polygraph Examination: The Supervisory Marine Interdiction Agent 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. 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. Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment. Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 3 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed. 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.
Before you apply
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