Special Assistant
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Commissioner located in Washinton, DC.
Major duties
This position starts at a salary of $169,279.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $197,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10). Typical duties include: Analyze complex, ambiguous, and emerging program issues, coordinating with headquarters, field representatives, and program partners, to prepare expert recommendations. Advise on communication and partnership strategies between CBP and stakeholders, including state, local, tribal, and territorial government, .law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public. Identifies potential challenges affecting IPL's liaison functions through ongoing monitoring of program developments and stakeholder feedback. Develops new innovative solutions to existing and evolving program priorities and emerging events to ensure the successful execution of CBP initiatives. Represents IPL and CBP at external meetings and conferences GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.
What you need to qualify
Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Conducted independent research, analysis, and synthesis of complex, ambiguous, and emerging program issues from diverse and often conflicting sources to develop authoritative guidance and innovative solutions for CBP initiatives. Developed and maintained robust relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including high-ranking senior officials from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, law enforcement agencies, and non-governmental organizations, to advance agency objectives. Supported the successful engagement and coordination of CBP's strategic priorities with key stakeholders by providing expert consultation, advising on communication and partnership strategies, and representing CBP at high-level external meetings and conferences. 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 07/24/2026. 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 Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.
Before you apply
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