CBP Agriculture Specialist (Agriculture Operations Manager)
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, San Juan Field Office, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
Major duties
This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) Field Offices that maintain oversight of operations at land border ports of entry, airports, seaports, international mail facilities, express consignment carrier facilities, inland port sites, and pre-clearance stations. The position is responsible for mission-critical program management within the assigned geographic area of the Field Office. The primary mission of OFO is to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror, plant pests and foreign animal diseases, and illegal drugs and contraband from entering/exiting the United States; to enforce the laws that protect America's homeland through the detection, interdiction, and apprehension of those who attempt to illegally enter or smuggle any person or contraband at the ports of entry; and, to facilitate the orderly and efficient flow of legitimate trade and lawful travelers. This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10) . Salary above excludes COLA. Please see the following link for specific COLA Rates COLA Rates Major duties for this this position include: Implementing strategic plans for attaining goals and objectives, monitors performance measures and other performance-related metrics, and reports on port of entry and Field Office program activities to ensure progress towards goals and objectives. Contributing to the assessment of threats to national security and to economic and agricultural interests. Reviewing guidance and intelligence on identifying shipments, conveyances, and passengers that may present agricultural threats for operational applicability. Identifying goals and objectives that need additional emphasis, makes recommendations for program improvement, and manages all resources as corporate assets. Maintaining cooperative relations and acts as a Field Office representative on collaborative projects with Government agriculture partner agencies. Temporary/Rotational Assignment: In accordance with CBP Directive No. 1335-018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Rotation Program and to meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a temporary basis not-to-exceed (NTE) 3 year(s), with possible extension(s) for an additional 2 year(s), for a maximum of 5 years. You may be returned, at any time, to the permanent assignment within the Office of Field Operations. The Office of Field Operations may utilize flexibility to be placed within any sub-office/directorate and to place you in the same or similar position with equivalent grade and pay. The return is not subject to the procedures found in 5 C.F.R. §§ 351, 432, 752, and 771. If you are currently at the grade level of the position announced, this action will result in a reassignment, and you may be returned at any time to a same or similar position held prior to this temporary assignment. If you currently hold a grade level higher than the grade being announced, this action will result in a change to lower grade. You may be returned, at any time, to the permanent assignment within the Office of Field Operations. The Office of Field Operations may utilize flexibility to be placed within any sub-office/directorate and to place you in the same or similar position with equivalent grade and pay. Your return will be based on the agency rotational policy. All Selectees will be required to sign an Employee Rotational Agreement as a condition of employment. At management's discretion, you may be permanently placed to this position without further competition. CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about
What you need to qualify
Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Planning, organizing, coordinating, controlling, and evaluating agricultural quarantine inspection program activities. Reviewing the analysis of information from all available sources, including CBP and USDA systems, to identify vulnerabilities and agricultural threats. Conducting evaluations, qualityassurance, and/or quality control of port activities, including agriculture-related port systems and processes. Providing input or may develop and coordinate a systematic series of tactical operations for ports of entry within the Field Office. Basic Requirement: All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement in order to be considered for this position. Eligibility will be verified based on your submitted transcripts and resume. More information on this requirement can be found in the CBP Agriculture Specialist Qualification Aid and in the OPM Qualification Standards. Basic Requirement for the CBP Agriculture Specialist: 1. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, animal science, plant science, pest management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: Completed at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in a qualifying field of study, as shown above, PLUS qualifying experience or additional education. To determine if you meet the combination, you must divide the months of qualifying experience by 48; next, divide the number of undergraduate semester hours by 120 (or 180 for undergraduate quarter hours) and the two percentages must total at least 100%. Transcripts: If you have never held a position in the GS-0401 series with Customs and Border Protection, you are required to submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. 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 08/10/2026. 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: CBP has the authority to conduct a polygraph for the CBP Agriculture Specialist (Agriculture Operations Manager) position, however, at this time a polygraph is not a pre-employment requirement. If CBP decides to implement the polygraph as a pre-employment requirement while you are in the hiring process, CBP will notify you and provide additional information. 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. Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices, aircraft operation areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities. The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respirators. Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.
Before you apply
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