Supervisory Trade Investigator (Division Director)
What you'd do
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Operations Directorate, Trade Investigation Division, located in Washington, DC. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
Major duties
Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. This position starts at a salary of $169,279.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $197,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10). 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. As a Supervisory Trade Investigator (Division Director), you will independently oversee, plan, conduct, and document investigative activity involving civil and administrative investigations subject to CBP's Priority Trade Issues (PTIs). You will also supervise and monitor the civil trade investigative program's effectiveness and efficiency based on a comprehensive analysis of a variety of data related to trade violations, laws, policies, programs, and regulations. Typical duties include: Planning, directing, and reviewing complex trade investigations involving violations of U.S. trade laws and regulations to ensure thoroughness, accuracy, and adherence to legal requirements. Approving investigative plans and reports and ensuring proper evidence handling and case file management. Developing and implementing division strategies and enforcement initiatives that support CBP's trade enforcement mission and national security objectives. Managing division resources and budget and contributing to policy development and best practices. Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with other CBP components, federal agencies, international partners, and the trade community to facilitate information sharing and coordinated enforcement efforts. Representing CBP in meetings, conferences, and working groups on trade enforcement matters. Analyzing investigative data and program metrics to assess effectiveness and identify improvements and preparing reports and briefings for senior leadership. Ensuring quality assurance of investigative activities through regular reviews, audits, and adherence to established standards.
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: Leading, planning, and directing complex trade investigations involving violations of U.S. trade laws, regulations, and international agreements, and ensuring investigative strategies address priority trade issues. Supervising, mentoring, and evaluating the performance of investigators and enforcement personnel by assigning work, setting priorities, and ensuring quality and compliance of investigative products. Interpreting and applying U.S. trade laws, regulations, and policies to enforcement actions, and developing strategic initiatives to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities. Collaborating and coordinating with internal CBP components, other federal agencies, international partners, and the trade community to facilitate enforcement operations and information sharing. Analyzing intelligence, data, and investigative findings to identify trends, assess risks, and communicating results through comprehensive reports, briefings, and presentations to senior leadership and stakeholders. 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 08/14/2026. 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 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 Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.
Before you apply
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