Investigative Program Specialist (POLYGRAPH EXAMINER)
Agency
Customs and Border Protection
Location
Tucson, Arizona, Arizona
Salary
$96,147 - $148,633 Per Year
Open & closing dates
Posted: October 20, 2025
Closes: October 24, 2025 (3 days left)
Job Description
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, Credibility Assessment Division located in: Tucson, AZ Yuma, AZ Aliso Viejo, CA San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Indianapolis, IN Portland, ME Minneapolis, MN Newark, NJ Valley Stream (JFK), NY Dallas, TX McAllen, TX San Antonio, TX Seattle, WA
Qualifications
Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Selecting appropriate polygraph techniques based on a thorough review and analysis of all available documentation on the investigation. Analyzing physiological data collected to determine the results of the polygraph examination. Conducting in-depth interrogations in an attempt to elicit admissions or confessions if deception is indicated by test results. Identifying criminal or misconduct case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations. Preparing accurate, concise, logical, comprehensive, and objective reports of forensic investigations to be used in legal venues, including testifying in court, for adjudication, and to brief managers. 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: Adapting polygraph techniques to the situation, using experience and ability to recognize when administrative cases become criminal investigations. Collecting evidence while maintaining all lawful and legal standards throughout the polygraph interview process. (e.g., administering Miranda warnings, obtaining sworn written statements of confession). Conducting in-depth interviews and interrogations in an attempt to elicit admissions or confessions if deception is indicated by test results; Preparing accurate, concise, logical, comprehensive, and objective reports of forensic investigations to be used in legal venues, including testifying in court, for adjudication, and to brief managers. Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the rules of evidence, criminal procedure, constitutional rights, search and seizure protocol, apprehension and detention of suspects, and related investigative matters. Basic Requirements: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; at least two years of investigative experience with a recognized U.S. Government agency or other law enforcement agency; Successful completion of a Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) polygraph examination; and Be at least 25 years of age Transcripts will be required if you are unable to provide certification documentation at the time of 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 10/24/2025. 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 Investigative Program Specialist (POLYGRAPH EXAMINER) 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. 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. Please upload your resume under the "Resume" document type. Any other relevant supporting documents should be uploaded under their appropriate document types as mentioned above. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Do not submit documents as a PDF Portfolios. Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied. This position DOES NOT confer Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) retirement coverage.
Required Documents
Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12809050 Your responses to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, phone number, relevant work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. *Note. Your resume must only be two pages or less and uploaded under the document type-Resume. No additional document types will be reviewed as part of your resume. Are you a current or former federal employee? ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status: Tenure 1 or 2 in Block 24 and Position Occupied 1 in Block 34. Additionally, you should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher, AND an SF-50 to support having met the time-in-grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the grade level (or equivalent) below the grade level(s) for this position. Current CBP Employees are encouraged to submit an SF-50(s) for CBP experience; however, additional SF-50(s) are required when using federal experience outside of CBP to receive credit towards the requirements above. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases, and accessions. Retired former federal employees must submit your retirement SF-50 and encouraged to submit your most recent annuity statement. Are you a former federal employee, and have been separated from federal service for over 52 weeks? To be considered non-competitively, a recent rating of record (performance appraisal) from your most recent career or career-conditional position of at least fully successful (or equivalent) is required to be submitted with your application. If you were not issued a rating of record, a letter from your most recent career or career-conditional position Supervisor stating you were fully successful will be accepted. For more information, review the OPM Hiring Information. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), or the Reemployment Priority List (RPL)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456; or RPL registration documentation. Special Appointing Authority: See "Additional Information" section to determine what documentation you need to submit as proof of eligibility for a Special Appointing Authority. Are you a veteran? If you are applying under a veteran appointing authority, you must submit documentation to support eligibility such as a DD 214 listing the character of service and either qualifying medal(s) or service period, a VA Disability Award letter dated 1991 or later, and/or supporting documentation as listed on the Standard Form 15. If you are currently serving on active duty, you must submit a written statement from the armed forces certifying your dates of service, your rank, expected type of discharge and anticipated date of separation. If you apply with a written statement at this stage, your preference will be verified by a DD 214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military. To learn more click here. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your initial and termination SF-50s. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Department Information
Agency
Customs and Border Protection
Department
Department of Homeland Security
Location
Tucson, Arizona, Arizona, United States