Marine Interdiction Agent
Customs and Border Protection · Department of Homeland Security
This job in plain English
This is a Marine Interdiction Agent job with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations. Agents patrol waters to stop smuggling, weapons, and people entering the U.S. illegally, and the job has many vacancies across several coastal locations. It involves rotating shift work, a polygraph test, and possible assignment to the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force for up to one year.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- Displaced federal employeesFederal employees who lost or are losing their job through a reduction in force (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL).
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.
This job is open to the public, but you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or someone who owes allegiance to the U.S. Federal employees eligible under career transition programs (CTAP, ICTAP, or RPL) may get priority.
What you would do
- Monitor suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be involved in illegal activity.
- Interpret radar data to calculate intercepts and track vessels and people.
- Search persons, vessels, baggage, and cargo for contraband or weapons.
- Collect, refine, and analyze strategic and tactical intelligence.
Do you qualify for GS-9 to GS-11 (up to GS-13)?
With experience: You need 1 year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the next lower grade level. Qualifying experience includes enforcing laws, making arrests, interviewing suspects, performing surveillance, and collecting evidence. For GS-11, the experience should include leading law enforcement scenes, conducting investigations, and assisting attorneys in court cases. Your resume must clearly show how you meet this requirement.
With education: Education can count instead of experience or together with it. For GS-9, a Master's degree, two full years of graduate education, or a J.D. or LL.B in a related field can qualify. For GS-11, a Ph.D., three full years of graduate education toward that degree, or an LL.M in a related field can qualify. You can also combine education and experience percentages to reach at least 100%. Education must come from an accredited school.
Licenses and certifications you need:
- Qualifying U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with OUPV, Mate, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, or Master capacity, or an issued MMLD license with unexpired status
- Valid, non-restricted driver's license to operate a government vehicle
How to apply well
What to send:
- Resume in English, PDF, no more than two pages, with full name, phone, work dates (MM/DD/YY), hours per week, job title, series, grade, and salary
- Resume that explicitly shows how you meet the law enforcement experience requirement
- Valid copy of your Merchant Mariner Credential, including expiration and capacity pages, or proof of an issued MMLD
- Responses to the job questionnaire and the USA Hire assessment
- College transcript or list of coursework with hours if you qualify through education
- DD-214 and proof of veterans' preference if you claim it
- SF-50s and proof of eligibility if you are over age 40 or claim a federal law enforcement age waiver
- Proof of CTAP, ICTAP, or RPL eligibility if you claim priority
- Initial and termination SF-50s if you are a current or former political appointee
- Statement of service if you are currently on active duty
How you will be rated: Your resume and documents are checked for minimum qualifications, then the questionnaire places you in Best Qualified, Well-Qualified, or Qualified. After the polygraph, you must pass three pass/fail assessments: a written exam, a vessel practical, and a structured interview; failing any one removes you from consideration.
Tips for this job:
- Your resume must explicitly show your law enforcement experience and dates, or you may be found ineligible.
- Upload a copy of your Merchant Mariner Credential with the expiration and capacity pages, since it is required at application.
- Use MM/DD/YY dates and list hours per week for each job, and keep your resume to two PDF pages.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time. Regular, recurring rotating shift work is required, and you may be rotated between assignments and duty locations. Overtime is available only after you are fully trained.
Incentives and relocation: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) adds 25% of base salary and locality pay. Eligible new hires may receive a one-time $10,000 Recruitment Incentive after FLETC, with a 1-year service agreement. Relocation expenses are reimbursed for Puerto Rico and St. Thomas locations only.
Conditions of employment:
- U.S. citizenship required
- Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
- Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years, with some waiver options
- Background investigation required
- Polygraph exam required, with possible reciprocity or veterans' waiver
- Drug test required
- Secret security clearance may be required
- Must meet firearms qualification rules and not have disqualifying backgrounds
- Must enter on duty before age 40, with some exceptions
- Position is subject to mandatory law enforcement retirement coverage
- One-year probationary period
- Must complete 15 weeks of Air and Marine Basic Training at FLETC with physical fitness standards
- Must sign a mobility agreement and be willing to relocate
- Must pass an online assessment and a three-part vessel assessment
- Overnight travel may be required
- Must wear an approved uniform while on duty
- E-Verify check on new hires
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $65,545 – $142,199 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- GS-9 to GS-11 (up to GS-13) · General Schedule
- Location
- Location Negotiable After Selection
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Competitive
- Openings
- Many
- Security clearance
- Secret
- Travel
- 50% or less
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series (1801)
- Announcement
- MIA 27-02-13097550
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