About this role
Job SummaryOrganizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Chicago Field Office, Base Metals Center of Excellence and Expertise (BM-CEE). Locations at one of the OFO ports can be negotiated upon selection. Please click on the link below to view the list of ports. Locate a Port of Entry | U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
QualificationsExperience: 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: Serving as an Import Specialist applying advanced expertise to resolve complex import assignments, ensuring strict adherence to established guidelines and judicial precedent; Sharing critical insights and best practices with peers, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the team; Interpreting and applying complex Federal laws, regulations, and documentation requirements governing the entry and examination of prohibited and restricted imports; Preparing detailed analyses and providing critical guidance to ensure strict compliance, preventing illicit goods from entering U.S. commerce and upholding national security and economic integrity.; Analyzing operational trends to identify potential compliance risks and contributing to the development of strategic approaches to mitigate them. 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 09/21/2026. 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 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.
Major DutiesCBP 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 As a Supervisory Import Specialist, you will serve as a first line supervisor, directing and coordinating administrative work performed by a Center of Excellence and Expertise (Center) team responsible for enforcing statutory, regulatory, and treaty requirements of CBP and other federal and state agencies. You will foster a uniform and consistent approach within your assigned industry, determining admissibility of merchandise and other import-related decisions nationwide and on an account basis in order to accomplish CBP's mission. This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10). Salary reflects the rest of U.S. scale and will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection Typical duties for this position include: Providing technical advice on the admissibility, control, entry, revenue collection, and on the functions and use of the agency's automated systems; Providing authoritative advice to Import Specialists nationwide on tariff classification and entered value of imported merchandise to ensure appropriate duties, taxes, and fees are assessed; Implementing training and providing guidance to subordinate staff regarding proper application of Customs directives and regulations; Responsible for managing workload associated with assigned industry accounts across the nation and serves as a CBP contact for accounts; Responsible for overseeing decisions and determinations on an account's (importers) trade activities across the nation and applying national regulatory authorities in a uniform manner.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures. As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.