Multiple CBP offers?

[HokieBird]

This may be a dumb question, and if so, pardon my asking.

Is it possible to have multiple TOs from CBP at the same time?

I took the BPA and CBPO exams at about the same time, and got 100 on both of them without vet points. Both applications are for Texas SW Border. A TO for the Border Patrol came almost instantly, and I have filled out all of the paperwork and such for that. Although I would be glad to be doing either job, my preference is for the CBP Officer position, but I see this similarly to applying at multiple departments, as you might not get the job with one, but possibly the other. So, is it possible that a CBPO offer will still come, or must I first withdraw my application with the Border Patrol?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[madchiken]

They have nothing to do with each other. You'll most likely have two seperate BI's.

[qixfeet]

Madchiken is right. Although both fall under CBP, border patrol is its own agency. We had a guy start the CBP academy and left a few weeks in to go to border patrol.

[ask80]

just curious why you want cbp? you should go BP, higher pay, 6c retirement, and more action.

[GB0610]

The reality is that you will have only ONE background investigation conducted, but TWO separate adjudications. They will use the same info gathered, but each Dept within the Bureau will make a decision on your suitability. I know this to be a fact.

If I were you, I would JUMP at the border patrol offer. As a former USCS Inspector/CBPO officer, you will get better experience, a better retirement, etc. The PA is a very respected agency with a difficult academy that is also respected. A job as a CBPO will get very repetative and really isn't the same type of LE.

[HokieBird]

First of, thanks to all of you for responding.



just curious why you want cbp? you should go BP, higher pay, 6c retirement, and more action.

The main advantage of CBPO was the variety of locations across the country. From the sounds of discussion, though, BP sounds like a better place to get a start. We will see how the interview goes next Wednesday.

[Ermantroudt]

BP is better in terms of retirement and starting pay.

[GB0610]

BP is better in terms of retirement and starting pay.

and excitement, experiance, training, moral (still not great), and on...

[HokieBird]

Well, the interview went well. They said to just sit tight now and wait for an EOD date and location.

[toughmommy]

Hello all!

This is my first post so here goes!

Hokiebird...I am in the same scenario as you; however, I knew that I wanted the CBP position ahead of the BP position but after my oral board with BP, it sealed my decision of wanting to go CBP. BP does have better pay because of the 6c but you have to remember that that includes overtime that BP can add to your shift (up to 10 hours). The retirement is better by far but the thing that a lot of people don't realize that you can build a pretty good retirement with the TSP account that you get with CBP. My husband is a K-9 Officer with CBP and he loves it. He has been working dogs for over 20 years of his life (10 years in the Air Force as LE K-9 then an instructor, about 3 years with Global Training Academy which is based in Texas, and of course the last 11 1/2 years with CBP). The only downfall which he has noticed from being at Brownsville, TX, Ohio, and now back on the southern border in Arizona is that you do get more action on the southern border than at airports or non-international borders. He would never tell someone that is one is better than the other becasue they both are serving the same purpose which is to make our country a better and safer place. Unfortunately, both agencies have their downfalls as with any workplace but as you can see that is not hindering people from applying. The only benefit I see to 6C is the earlier retirement which there are officers that would like to see that become a part of CBP and because of that I hope that is the case; however, if it is not, CBP would still be a good career choice! Keep your head up and good luck!

Toughmommy

Pre-Employment Forms: pending
Qualifications: pending
Medical Exam: pending
Structured Interview: pending
Drug Screening: pending
Background Investigation: completed and passed
Fitness: completed and passed

[GB0610]

I'm sorry, but there are many more benefits to working for the Patrol than simply 6c, which is a big reason in and of itself. You need to look at the long haul as well.

Their training is top notch and one of the more respected in FED LE. The same cannot be said for CBPO training.

The PA has plain clothes investigative positions that if you shine, you can slide into in less than 2 years. CBPO's don't have that opportunity.

If an individual is looking to do "patrol" LE work, the PA is also the way to go. You will typically work at a static post if assigned to a land POE with CBPO. If working at an airport, you will be in an EXTREMELY stationary position. Seaports can vary, but expect to be sitting behind a monitor looking at an x-ray screen. I will in no way say that this isn't LE, but its not LE in the true sense of the word.

I only speak from experience. So I simply warn any of you who have the opportunity to choose between the two...........look at what's important to you.....is it location, pay, style of LE, etc? Its your choice....but be aware that your choice may come back to haunt you if you expect to be doing anything high speed with a CBPO position.

[merlin436]

Higher pay for PA's?

Maybe...as 05-07-09's.

Given the same amount of hours worked and equal scheduling, GS-11 CBPO's will earn markedly more money than GS-11 PA's.

COPRA overtime, 15% evening diff., 20% night diff. and 50% Sun. diff. are far more generous than AOU, FLSA overtime, 10% night diff. and 25% Sun. differential.

[toughmommy]

Higher pay for PA's?

Maybe...as 05-07-09's.

Given the same amount of hours worked and equal scheduling, GS-11 CBPO's will earn markedly more money than GS-11 PA's.

COPRA overtime, 15% evening diff., 20% night diff. and 50% Sun. diff. are far more generous than AOU, FLSA overtime, 10% night diff. and 25% Sun. differential.

Thanks for the input Merlin436!!

The hubby is a GS-11 and pulled in $85,000 last year. Double time for overtime is very nice. He hasn't pulled as much this year because overtime was a commodity this year while we were in Ohio but now that we have moved down to Arizona and you can pretty much cap out on overtime, gaining that extra income will be nice! We'll see!!

[GB0610]

People also need to realize that AUO goes to your retirement and OT does not.

So having 6c (1.75% per year) and getting 25% AUO can really make a difference when you go to retire at the end of working 20 years as aposed to having to work 30 years at 1% retirement with only your base salary used to compute it.

All day ;), with legitimacy.

[merlin436]

Actually...under COPRA 50% of over-time earnings up to the statutory cap(currently @ $35,000) is credited as base pay for retirement purposes.

[toughmommy]

Actually...under COPRA 50% of over-time earnings up to the statutory cap(currently @ $35,000) is credited as base pay for retirement purposes.

Thanks again Merlin436 with the info!

I am so ready to get to the academy!!!! I am beating myself up with impatience but I know that's what you have to have with the government because it will take as long as it will take!!!

The only thing I am not anxious for is leaving the hubby with four kids and two dogs for five months...actually...this should be a lot of fun to see what happens with him and my arrival back!!!

[formerNOPD]

People also need to realize that AUO goes to your retirement and OT does not.

So having 6c (1.75% per year) and getting 25% AUO can really make a difference when you go to retire at the end of working 20 years as aposed to having to work 30 years at 1% retirement with only your base salary used to compute it.

All day ;), with legitimacy.


As someone stated, half of our OT is counted for High 3. Not to mention most likely CBP will be 6c covered this coming year.

[toughmommy]

Hello guys!

I was conversating with the hubby about the comments that have been made on the boards with the retirement. You know...he said that 6c is great in that you can retire in 20 and you are paid 80% (I think, I can't quite remember now that I just received my call for my VBT and I am just so dang excited!); however, even though the payout isn't as much (40% of high 3) (let me know if I'm wrong guys) you still have your TSP account which right now my hubby has been in for 11 and 1/2 years now and it is about to top $150,000 (it would be more but we took some out about 8 years ago to put down on a house). He is buying back his military time (9 years), which I will do the same (10 years for me) and IF he retires in another 10 years (which I HIGHLY DOUBT), we will have ourselves a pretty good chunk of change (of course this not including what I will make being in also). And if he decides to stay a few more years than that, then "great balls of fire" we'll be doing pretty good for ourselves. The main thing I feel is why just count on a retirement pension when you can help yourself out by putting money away in TSP's, IRA's, mutual funds, etc. Then having a 40% pension won't seem so bad.

[formerNOPD]

6c retirement is 1.7% per year. 25 years x 1.7% = 42.5%

If the bill gets passed, it will be retroactive to 2003.

Right now a rough average nationwide for GS11 CBPOs is around 70K per year. Some make less, some more, but I'd say this is about average. Average COLA increase for the past 30 years is 3.2% per year. If you estrapalate out for 25 years from now, you can use that as a base for your high three calculations.

Mine for instance - 70K + 56K in 25 years = 126K and that does not include step/grade raises.

42.5% of this is 53500. Then you add in your TSP and Social Security if it's still there and it's not too bad at all.

To estrapalate my earnings and TSP and social security for 22 years from now, I'm looking at around $106000.00 per year in retirement. I've been in CBP going on 5 years now and my TSP is up over 40K. By the time I retire it will likely be near 1.1mil if the stock market does'nt crash, and if it does, we're all screwed either way.

I also buy silver/gold and put away to hedge against inflation. 2-3 ounces per pay day.

Toughmommy - congrats on your VBT! Good luck with the process - and everyone please remember the key to GETTING AHEAD is LIVING BENEATH YOUR MEANS. Keeping up with the Johnsons will get you in debt and achieve nothing. Life is not a race to see who can get the most, it's about enjoying what you have with the one you love.

[formerNOPD]

Also another side note, even if they do not change the retirement system, in 22 years I will retire at age 60 with 37 years service, or 37% under the current system. 5.5% differance in retirement, although I have to stay a little longer, I'll still retire at around 100K per year.

[formerNOPD]

FYI - just received this today.


December 17, 2007

MEMORANDUM


TO: CBP Chapter Presidents and CBP Legislative Coordinators

RE: LEO Provisions in FY 2008 Omnibus Spending Bill

SUMMARY: The House and Senate have negotiated an omnibus spending bill that includes LEO provisions for CBPOs. Prospects for passage and the President’s signature are still uncertain.


The omnibus spending bill to be acted on this week in the House and Senate includes a new Section 535 that provides a modified Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) retirement benefit to all Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) prospectively beginning July 2008. If enacted, Section 535 will grant a retirement enhancement for those current CBPOs who will not be able to serve 20 years under the standard LEO system and be at an age to retire early.

If enacted, Section 535 ensures that:

• Premium and overtime pay coverage is not affected. Half of yearly overtime pay will continue to be included in calculating the CBPO’s high-three salary.

• All current CBPOs who elect the new coverage will find their contribution to retirement increased by .5% and will receive a more generous LEO pension from July 2008 forward.

• Mandatory LEO retirement age of 57 years would be waived for all current CBPOs. All CBPOs hired after July 2008 would be subject to mandatory retirement at 57 years.

• The current Federal Employees Retirement System’s and Civil Service Retirement System’s age and service requirements would apply for those who meet those requirements before serving 20 years post July 2008. CBPOs will be eligible to retire after 20 years of post-July 2008 service at age 50 or 25 years of post-July 2008 service at any age.

The omnibus spending bill provides funding for the hiring of an additional 400 CBPOs in FY 2008. This past year, CBP developed a Workload Staffing Model (WSM) to generate estimates of staffing needed at the ports of entry to meet workload and mission requirements. CBP is directed to brief the Committees on Appropriations not later than January 31, 2008, on how it is using “the WSM to improve staffing resources to reduce airport and land port wait times, and to enhance performance in meeting customs revenue collection responsibilities.”

The omnibus spending bill also includes funding for the Office of Chief Human Capital Officer, but “[N]o funding is provided for MaxHR or any follow-on personnel system. Instead, $10,000,000 is provided to address the Department’s dismal results in the 2006 Federal Human Capital Survey.”

Also, as part of the omnibus spending bill, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is directed to submit a report to Congress on the implementation of the Performance Accountability and Standards System (PASS). The report must include: the number of employees who achieved each level of performance; a comparison between managers and nonmanagers relating to performance and pay increases; the type and amount of all pay increases that have taken effect for each level of performance; and, the attrition rate of employees covered by PASS. The bill also directs TSA to start a pilot program at seven airports which will require the screening of all airport employees for a 90-day trial period, after which the program will be assessed.

I will keep you posted on action on the FY 2008 omnibus spending bill as it moves through Congress this week. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Hutter in the Legislation Department at 202.572.5500, ext. 7021.




Colleen M. Kelley
National President

[toughmommy]

Sounds like it's pushing forward!!!

[1895FED]

This may be a dumb question, and if so, pardon my asking.

Is it possible to have multiple TOs from CBP at the same time?

I took the BPA and CBPO exams at about the same time, and got 100 on both of them without vet points. Both applications are for Texas SW Border. A TO for the Border Patrol came almost instantly, and I have filled out all of the paperwork and such for that. Although I would be glad to be doing either job, my preference is for the CBP Officer position, but I see this similarly to applying at multiple departments, as you might not get the job with one, but possibly the other. So, is it possible that a CBPO offer will still come, or must I first withdraw my application with the Border Patrol?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Hokiebird not sure where you are in the process BUT, POST academy you have 2 evaluations. One at 6 months and one at your year mark. Since you are on Probation you may have the possibility of being washed out of the Patrol if you fail either. If that happens they (being Managment) tell you that you either have to go back through the WHOLE ACADEMY again or your job is terminated if you don't. CBP you don't have to go through any evaluations.
Just My 2 cents!!
Keep it!

[madchiken]

Hokiebird not sure where you are in the process BUT, POST academy you have 2 evaluations. One at 6 months and one at your year mark. Since you are on Probation you may have the possibility of being washed out of the Patrol if you fail either. If that happens they (being Managment) tell you that you either have to go back through the WHOLE ACADEMY again or your job is terminated if you don't. CBP you don't have to go through any evaluations.
Just My 2 cents!!
Keep it!

You must have missed the memo... We're not doing the 6 and 10 month anymore. And honestly, if you failed either test, you either had an attitude problem or or some other form of rectal cranial inversion.

But not too long ago if you failed your test they gave you a job at the POE...
Just my dos centavos!!