CBP Process

[ExSDSO]

I have been waiting for my BI and Qualifications to be completed. I was wondering if anyone knew exactly or a rough estimate on how long it may take to clear.

Ive already completed everything on CASS except Qualifications and BI. I wrote an essay and included a lot of ceritificates from the San Diego Sheriffs Department to try to qualify for GS-7. Im in San Diego and I know they are in need of CBPO's here. Any Help would be greatly appreciated.

Also what are the chances of CBP not hiring me now that im this far in the process.

[stiletto6507]

here is the golden rule, hurry up and wait. i am at FLETC now and my BI still has not cleared. If you are currently a police/deputy then you shouldn't have much longer. oh yeah and i just thought of this, now is the time of year when federal emps have the problem with use it or lose it with vaction time. so there is a good chance you are sitting on someones desk just waiting while the are off on annual leave.

[ask80]

just curious why you are choosing CBPO as supposed to BP? since you're former LE...

[ExSDSO]

Ive tested for BP twice and both times ive taken the artificial language test and didnt do so hot. My father in law is a CBPO and he showed me a pay stub of what hes cleared so far this year and it was REAL NICE.

[madchiken]

Just a few things to consider... Only you know what's best for you and your family.

CBPO's aren't considered LEO's for retirement or pay. They are still under the GS pay scale. If you come in as a GS-7 for CBPO you'd start at $35,752.

A BP Agent or any other LEO position is covered under the LEO retirement and LEO pay scale. GL-7 starts at $40,519. (Both salaries are using the 2007 pay scales, however both will be $2000-3000 higher in SD)

Your father in law might have a pretty nice paystub, but how many years does he have in service? If you're going to work a POE on the SW border you're going to need/want to speak spanish as well.

[ask80]

and doesn't BP max out journeyman at gs12? higher than cbpo? not too sure on it...i think you might get bored doing cbpo... but whatever floats your boat. good luck

[karn101]

and doesn't BP max out journeyman at gs12? higher than cbpo? not too sure on it...i think you might get bored doing cbpo... but whatever floats your boat. good luck

BP goes to GS-11 as journeymen also.

[toughmommy]

Hello exSDSO!

The BI can take a while depending on the information provided. If you have moved multiple times or have information that requires a lot of checking into, the BI can take anywhere from 6 months to a year. Just be patient, it will get finished. I first did my BI back in July of 2006 for a tech position that of course got pushed aside for lack of funding and that took about 6 months to clear but now that I have applied for the CBP position (which was about two months ago), the process is going by smoothly. From some of the posts that I have read, it saddens me to see so many people putting down CBP. From what I have gathered both agencies have their good points and bad points. Yes, BP's pay starts out higher because of the 6c but what people have to remember is that includes overtime that they can add to your shift whenever they want. With CBP you can make up money by working overtime which is capped out at $35,000 and if you are on a Southern border you will most likely gain that and maybe even get more! My hubby has been a K-9 CBPO for 11 1/2 years and loves the work. If you are looking at protecting our country, it should not matter what agency you go into just as long as that is what you want to do! Good luck in your endeavors!!

[madchiken]

Yes, BP's pay starts out higher because of the 6c but what people have to remember is that includes overtime that they can add to your shift whenever they want. With CBP you can make up money by working overtime which is capped out at $35,000 and if you are on a Southern border you will most likely gain that and maybe even get more!

Just to clarify, the base salary is higher for BP due to the GL vs GS pay scales, then on top of that we get 25% (AUO) of the base pay for working about 2 hours per day. "They" cannot add anything to your shift, you can leave whenever you want but you'll start to lose the 25%.

You might be thinking of LEAP where management can call you in or tell you to stay.

But to be fair and show both sides... CBPO's get double time for OT, but Im sure the amount depends on where you work.

[toughmommy]

Hello madchiken!

I did not mention that but I did add that to a post in another area. If you do pass up the 25% "overtime" then that's on you but my point was that no agency, in my opinion, is better than the other. They both are going after the same thing terrorists and drugs. And yes, CBP does pay you double time for any overtime worked.