Any CBP hiring in early 2008?

[Tmack82]

Hello Everyone,

I know there is another thread titled "CBP Officer" but the thread is difficult to navigate and going in many directions.

Does anyone think there will be any announcements for the CBP Officer position in the new year?? I really want to get into federal LE and I think this is a pretty good opportunity (Im 25 years old).

I saw a vacancy last year but it was only for some states out west, and I am much more of an east coast guy. Now I'm thinking I should have applied to just get in, and then try and make it out east. Not sure if that was a good move or not..... but I'd apply to any east coast (or even Chicago?) city.

So if you happen to know of any vacancies coming up, rumored or not.... please post it here!!

Thanks...

[finaljustice]

Hey man, I am sure there will be openings ...we are hiring like 4,000 officers next year so there will be openings...look online at cbp.gov and usajobs.gov and now is the best time to get in with 20 yr. retirement and leo coverage. good luck.........

[Patrio72]

Where will they place the majority of these 4k officers?

Patriot72

[mutosufan]

Do not take a job some place and expect to be able to move where you want in 3 years. That is a pipe dream and a nightmare! They lure you in thinking that you can suck it up for the 3 years and then you can choose your destination. Not that way at all. Hold out until you can get something that you can live with in an area that you are fine with. I chose my city and am happy with my decision, but there are guys that have tried for years to get a transfer to only be denied time and time agian. And I am not talking 1 0r 2 officers.......many, many officers. Some have even quit because they know they wont get the transfer.

[Tmack82]

Wow I had no idea it was so difficult to transfer. Luckily, I don't have anything really holding me down to NYC... but between JFK and EWR... I'd think there would be some vacancies. Other that than, I'd be happy in a lot of places.. (BOS,IAD,MIA,ORD)

So really I guess I just need to watch cbp.gov daily and see when they post something. I'm now glad I didn't apply when they put the last vacancy for "South west states" because I'm not really a west coast kind of guy. :p

Thanks for the advice.... hopefully they get around to hiring soon.. it looks like a long process and I'm eager to get the ball rolling :cool:

[matyoka]

Tmack I transferred from EWR to a small Montana land border crossing. Did I try other ports? YES, but I never gave up. Did I try CSI? YES, at least 5 times and now I am being reviewed for Honduras. The best thing one can do with this job is to learn all and every possible process and angle. I started at the seaport, transferred to the airport branch where besides Baggage and Passport control I picked up some CTR knowledge. Now I am at a land border where you are not only the primary INS and Customs, but CTR and secondary officer as well making decisions on admissibility. Many people lose interest and retire as GS11 step 10s and all they do is tell war stories all day... plus they always mention that they make more money than the rookie supervisor who has only 4 years on the job with CBP. That rookie will be one day the port director !!!
Get in first, EAST coast is always looking for people. Put in some time, get some knowledge and then the world is yours....

[ExSDSO]

Does anyone know a number I can call to figure out whats going on with my process?? On CASS all I need completed is my BI and a review of my background/qualifications. Im prior law enforcement here in San Diego.

Also has anyone knew anyone who got this far and been turned down??

Any info would help!

[Luko]

Believe me they will take their time with the Quals! I waited on the quals to clear for a month and a half...Just remember hurry up and wait! Good luck!

P.S. - That was for IEA, but I believe it is all processed the same

[JDNoble81]

TMack, I'm right there with ya man.

I'm 26, have a degree in criminal justice and over a year at TSA which qualifies me for GS-7. A CBP Officer position would be a great way to begin a career in Federal LE.

There was a nationwide announcement that ran from Oct. 17th through Nov. 7th. I wish that I had known about it, but unfortunately I missed it. Since then, I've been checking USAJobs.gov daily as well as reading up on info around the net. Found some good news....

There will be an announcement Feb 11-22 for Washington (Northern border) Washington (all other locations), Montana, North Dakota, Buffalo, New York and Vermont. This info comes directly from a CBP Officer working at a land port in Montana. CBPOs in his area were sent an email to help get the word out locally.

Also, according to the Hiring Center, there will be a nationwide vacancy announcement in early Spring.

I'm an East Coast guy myself, Philly to be exact.. so I'd like to get into PHL or at least stay in PA. So here's what I plan on doing... I'm going to apply for one of the locations (NY) that will be listed in the Feb. 11th announcement. Chances are I'll be taking the written exam mid March. Since the nationwide vacancy should be out early spring (April), I will then change my geographical preference to PA. You are allowed to change your preference only BEFORE you receive a tentative offer.

I just want to get into the pipeline since the entire hiring process will take, on average, anywhere from 8 to 16 months. Worst that can happen, I get a TO for a port in NY before the nationwide vacancy comes out... but I've never heard of someone receiving a TO sooner than 2 months. I'm willing to give it a shot. So thats something to think about.

With the other "CBP Officer" thread reaching 40 pages and dating back to 2006.... we should get this one rolling for 2008 for those anticipating applying, or for those who just started this long and enduring process.


- JD

[formerNOPD]

You really need to read the other thread. EVERYTHING is posted on it. I for one will not repost all that information again and again just because you're too lazy to read the other thread. Peruse it and you'll find just about everything you need to know. Start around page 22 if you don't want to look at the whole thing. Lots of things are changing with CBP and reading that thread will enable you to follow eaiser what is going on. If you really have an aversion to reading, then just look up my posts for that thread and read them, they are full of good information.

Good luck, now is a great time to get in CBP.

[JDNoble81]

formerNOPD, your posts are very informative. Thanks for all of the great info. I've read all 40 pages and you're right, its all in there.

[1895FED]

Hello Everyone,

I know there is another thread titled "CBP Officer" but the thread is difficult to navigate and going in many directions.

Does anyone think there will be any announcements for the CBP Officer position in the new year?? I really want to get into federal LE and I think this is a pretty good opportunity (Im 25 years old).

I saw a vacancy last year but it was only for some states out west, and I am much more of an east coast guy. Now I'm thinking I should have applied to just get in, and then try and make it out east. Not sure if that was a good move or not..... but I'd apply to any east coast (or even Chicago?) city.

So if you happen to know of any vacancies coming up, rumored or not.... please post it here!!

Thanks...

To answer your question:

1) Budget we just got this from the Union:

For Immediate Release February 7, 2008 8


Inadequate Budget Proposal Calls for

Less Than Two New CBP Officers per Port



Washington, D.C.—The White House budget blueprint for fiscal 2009 contains a proposed staffing increase at the nation’s 327 ports of entry that is “completely inadequate,” the president of the union representing front-line homeland security employees said today.

President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) contrasted the administration’s proposal to add a mere 539 CBP Officers (CBPOs)—fewer than two at each air, land and seaport—with the agency’s own staffing allocation model and a Government Accountability Office report showing that CBP needs between 1,600 and 4,000 additional CBPOs at border crossing points.

“This budget proposal represents a serious lapse in judgment,” President Kelley said.

Everyone who has looked at the issue of ports of entry staffing has come to the same conclusion, the NTEU leader said—namely, that significant additional staffing and resources are critical to our national security. “This is a continuing failure on the part of the White House to address this glaring need.”

Staffing shortages already have caused long lines to form at border crossing points and been the subject of congressional scrutiny in Vermont and El Paso, Texas. As new border security initiatives are rolled out, the lack of adequate staff will become even more acute, President Kelley said.

“In order for CBP to be successful in its twin mission of stopping terrorists and illegal people and goods from entering the country while facilitating legitimate travel and trade, thousands of additional CBP Officers must be hired,” said Kelley. “This ongoing shortfall serves our country poorly.”

Staffing shortages are also contributing to declining morale among CBP employees and causing workers to leave the agency in droves. According to GAO, an average of 52 CBP Officers left the agency in each two-week period during fiscal year 2007, up from an average 34 employees in each two-week period in fiscal year 2005.

“Currently CBP is scrambling just to backfill empty positions,” said President Kelley. There are a number of steps that CBP, and its parent agency—the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—can take to raise morale and increase the retention rate of skilled and experienced employees:

· Halt the “One Face at the Border” program that combines the work of immigration, customs and agriculture into one position. The only clear result of this effort is diminished specialization and a weakening of the quality of passenger and cargo inspections.

· Drop efforts to impose on DHS employees a discredited new personnel system, parts of which were declared illegal in federal court due to an NTEU lawsuit.

· Allow employee input into the shift management system. CBP employees currently have little say in their schedules with workers forced to work with split days off, different daily shifts within the same work week and arbitrary changes to their working hours with little notice. NTEU recently won an arbitration decision declaring these management practices in violation of federal law and regulation.



“Both DHS and CBP need to get their priorities straight,” President Kelley said, “and that means focusing on real-world staffing and resource requirements, so employees are in the best possible position to perform their important security and trade facilitation tasks on behalf of the American people.”

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments, including some 22,000 in CBP.

--30--


And

There is going to be a CBPO limited open period announcement in USAJOBS for February 11 through February 22, 2008 for the following geo code locations:



Montana

New York – Buffalo

Vermont

Washington- Northern Border

Washington – All other locations


Hope this helps!

[FmrHammerMonkey]

I am up in Buffalo, and we seem to have more and more bodies showing up everyday. They are just stacking them in line to go to the academy, and we are still undermanned according to management.

We have to offset attrition with lots of hiring in the future.

[harry1232]

I am up in Buffalo, and we seem to have more and more bodies showing up everyday. They are just stacking them in line to go to the academy, and we are still undermanned according to management.

We have to offset attrition with lots of hiring in the future.

Are any of these jobs entry level? Looks like its just inhouse.

[merlin436]

The lastest I've heard...

The entry level CBPO nationwide announcement is now scheduled to open on 02/25/2008 and will tentatively close on 3/07/2008 . Depending on the number of applicants, it may be extended for hard to fill locations.

[FmrHammerMonkey]

I don't know when these guys got hired or off what test. Some are very young in age straight out of college and others are older folks switching careers.

I would hope that all the new people we have leaving for the academy will prevent another summer like we had last year. It was brutal in terms of forced OT days on end, and working with skeleton staffing. That summer alone helped people who were on the fence about leaving go ahead and quit.

[kc12]

If you are checking usajobs.com daily you are working too hard. Go to the site, set up an account. Once you have gone that far set up a job search and search for all CBP jobs and have the results e-mailed to you daily or weekly. When you check your e-mail you will see the job search results containing only the jobs with CBP. The e-mails are normally sent out between 0500 and 0600 central time.

[Legend1bt]

Here is the announcement for cbp officers. Hope this helps.

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICER

SALARY RANGE: 29,726.00 - 36,822.00 USD per year
OPEN PERIOD: Monday, February 25, 2008 to Friday, March 07, 2008
SERIES & GRADE: GS-1895-05/07 POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Excepted Service Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 11 DUTY LOCATIONS: Many vacancies - Throughout the Nation, US
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:
This announcement is for nationwide locations.

CBP Securing America's Borders

Whether on the frontlines or serving behind the scenes supporting our mission, the men and women of CBP are dedicated to keeping America safe. CBP counts on them. Our Nation counts on them. Can we count on you?

CBP Mission Statement: We are the guardians of our nation's borders. We are America's frontline. We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity, and professionalism.

Discover a challenging and rewarding career in CBP, the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. As part of our carefully selected, highly trained team, you'll leverage state-of-the-art technology, innovative strategies and world-wide partnerships to protect our communities and defend our frontier.

At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we:

Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country
Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products
Prevent unauthorized entry into the country
Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border
For more information about CBP's mission, activities, and careers, visit our web site, www.cbp.gov.

Where are the positions located? Positions may be filled at any port throughout the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Positions may be filled at any CBP port of entry within the states/locations listed on the page titled "Geographic Location Codes."

Who may apply: Open to all U.S. citizens.

Special Notes:

1) Please note that the CBP Officer position will have law enforcement retirement coverage effective July 6th, 2008. As a result of this provision, the CBP Officer position will be subject to a maximum entry age of 37. Based on these changes, in order for an individual to be selected for a CBP Officer on and after July 6th, 2008, they would need to have taken the CBP Officer test and been referred for a CBP Officer position prior to achieving the maximum entry age for CBP Officers.

2) We have an urgent need for CBP Officers in the following locations: Montana; North Dakota; New York-Buffalo; Vermont; Washington-Northern Border Locations; Washington-All Other Locations; and Calexico, California which is part of the California-Southwest Border Locations. Due to this need, applicants who indicate one of the aforementioned locations will have a greater probability of being referred and selected immediately.

3) If you registered in October 2007 under announcement CBPO 08-01 for nationwide locations and now want to change to one of the geographic locations listed in this announcement, you should not re-register under this announcement. You should notify, in writing, the Minneapolis Hiring Center, REX Unit-CBP, at deu.cbpo.nhc@dhs.gov and indicate the one (1) geographic location you want in your record.

What types of positions are being filled? CBP Officer positions are full-time positions and are being filled under the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) appointing authority. The FCIP is a program that helps Federal agencies recruit talented individuals for entry-level government positions. FCIP appointments are designed with a 2-year internship, during which time you'll be learning the job and the organization, attending formal training programs and developing your skills. If your performance and conduct are satisfactory, your appointment will be made permanent at the end of the 2-year internship. The FCIP is an "excepted service" appointing authority.


KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Residency in the US for the last three years
US Citizenship
Medical Exam, Physical Fitness
Background Security Investigation
Drug Test Required

[jumbojack]

Could you really make a living as a GS5?....

[matyoka]

Jumbo,

In a state like Montana where the rent for a 2 bedroom apartment or house is $300.00... YES. I am pretty sure there are many other states with some extra locality pay and low living cost. All you have to think about is YOUR future. GS-5 will last for only 12 months... it's not the end of the world. If you suceed at GS-5 level, GS-7 will be a piece of cake not to mention GS9-GS11. There is some serious money to be made in this Career and just like thousands of other CBPOs, you will make it as well. Good luck !!!

[SHU]

How much quicker will things be for someone who picks Calexico. I know nobody knows for sure but what do you think?

[foodog71]

I'm in PA but picked to work in Buffalo NY . I take the test on the 15th of this month. I hope the hiring process is quick as I turn 37 in August . Any idea of the time frame involved in getting onboard?

Man getting old sucks lol.

[cjrudy]

I agree, I am 39 and taking the test in Buffalo on 3/19 . I am an autoworker and my employer is looking to cut pay and benefits by 50 %, time for a new career.

[shawal16]

This may sound stupid but if you choose to work at a location away from home. Will there be assistant to help find housing. I understand that the government will not pay for relocation, but will they help you to locate a place to stay around your location or offer government housing?

[formerNOPD]

This may sound stupid but if you choose to work at a location away from home. Will there be assistant to help find housing. I understand that the government will not pay for relocation, but will they help you to locate a place to stay around your location or offer government housing?
No, it's all on you.

Many new guys stay at an extended stay or with another officer before they leave for academy. During the academy you can search online or send an email out to the people in your port to see if you can stay somewhere with one of them/rent a room so to speak. Basically though it's up to you.

[SHU]

How long can you stay at your POE before they send you to fletc? A few days, weeks or months?

[formerNOPD]

How long can you stay at your POE before they send you to fletc? A few days, weeks or months?

Usually 2-3 weeks so you'll understand what the job entails.

[ec2749]

I am taking the CBPO exam in 8 hours in Syracuse...anyway, I just have quick question. Does anyone know the email address where I am supposed to send a request a change of desired port of employment? I originally selected Buffalo but now I want to switch to Vermont. Thanks.

Oh, does anyone know anything positive/negative about either area? From what I have been able to gather, Buffalo folks don't seem to be too happy. Thanks guy

[kc12]

I am taking the CBPO exam in 8 hours in Syracuse...anyway, I just have quick question. Does anyone know the email address where I am supposed to send a request a change of desired port of employment? I originally selected Buffalo but now I want to switch to Vermont. Thanks.

Oh, does anyone know anything positive/negative about either area? From what I have been able to gather, Buffalo folks don't seem to be too happy. Thanks guy

When you receive your NOR for the test there will be an e-mail address on the back to change your geographical preferance. Until your test is scored I don't think they'll change anything.

[shawal16]

When you receive your NOR for the test there will be an e-mail address on the back to change your geographical preferance. Until your test is scored I don't think they'll change anything.

Once you receive a TO it is impossible to change your geographical preference. Is it at all likely that when you receive your NOR you will soon receive a TO, possibly at a location that you do not want, before you will be able to update your geographic preference?

[shopshop]

Believe me they will take their time with the Quals! I waited on the quals to clear for a month and a half...Just remember hurry up and wait! Good luck!

P.S. - That was for IEA, but I believe it is all processed the same

Hi I will be taking the CPB exam on 03/20/08, would you tell which 40 pages were you refer to, thank.