Customs and Border Protection Logo
Position Title
CBP Air Interdiction Agent
Agency
Customs and Border Protection
Announcement Number
AIA 22-02 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, May 9, 2022 to Tuesday, May 31, 2022
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. This position has an age requirement. Enter or select your date of birth. (limit characters)
2. Enter the number of months of Federal service experience you have attained as a firefighter, law enforcement or air traffic controller. (limit characters)
3. Do you claim Veterans' Preference? (limit characters)
4. Are you a current federal employee who has received notice that you will be displaced from the Department of Homeland Security? If yes, confirm:
  • you occupy a position in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility, such as:
  • Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
  • Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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5. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency? If yes, confirm:
  • you occupy (or have been separated from) a position located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility, such as:
  • Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, AND
  • Copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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Preferences
1. Applicants who receive a tentative offer of employment must successfully complete a polygraph examination. Provided below is a list of locations where polygraph examinations are offered. Please select the location where you prefer to complete your polygraph examination. CBP will do its best to schedule you at your preferred location. However, you may be required to travel to attend the polygraph. CBP will not reimburse you for travel to or from the polygraph site. You will be contacted by the Office of Professional Responsibility to schedule the required polygraph examination. (limit characters)
2. Please indicate your understanding.

Upon being selected for the Air Interdiction Agent position, I acknowledge that I understand I will be required to sign a three year, non-standard Continued Service Agreement (CSA) that considers the time and expense invested in my professional development, as authorized by the Government Employees Training Act (GETA) under 5 U.S.C. § 4108. For more information regarding CSAs, please see www.opm.gov/wiki/training/Continued-Service-Agreements.ashx. Please direct any questions to AMOCSA@cbp.dhs.gov.
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3. Do you have a current valid State driver's license or will you be able to obtain a valid license at the time of appointment? (limit characters)
4. 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, before completing an application for CBP employment.

If you do not meet the residency requirement as stated above 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 wavier 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

Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception.

Do you meet the residency requirement?
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5. Have you engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, holding facility, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1997? (limit characters)
6. Have you been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or where the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or have you been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in such activity? (limit characters)
7. Provisions of Public Laws 93-350 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with DHS Management Directive 251-03, the "day before an individual's 37th birthday" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a primary law enforcement officer within DHS.

NOTE: The Commissioner of CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age for original placement into a LEO position; therefore, candidates must be appointed (enter on duty) before reaching their 40th birthday.

Creditable law enforcement officer service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) (as a Customs and Border Protection Officer) on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).
To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its recent decision of Isabella v. Dept. of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 3312.
Will you be less than 40 years of age (not reached your 40th birthday) at the closing date of this announcement?
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8. Applicants are highly encouraged to "Opt-in" for text message reminders!
For applicants who receive a tentative selection offer from Customs and Border Protection, the CBP Hiring Center is offering text messaging reminders. This service will provide you with helpful reminders of scheduled appointments as you move through the pre-employment process. All automated messages are programmed to remind applicants of upcoming appointments (i.e., medical appointment, fitness test reminder, etc.) approximately 3-days out from the appointment dates. Text messaging will not replace any form of official communication, but is intended solely as an added service to reinforce communication.

You may choose to "Opt-in" for this customer service option. Based on conditions set by your mobile carrier, standard text messaging rates may apply which will not be reimbursed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Please check with your carrier to address any potential costs to you to ensure receiving text messaging is an option available to you based on the terms of your service contract. Some carriers may also block incoming "fee generating" text messages or messages from outlying sources and some messages may appear truncated based on limitations imposed by your carrier. Current system constraints with some carriers may not support text messaging service. If you choose to opt-in at this time, you may elect to discontinue this service later by contacting the CBP Hiring Center.

Please select your carrier below. If you do not wish to "Opt In" for text messaging reminders, please choose the last option.
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9. If you opted in for text messaging reminders, please add you cell phone number below in this format: xxx-xxx-xxxx

If you did not opt in for text messaging reminders, please enter N/A below.
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10. Are you a current or former Federal employee? If yes, it is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Also, ensure that your resume contains a detailed description of your federal work experience, including the dates you performed those duties, your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade level(s), and salary (if applicable). (limit characters)
11. Individuals in the Air Interdiction Agent position must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently. Candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination and be found medically qualified for the AIA position.

I understand that if I selected I will be required to meet the medical requirements. If travel is necessary to complete the medical screening, I may incur additional expenses. I further understand that if additional medical testing is required after my initial medical appointment that, it will be at my own expense.
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12. INSTRUCTIONS: Due to the strenuous nature of the Air Interdiction Agent duties and the associated training programs, fitness tests have been developed and will be used to screen candidates for entry level AIA positions. Candidates will be required to pass the pre-employment fitness test early in the pre-employment process. To increase the chances of passing the fitness test, engage in regular physical exercise. For more information go to: https://www.cbp.gov/careers/frontline-careers/aia/app-proc

I understand that if I selected I will be required to meet the fitness requirements and if travel is necessary to complete the fitness screening, I may incur additional expenses.
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13. New recruits to the position of Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) receive extensive training before beginning official duties. The statements of understanding below represent some, but not all, of the conditions of employment of the AIA occupation. If you answer no to one or more of the following Conditions of Employment questions, you will be disqualified from further consideration for the AIA position.
I verify and understand that I:
  • Must have and maintain a valid US driver's license
  • Will be required to arrest or assist in the arrest of individuals in violation of law(s) and may also be required to testify under oath to the circumstances of the arrest
  • Will be required enforce all Federal laws without exception regardless of your personal feelings about these laws and regulations
  • Will be required to qualify with and maintain proficiency in the use of firearms
  • Must be prepared to defend self and others from physical attacks and may be involved in physical or altercations even the use of lethal weapons while attempting to arrest suspects
  • Will be required to serve a probationary period
  • You will be required to successfully complete 15 weeks of Air and Marine Basic Training (AMBT) at the Air and Marine Operations Academy in Glynco, GA. The training is comprised of formalized courses of basic technical instruction necessary to perform the duties of the position, including a swim/water survival course. Additionally, selectee(s) must successfully complete the following training programs: Spanish Language training course; Initial Survival Training course; Aircraft-specific Flight Training course; and Standardized Tactical Aviation Training (STAT) course.Selectee(s) are required to successfully complete 15 weeks of Air and Marine Basic Training (AMBT) at the Air and Marine Operations Academy in Glynco, GA. The training is comprised of formalized courses of basic technical instruction necessary to perform the duties of the position, including a swim/water survival course. Additionally, selectee(s) must successfully complete the following training programs: Spanish Language training course; Initial Survival Training course; Aircraft-specific Flight Training course; and Standardized Tactical Aviation Training (STAT) course.
  • Subject to mobility at the agency's discretion within and outside the continental U.S. at any time during my tenure with CBP AMO
  • Am required to wear a prescribed uniform and to comply with established grooming standards
  • Must be willing and available for work at any time their presence and skills are required. Regular work schedules are: on weekends, evenings and nights, holidays and unscheduled overtime as CBP determines necessary
  • Must be willing to work with others on a professional basis, with mutual respect, regardless of racial, cultural, religious, political or other differences
  • May be required to engage in strenuous physical exertion, such as heavy lifting, crouching or crawling in restricted areas, climbing, and running
  • May be assigned and willing to accept placement to small, remote locations or large metropolitan areas in which there are people whose cultures are significantly different from my own
  • May be exposed to all kinds of weather and environmental conditions, such as flights of long duration and under unusually stressful conditions, as well as in-flight hazards such as weather, hazardous terrain, physiological andequipment capabilities
  • Required to undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment
I have read the above Conditions of Employment and understand that these conditions are a requirement for appointment to an Air Interdiction Agent position.

I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information provided by me is true, correct, and complete and made in good faith. I understand that a false statement on any part of this inquiry may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. False or fraudulent information provided herein is also criminally punishable pursuant to federal law, including 10 U.S.C.1001.
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14. Conviction under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child is disqualifying. An intimate partner means, with respect to a person, the spouse of the person, a former spouse of the person, an individual who is a parent of a child of the person, an individual who cohabitates or has cohabited with the person. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or a child? (limit characters)
15. Are you the subject of any Federal, State, or Tribal court-ordered restraining (protection) order for domestic abuse, including harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or a child? (limit characters)
16. Are you willing to travel to Oklahoma City, OK at your own expense to take the three-part flight assessment? (limit characters)
17. 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 more information visit this link.

I understand that if selected I will be required to meet the suitability requirements and if travel is necessary to complete the background investigation, I may incur additional expenses.
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18. This position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, or you do not meet the criteria for polygraph reciprocity or waiver you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.


I understand that if selected I will be required to meet the polygraph examination requirements and if travel is necessary to complete the polygraph examination, I may incur additional expenses.
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19. Are you a current political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee or a former political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years applying to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under Title 5 of the United States Code or are you a current non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) Executive Branch employee or a former non-career SES Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years applying to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under Title 5 of the United States Code?

To verify, please submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) or other relevant documentation reflecting your status as a Political Appointee.
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20. Are you receiving a retirement annuity from OPM based on retiring from the Federal government? If you select yes and you are selected for this position, your salary will be off-set by the amount of your retirement annuity.

To verify, please submit a copy of your retirement SF-50 with your application package.
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Assessment 1
The questions below is a scree out, failure to meet the requirement will remove you from consideration. (limit characters)
1. I have a FAA Commercial or ATP pilot certificate. (limit characters)
2. Select preferred aircraft type you would like to take your flight assessment with. (limit characters)
3. Please provide the date of your pilot certificate. (limit characters)
4. Please provide pilot certificate number. (limit characters)
5. Select one of the following statements that best describes your medical certificate (must be dated within the last 12 months). (limit characters)
6. Please provide the date of your FAA Medical. *FAA Medicals must be dated within the last 12 months to be considered valid, and you will be
required to have a FAA Class 1 Medical at the time of your flight assessment.
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7. Which of the following statements best describes your experience to qualify for the GS-11 grade level? (limit characters)
8. Select the statement that best describes your experience. (limit characters)
9. If you have been a part-time professional pilot for a minimum of 2 years, please indicate number of hours worked per week. (limit characters)
10. I have logbook records showing a total of (select only one): (limit characters)
11. Verify your total flight hours. (limit characters)
12. I have logbook records showing a minimum of 250 Pilot-In-Command (PIC) flight hours and 75 instrument hours (actual and/or simulated/
hood).
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13. I have logbook records showing a total of 75 night hours (You must complete the following questions). (limit characters)
If you have under 1,500 Flight hours, please answer the following 5 questions. (limit characters)
14. Please certify the number of flight hours as a flight instructor. (limit characters)
15. Please certify the number of flight hours flying as a multi-engine aircraft. (limit characters)
16. Please certify the number of flight hours flying with night vision devices. (limit characters)
17. I certify that I have flown in areas the U.S. Government has considered imminent danger zones/combat zones. (Example: Pilot for the army flying
helicopter in Afghanistan).
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18. If you have flown UAS (Predator A MQ-1, Predator B MQ-9, Global Hawk RQ-4) Aircraft, please enter the number of your flight hours. (limit characters)
19. I certify that i have experience flying over difficult/dangerous terrain and/or over water. (limit characters)
20. If you are flying or have flown other UAS Aircraft. List all the UAS Aircraft's flown with the total flight hours for each UAS Aircraft (Example:
Predator A MQ-1 - 500 Flight hours).
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21. I have flown 100 flight hours in the last 12 months. (limit characters)
22. I acknowledge that I will have to submit a current FAA Commercial or ATP pilot certificate, FAA Medical Class I, and Flight Logs before
attending my AIA 3 part assessment.
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23. Have you taken and FAILED a CBP polygraph examination within the last two years? (limit characters)
Please answer the following questions in relationship to Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Re-competition Rules for Air Interdiction Agent (AIA)
candidates that AO recruits and hires the highest quality applicants. AMO's AIA Assessment is 3 parts and includes the written exam, practical
exercise and structured interview.
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24. Have you taken and successfully passed all parts of the AIA 3 part assessment in the last 5 years? (limit characters)
25. Have you taken and successfully passed all parts of the AIA 3 part assessment in the last 5 years but previously declined an offer for placement
into an AIA position with AMO?
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26. Have you failed any part of the AIA 3-part assessment within the last 90 days? (limit characters)
27. Have you failed any part of the AIA 3-part assessment more than once? (limit characters)
28. Available to enter on duty. (Month/Date/Year) (limit characters)
The following questions will be used to rate applicants who meet the minimum eligibility and qualification requirements. These are not screen-out questions. (limit characters)
29. Select the option that best describes your experience performing air patrols and surveillance.
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30. Select the option that best describes you experience interdicting vessels and people. (limit characters)
31. Select the option that best describes your experience in detecting and identifying contraband smuggling methods. (limit characters)
32. Select the option that best describes your experience in sign cutting and sensor response techniques.
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33. Select the option that best describes your ability to make recommendations on the most appropriate strategy/approach to coordinate aircraft and ground assets. (limit characters)
34. Do you have experience flying in support of Federal, State, and/or local agencies?
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35. Do you have experience maintaining contact and cooperation with persons in the general aviation community and other law enforcement agencies to gather/share intelligence information regarding illegal activities or potential acts of terrorism?
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36. Select the choice which best describes the extent of your training and experience in identifying, apprehending, and detaining those suspected of violating laws, regulations, and policies. (limit characters)
37. Do you have experience flying an aircraft in close proximity to another conveyance (for example, land vehicle, aircraft, vessel) in an overt or covert manner?
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38. Select the option that best describes your experience evaluating evidence, facts, circumstances, and other incidents to better process a case including recommending a decision.
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39. Select the choice which best describes your ability to communicate with all levels of employees and the public and resolve conflicts as needed.
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40. Are you able to obtain and maintain firearms certification?
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41. Select the option that best describes your experience in evaluating aircraft operational procedures and mechanical difficulties.
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42. Select the choice which best describes your ability to gather and analyze facts, defined problems, identified solutions and make decisions that impact the accomplishment of mission.
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43. Select the option that best describes your experience in evaluating projects or programs for effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance.
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44. Select the choice that best describes the extent of your experience ensuring the security of information, records, and other documents. (limit characters)
We are interested in your feedback regarding the type of advertisement that BEST impacted your decision to apply for THIS job with CBP. (limit characters)
45. Where did you learn about employment with CBP that BEST impacted your decision to apply for this position at this time? Select only one. (limit characters)
46. If you chose "Other" in the previous question, please add your response below. Otherwise, please enter N/A. (limit characters)
47. Please provide the five-digit zip code of where you attended an event, saw an advertisement, or otherwise decided to apply for this position
based on your response in the previous question.
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48. Please provide the month (MM) and year (YYYY) you attended an event or saw an advertisement, below. If this does not apply to you, please
enter N/A.
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49. If a "job board" influenced you the MOST to apply to this position, where did you see the advertisement? (limit characters)
50. If you chose "Other or No" in the previous question, please add your response below. Otherwise, please enter N/A (limit characters)
51. What was your main incentive to apply to this position? (Select only one) (limit characters)
52. If you chose "Other" in the previous question, please add your response below. Otherwise, please enter N/A. (limit characters)