Customs and Border Protection Logo
Position Title
CBP Agriculture Specialist
Agency
Customs and Border Protection
Announcement Number
AGS 24-2 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, February 26, 2024 to Friday, March 1, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. 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 located 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. (limit characters)
3. 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; 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
  • 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. (limit characters)
Preferences
1. While the location in this announcement is "Location Negotiable," the following duty locations are most likely to have CBP Agriculture Specialist vacancies at the time of your final offer. Offers are made based on operational needs and requirements and are determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations. Although the locations listed below will most likely be available, the duty location offered in your final offer letter may include any geographic location within the United States that meets agency mission-critical needs.

Select your preferred duty location from the list below. (limit characters)
2. You may be required to complete a polygraph examination during the pre-employment process. If required, you will be contacted by the Office of Professional Responsibility to schedule the required polygraph examination and may be required to travel to attend the polygraph. Please provide your ONE preferred location for your polygraph. 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. (limit characters)
3. 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. (limit characters)
4. 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. (limit characters)
5. How did you first hear about this position? (limit characters)
6. If you have received a tentative selection letter and are currently in the pre-employment process for an entry-level CBP Agriculture Specialist position at any grade (GS-5, 7 or 9), all active pre-employment process statuses will be applied to this application (e.g., medical status, background investigation, etc.).

Do you want to continue with your application? (limit characters)
7. Are you a current Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employee? (limit characters)
8. If you are a current CBP employee seeking reassignment to another duty location, we encourage you to pursue internal opportunities for reassignment that may be available to you via merit promotion or reassignment opportunity announcements.

Note: Applying to and accepting a job offer under this announcement will require you to accept the grade level stated in the announcement, which might require a change to lower grade action. If you are a current GS-12 step 1, your salary may be reduced to a GS-5 step 10. Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes for grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency and may be subject to a probationary period. If you are currently receiving a retirement annuity from OPM based on retiring from the Federal government and you are selected for this position, please note that your Federal salary will be off-set by the amount of your retirement annuity.

Do you wish to continue with the entry-level process? (limit characters)
9. Are you willing to undergo a background investigation and a polygraph examination for this position? (limit characters)
10. The CBP Agriculture Specialist position has medical qualification standards to ensure those tasked with the position's responsibilities are medically, physically, and mentally capable of performing the essential tasks and job functions in an efficient and safe manner without endangering the health and safety of co-workers, the public, or oneself.

CBP will schedule, provide, and pay for the required basic medical examination. If medical information is recommended beyond the pre-placement examination, it is provided at the candidate's expense.

I understand that if I receive a tentative selection, I will be required to meet the medical requirements and if travel is necessary to complete the medical or a medical follow-up is required, I understand I may incur additional expenses. (limit characters)
11. Will you comply with the following pre-employment requirements?
  • Undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug-screening test
  • Undergo a comprehensive medical examination to determine fitness for employment in U.S. Customs and Border Protection
 (limit characters)
12. New recruits to the CBP Agriculture Specialist job receive extensive training before beginning official duties. Please answer the following question with the understanding that you will be trained before assuming duty as a CBP Agriculture Specialist. These duties represent some, but not all, of the essential functions of the CBP Agriculture Specialist occupation. Will you comply with the following on the job requirements and/or conditions?
  • Be exposed to people who carry infectious diseases
  • Potentially be assigned to small, remote locations or large metropolitan areas in which there are people whose cultures are significantly different from their own
  • Enforce all Federal laws without exception regardless of your personal feelings about these laws and regulations
  • Be required to work overtime based on operational needs
  • Be exposed to all kinds of weather and environmental conditions, such as contact with potentially harmful substances (hazardous materials), vehicle exhaust fumes, and slippery surfaces; Employees will be provided appropriate personal protective equipment for all of these conditions
  • Engage in strenuous physical exertion, such as heavy lifting, crouching or crawling in restricted areas, climbing, and running
  • Occasionally travel for conferences, training, or special operations
  • Be willing to work with others on a professional basis, with mutual respect, regardless of racial, cultural, religious, political or other differences
  • Be required to serve a probationary period in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security policy and Office of Personnel Management regulations as put forth in Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 315 Section 801 (5CFR315.801) and understand that right(s) and entitlement(s) for adverse and disciplinary actions will be processed In accordance with the provisions of the 5 CFR 315.806
  • Attend and successfully complete a 59 day training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA
  • Submit to random drug testing after employment
  • Certify that you will have a valid driver's license at the time of your appointment as a CBP Agricultural Specialist and that you are not prohibited from obtaining a valid driver's license in the United States
 (limit characters)
13. CBP Agriculture Specialists are required to wear a prescribed uniform and to conform to established grooming standards. Will you comply with these requirements? (limit characters)
14. As indicated in the job announcement, CBP operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is critical to our mission of protecting our nation's borders and citizenry that CBP Agriculture Specialists be available for work at any time their presence and skills are required. Therefore, it is a condition of employment that all CBP Agriculture Specialists comply with this requirement, to be available as part of their regular work schedule on weekend, evenings and nights, holidays and unscheduled overtime as CBP determines necessary.

Note: In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, CBP does not make hiring decisions based on an individual's religion. If you are offered a position, you may make a request for a religious accommodation through your immediate supervisor, following your entrance on duty, which will be evaluated in accordance with Federal law. As it pertains to you, if you are willing to make such a request, please indicate "Yes" to the following question.

Would you be able to work a schedule that could include changing your days off within the seven calendar days of Sunday through Saturday? (limit characters)
15. I have read the above Conditions of Employment and understand that these conditions are a requirement for appointment to a CBP Agriculture Specialist 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. (limit characters)
16. To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, CBP requires every employee to be reliable, trustworthy, and fit for duty. To meet these standards, applicants will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a background investigation, a medical examination, a drug test, a structured interview, and a polygraph examination in order to be placed into the CBP Agriculture Specialist position. Approximately one in four applicants who receive a tentative offer of selection will successfully enter on duty as a CBP Agriculture Specialist.

I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information contained in my online application for Federal Employment is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. I understand that a false or fraudulent answer to any question or item on any part of my online application may be grounds for not hiring me, or for firing me after I begin work, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment or both (18 U.S.C. 1001).

By clicking "Yes" below, I certify that the information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a residency requirement that applies to 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 (3) of the last five (5) years before completing an application for CBP employment. Primary residence is defined as the place where an individual physically resides and the place from which he or she commutes to an official duty station. An individual may have more than one residence (including but not limited to a second home, a vacation home, or an investment property), but can establish only one primary residence. If hired for this position, you will be required to maintain your primary residence in the United States.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 (2) of the last five (5) 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:
  1. Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military; or
  2. A dependent of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government; or
  3. Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, a consultant or an intern for the U.S. Government, or
  4. Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.

Do you meet the U.S. Customs and Border Protection residency requirement? (limit characters)
2. All CBP applicants are required to successfully complete a background investigation. You may be given an opportunity to start your career with CBP earlier if you elect to enter on duty (EOD) with a provisional clear. A provisional clear is based on the successful completion of certain pre-employment investigation checks. The decision to enter on duty with a provisional clear, if made available, is your decision to make. Should you choose not to enter on duty in a provisional clear status, your application and eligibility for this position will not be negatively affected; however, your EOD date may be delayed.

If you EOD with a provisional clear and your full background investigation is not successfully completed, you will be removed from the position with CBP.

If offered a position, do you elect to enter on duty (EOD) under a provisional clear status? (limit characters)
The CBP Agriculture Specialist has a Basic Requirement. The following questions will be used to determine whether or not you meet the mandatory Basic Requirement for this position. Eligibility will be verified based on your resume and transcripts.

Basic Requirement: You must meet this Basic Requirement in order to be considered for the position.

       1. Degree:  Possess a bachelor's degree (or higher) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, animal science, plant science, pest management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position;   
 
 OR      
       
       2. Combination of education and experience: Completed at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in a qualifying field of study, as shown above, PLUS qualifying experience or additional education.  To determine if you meet the combination, divide the months of qualifying experience by 48; divide the number of undergraduate semester hours by 120 (or 180 for undergraduate quarter hours); add the two percentages together; the total must equal at least 100% or more. (limit characters)
3. Basic Requirement - Which of the following best describes your education to qualify for the Basic Requirement and for the GS-5 grade level? (limit characters)
4. GS-7 - In addition to the Basic Requirement, which of the following best describes your education and/or experience to qualify for the GS-7 grade level? (limit characters)
5. GS-9 - In addition to the Basic Requirement, which of the following best describes your education and/or experience to qualify for the GS-9 grade level? (limit characters)
6. Are you a current or former Federal employee? (limit characters)
7. Qualifications based on work experience will be determined by what is listed on your resume. Work experience refers to both paid and unpaid experience, such as volunteer work.
Your resume must:
  • Be written in English
  • Include full legal name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Complete work history (which includes job titles)
  • Detailed description of your duties (including tasks performed)
  • The dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY - MM/DD/YY)
  • Hours worked per week for any position you worked that was not full time (less than 35 hours per week)
  • Current and former Federal employees please include your salary, pay scale and pay grade
Do you agree to provide a resume that contains the necessary requirements listed in the instructions above? (limit characters)
8. Indicate the extent to which you have interacted with individuals within (co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, etc.) and outside (passengers, customers, representatives from other agencies) of your organization. (limit characters)
9. Indicate the extent of your experience interacting with individuals with diverse background, ethnicities, or cultures at all organizational levels.
 (limit characters)
10. Select the statement which best described how you typically plan and organize your work. (limit characters)
11. Select the choice which best described your experience working in or leading work-related teams.
 (limit characters)
12. Indicate the extent of your experience in expressing facts and ideas in writing.
 (limit characters)
13. Indicate the extent of your experience performing inspections and taking regulatory action.
 (limit characters)
14. Indicate the extent of your experience obtaining oral declarations from passengers by verbally asking agricultural questions.
 (limit characters)
15. Indicate the extent of your experience using proper interviewing techniques to elicit/detect potential smuggling and pest risks.
 (limit characters)
16. Indicate the extent of your experience in using laboratory tools, instruments, or equipment effectively.
 (limit characters)
17. Do you have experience preparing and preserving pests and agriculture-related diseases for later identification? (limit characters)
18. Indicate the extent of your experience explaining to members of the public why specific items are intercepted and restricted/prohibited.
 (limit characters)
19. Do you have experience conducting passenger or cargo targeting?
 (limit characters)
20. Indicate the extent of your experience identifying, treating, and mitigating biological contaminants in vessels, aircraft, trailers, sea containers, or railcars (e.g. Asian Gypsy Moth egg masses). (limit characters)
21. What is your level of knowledge of biology?
 (limit characters)
22. What is your level of knowledge of entomology?
 (limit characters)
23. What is your level of knowledge of botany?
 (limit characters)
24. What is your level of knowledge of pathology?
 (limit characters)
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