Supervisory Import Specialist

In this role you will be responsible for directing and coordinating administrative operations performed by a Center of Excellence and Expertise team tasked with enforcing statutory regulatory and treaty requirements on behalf of CBP and other federal and state agencies. You will ensure a uniform and consistent approach within your assigned industry making nationwide and account-based determinations on merchandise admissibility and other import-related decisions to support CBPs mission effectively.

This position starts at a salary of $106437.00 (GS-13 Step 1) to $138370.00 (GS-13 Step 10).

Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and if applicable will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.

Major duties may include but are not limited to:

• Providing technical advice on the admissibility control entry revenue collection and on the functions and use of the agencys automated systems.
• Providing authoritative advice to Import Specialists nationwide on tariff classification and entered value of imported merchandise to ensure appropriate duties taxes and fees are assessed.
• Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders at a national level to resolve technical and operational questions regarding program(s) supervised.
• Coordinating national account related activities among other Centers and Ports of Entry to address issues. Ensuring open communication between Center and local Port Management. Providing expert advice regarding accounts to CBPOs and to Headquarters personnel.
• Supervising a medium-to-large staff and performing a full range of supervisory functions. Approving leave interviewing candidates for vacancies recommending awards planning and scheduling work and setting and adjusting priorities and preparing schedules for completion of work.

The selection will be made and oversight of this position will be maintained by the Field Office below but the physical location of this position will remain in the duty location chosen.

Locations:
Long Beach CA - Electronics (ELEC)
Los Angeles CA - Electronics (ELEC)
Middleburg Heights OH - Apparel Footwear & Textiles (AFT) Electronics (ELEC)
Mobile AL - Apparel Footwear & Textiles (AFT)
Norfolk VA - Apparel Footwear & Textiles (AFT) Electronics (ELEC) Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising (CPMM)
Detroit MI - Automotive and Aerospace (AA)
Blaine WA- Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising (CPMM)
Queens NY- Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising (CPMM)

**This announcement has been amended on 01/30/2026 to extend the closing date to 02/06/2026.**

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• As an employee of CBP you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees and to CBP employees specifically as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• DHS uses E-Verify an internet-based system to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
• Financial Disclosure is required.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level performing duties such as:

• Serving as a Senior or Lead Import Specialist responsible for ensuring that routine work assignments of an assigned team are carried out in accordance with established guidelines and with administrative and judicial precedent.
• Interpreting and applying laws regulations policies procedures and documentation that govern the importation of merchandise related to customs processes for entry and examination of imports.
• Planning conducting and controlling the review analysis and processing of formal entries and US Tariff schedules classification and appraisement pertaining to assigned lines of merchandise and established priorities for different types of entries used in the determination of tariff classification and value.
• Evaluating information on industry trends needed and developing strategic plans for the assigned Center and providing recommendations when necessary.
• Reviewing Federal laws and regulations procedures practices and documentation requirements for admittance into the US and into commerce that are related to customs processes for entry and examination of imports that are prohibited and restricted.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the Required Documents section below for additional resume requirements.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements including education if applicable to this position subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 02/06/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: 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 agencys 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 additional information on the preemployment process review the following link: Applicant Resources CBP Careers

Polygraph Examination: CBP has the authority to conduct a polygraph for the Supervisory Import Specialist position however at this time a polygraph is not a pre-employment requirement. If CBP decides to implement the polygraph as a pre-employment requirement while you are in the hiring process CBP will notify you and provide additional information.

Residency: 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. If you do not meet the residency requirement 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 waiver 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

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.