Assistant Center Director

The incumbent serves as an Assistant to the Center Director. The Assistant Center Director is responsible for management and supervision of one of the Centers three divisions which focus on either the Enforcement Validation & Compliance or Partnership aspects of the Centers strategic mission and responsibilities.

This position starts at a salary of $146632.00 (GS-14 Step 1) to $190627.00 (GS-14 Step 10) .
Typical work assignments include:

• Managing national strategic trade activities to accomplish the CBP trade mission to include revenue collection summary review and validation processes and trade enforcement actions associated with the importation and exportation of merchandise involved in international trade.
• Managing the daily activities and providing oversight of operational and tactical trade responsibilities within the Center. Directing the national trade policy and national trade program functions of CBP by administering account-based principles providing uniformity and clarity for the development of CBPs national trade strategy.
• Contributing to the development of national policy and processing strategies unique to an assigned industry thereby increasing business certainty for industry partners.
• Ensuring that national policy implementation is monitored and evaluated to ensure nationwide uniformity within their Center. Assisting with the management of organizational changes associated with the assigned Center.
• Planning directing and timely executing all trade program activity pertaining to an assigned industry including development and assignment of goals and objectives for supervisors of subordinate employees. Contributing to the development of strategic goals for the Center ensuring that the Center goals align with Agency goals. Managing through direct reports a multi-disciplinary staff.

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed select the Rest of United States pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series grade level and location of the visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBPs mission core values and careers at 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 :

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level performing duties such as:

• Supervising managing or directing trade operational programs (e.g. port director special agent in charge district director regional manager supervisory inspector supervisory import etc.);
• Interpreting and applying CBP laws regulations and precedents as well as Office of Field Operations policies and procedures concerning the import and export of merchandise and cargo to the U.S. (including characteristics of items imported/exported to determine or verify classification value and property of transport);
• Processing and controlling operations for merchandise/cargo along with managing regulatory requirements of multiple existing trade laws and legislation;
• Developing implementing and evaluating trade policies strategies or risk-based approaches at a national or multi-port level including applying trade laws and remedies.

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 08/14/2026.

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

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.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPMs Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

Education

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