Cartographer (Geographic Information Systems)

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 position functions as a geographic information systems (GIS) analyst for a U.S. Border Patrol Sector Intelligence Unit.

This position starts at a salary of $89508.00 (GS-12 Step 1) to $116362.00 (GS-12 Step 10) .

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.

The Cartographer (GIS) provides multi-faceted technical support to management while supporting the development and implementation of GIS duties and responsibilities include:

• Performing geospatial data management functions for national-level datasets to include data identification compilation modification analysis maintenance distributing archiving and metadata attribution.
• Performing geospatial analysis including spatial and temporal pattern identification of border activities utilizing modern mapping techniques to analyze trends to predict border criminal activity to help allocate law enforcement resources accordingly.
• Using established geographic and cartographic concepts and principles for cartographic and analytical GIS and global positioning system (GPS) products adapting standard techniques and optimizing methods of graphical presentation of complex border activities and issues.
• Performing GIS duties by primarily utilizing Environmental Systems Research Inc (ESRI) software suite and associated software and extensions.

• 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.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position represented under the National Border Patrol Council - NBPC. For local chapter contact information see Position has a Basic Requirement:
  Successful completion of a full 4-year course study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree in cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science and related mathematics. Such course work includes but is not limited to cartography astronomy geodesy photogrammetry physical and geological oceanography computer science land surveying geophysics physical geography and remote sensing. The 30 semester hours must have included at least 6 but no more than 15 semester hours of college level non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e. college level algebra trigonometry calculus or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).
  --OR--
  Combination of education and experience -- course equivalent to a major in cartography or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science and related mathematics as shown above plus appropriate experience or additional educations.
  
  Required Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 grade level you must possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level performing duties such as:
  • Planning implementing maintaining and expanding large-scale enterprise Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) architecture in a cloud environment.
  • Conducting advanced geospatial database administration and geospatial analysis to extract meaningful insights from geographic data.
  • Processing data through appropriate software.
  • Using principles of relational database management systems (RDBMS) for data management creation and maintenance within a multi-user versioned geodatabase environment.
  • Supporting overall GIS Program Management by planning organizing and leading the development of requirements budget proposals and contracting efforts.
  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.
  
  Education Substitution: not available
  
  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 by 09/23/2026.
  
  In order to be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the addition to the application and application questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  
  Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
  
  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) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPMs Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under CTAP/ICTAP you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position as described within this addition you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
  Education

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

  Additional information

  Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
  
  The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply to include persons with intellectual severe physical or psychiatric disabilities as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u) and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents experiences and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
  
  Please upload your resume under the Resume document type. Any other relevant supporting documents should be uploaded under their appropriate document types as mentioned above. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Do notsubmit documents as a PDF Portfolios. You may submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and attach in the other document option.

  Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.