Intelligence Research Specialist

Join Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Intelligence Enterprise as a source analyst applying a full range of expert intelligence to provide insights that warn of potential threats and assessments regarding national security. This position starts at a salary of $89508.00 (GS-12 Step 1) to $138370.00 (GS-13 Step 10).

Typical responsibilities include:

• Identifying reviewing and evaluating large volumes of sensitive and complex information from multiple or specific sources to provide intelligence products and reports in support of strategic operational or tactical operations producing finished analyses reports and briefings.
• Providing analytic direction and project-monitoring services specified in geographical and functional areas.
• Using established intelligence techniques to analyze data from a variety of sources to develop targets trends patterns profiles estimates and studies in support of CBP operational and mission success.
• Evaluating reviewing and validating intelligence reports plans guides and/or manuals.
• Representing the organization in working groups or committees internal and external to the agency initiating and maintaining useful contact with counterparts and colleagues.

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.

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.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Security Clearance: You will be required to obtain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information level clearance for this position.

Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete Intelligence Specialist Core and Specialized paid training. The location will be determined at the time of training. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position demotion or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level performing duties such as:

• Conducting research and evaluating all-source data to assist in the preparation of intelligence products that identify trends in illegal immigration and support situational awareness for border security operations.
• Supporting the intelligence collection cycle by identifying intelligence gaps and submitting Requests for Information (RFIs) to ensure that collection resources are effectively aligned with priority requirements regarding the movement of aliens.
• Contributing to the development of finished intelligence products by synthesizing information from various databases to highlight threat patterns thereby assisting senior analysts in providing actionable intelligence to operational personnel.
• Participating in internal working groups and assisting with the dissemination of intelligence products ensuring all work complies with established CBP legal authorities policies and intelligence production standards.

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:

• Leading intelligence analysis projects that support strategic operational and tactical border security decisions including counterterrorism counter-narcotics human smuggling or trafficking trade enforcement cyber financial crime counterintelligence or emerging threat missions.
• Analyzing information from multiple intelligence law enforcement and open-source systems to develop finished intelligence products threat assessments incident reports situation reports briefings estimates profiles patterns and studies.
• Managing high-volume all-source intelligence research by reviewing classified sensitive law enforcement and open-source information to identify threats intelligence gaps trends and operational impacts.
• Coordinating intelligence production and dissemination with internal and external partners including federal state local tribal territorial intelligence community and law enforcement stakeholders while following applicable policies standards and legal authorities.

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 09/18/2026.

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) 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 well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this addition you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Education

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