Supervisory CBP Officer (Watch Commander)
Job Location:
Detroit, MI - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security within U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations Detroit Field Office located in Detroit MI.
Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to manage one or more national programs in order to help to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering/exiting the U.S. Apply for this exciting opportunity to direct programs that strengthen the Departments ability to perform homeland security.
This position starts at a salary of $142581.00 (GS-14 Step 1) to$185361.00 (GS-14 Step 10).In this Watch Commander position for the Office of Field Operations you will become a key member of a team of homeland security professionals responsible for managing all reportable incidents emergent activities within the port. Major duties may include:
- Evaluating work performance of subordinates giving advice counsel or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters and finding ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed
- Finding and implementing ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers preventing the subordinate workforce from effectively and/or efficiently inspecting persons cargo merchandise and conveyances entering and exiting the port(s) of entry and the enforcement of related laws regulations policies and procedures
- Monitoring subordinate supervisor approvals and provides higher-level approval where required for admissibility administrative civil and criminal proceedings including removal of persons from the U.S. and fines and penalties against carriers and individuals
- Developing and maintaining relationships with cooperating government agencies port authorities foreign entities and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts share information and provide guidance on laws and regulations enforced by CBP
- Acting as the single accountable official covering all locations within the port for managing normal operations as well as major incidents and emergencies
If going from a Primary CBPO Special Retirement Covered (SRC) Position to a Secondary CBPO SRC Position and you have less than 3 years in a Primary CBPO SRC Position: Please be advised that when you enter on duty in this Secondary CBPO SRC position you will no longer be covered under the Special Retirement System for CBP Officers but will only be covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or covered under your applicable non-special retirement system depending upon previous service. For further information on the Secondary CBPO SRC please see the Qualifications section.
This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement as defined below:
- The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or
- The employees permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable
- For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.
- For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.
- 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 and/or polygraph
- CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
- You must have taken the required CBP Officer Promotional Assessment component and have a passing Total Score
- Firearm Requirement:This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968 amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing stalking or threatening an intimate partner (spouse former spouse parent of applicants child individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant) or child; or 8) convicted under Federal State or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
- Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the Ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid non-restricted drivers license is required.
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.
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:
- Monitoring and evaluating employee work products and implementing policies intended to improve and develop employees while coaching and mentoring employees
- Assigning or accomplishing assignments projects studies or investigations intended to explore and resolve major operational and law enforcement problems or to develop improve or install new procedures
- Responding to and resolving technical and operational questions regarding function or program supervised while interacting with carriers port authorities other agencies and foreign entities to exchange information and provide guidance on admissibility and compliance
- Supervising collection and dissemination relevant information and intelligence concerning trends/patterns and particular persons merchandise and conveyances traveling through U.S. ports of entry
- Supervising operational activities related to inspection intelligence analysis examination anti-terrorism and other law enforcement programs relating to the arrival and departure of persons conveyances and merchandise into the United States
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.
Secondary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (5 CFR 842.1003; 5 USC 8425(b) 5 USC 8335(b); and 5 USC 8412(d). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a primary position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a primary position; and if applicable have been continuously employed in a secondary position or positions since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age click on this link If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at .
The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6 2008.
Administrative Secondary CBP Officer (CBPO) Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) Requirement: This position meets the definition of secondary administrative CBPO SRC under the laws and regulations defined in 5 U.S.C. 8331 (31) Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and General Provisions for CBPO defined in 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The criterion is that knowledge skill and ability in a position deemed to meet primary CBPO SRC is a mandatory prerequisite to satisfactorily perform the major duties and responsibilities of this job. The conditions for coverage of a secondary position are contained in 5 C.F.R. 831.1604 for CSRS and 5 C.F.R. 842.1003 for FERS. As defined in 5 C.F.R. 831.1602 CSRS and 5 CFR 842.1002 FERS to be eligible for this secondary administrative CBP) SRC position you must have permanently served in a primary CBPO SRC position e.g. Customs Inspector GS-1890; Immigration Inspector GS-1816; Canine Enforcement Officer GS-1801; or CBP Officer GS-1895.
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 08/07/2026
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: The Supervisory CBP Officer (Watch Commander) position is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.
Probationary Period: Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
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
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
If you are not a current GS-1895 and you are selected you will have to meet the following medical/physical standards:
Physical/Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual others or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements check out our video and visit our website.
Physical Fitness Test: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please view both Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test and Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test.
Security Clearance: You may be required to obtain a Secret clearance for this position.
Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment.
Leadership Training: All newly appointed second level Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 4 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.
Selectees may be required to successfully complete the Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS) course. Failure to successfully complete the ESS course within the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being removed from the position.
Rotation of Assignments/Duty Locations: You may be required to rotate assignments and duty locations.
Uniform: This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.
Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices aircraft operation areas airline passenger and cargo areas and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow rain or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities. The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats gloves goggles hearing protection and respirators.
Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete 89 days of paid training at the CBP Field Operations Academy in Glynco GA. 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.
Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution.
Shift work: You may be required to perform work on a shift and rotational basis.
Overtime: You must be readily available to work overtime on a scheduled or unscheduled basis in excess of the 40-hour work week.
Please view the video Protecting America 24/7 to learn more about CBPs Office of Field Operations.
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.
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.
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.
Required Experience:
Manager
