Supervisory Investigative Program Specialist (Polygraph Examiner)
Job Location:
Tucson, AZ - 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 Professional Responsibility Credibility Assessment Division located in one of the following locations:
- Tucson AZ
- Yuma AZ
- San Diego CA
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 as a first-line supervisor and technical advisor for a staff of Investigative Program Specialists within an assigned Area of Responsibility (AOR). Responsible for planning organizing directing administering and coordinating polygraph credibility assessment and investigative operations and associated programs within the assigned AOR.
This position starts at a salary of $136456.00 (GS-14 Step 1) to $177399.00 (GS-14 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.
The Major Duties for this position are listed below but not limited to:
- 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
- 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.
All Polygraph Examiners hired for this position must be certified by the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) through successful completion of the Basic Federal Polygraph Training Program or must provide proof of successful completion of an approved civilian polygraph training course.
Applicants who are not currently CBP Polygraph Examiners must submit documentation demonstrating they meet this requirement such as:
An NCCA certificate;
- Proof of successful completion of the Basic Federal Polygraph Training Program; or
- Proof of successful completion of an approved civilian polygraph training course.
Applicants who were certified through a prior official designation of the NCCA including the Defense Academy for Credibility Assessment or the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute must submit the appropriate certificate and must also meet the specialized experience requirements listed in this announcement.
If you are unable to provide certification documentation at the time of application you must submit transcripts to demonstrate you meet the education requirement.
Current CBP Polygraph Examiners are considered to have met this requirement.
Applicants must meet the following basic requirements for the Investigative Program Specialist (Polygraph Examiner) position:
Education: Possess a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a copy of your National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) certification. Current CBP Polygraph Examiners are considered to have met this requirement.
Investigative Experience: Possess at least two years of investigative experience with a recognized U.S. Government agency or other law enforcement agency. Your resume must clearly describe this investigative experience or you must submit a copy of your NCCA certification. Current CBP Polygraph Examiners are considered to have met this requirement.
PDD/Polygraph Examination: Have successfully completed a Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) polygraph examination. You must provide proof of the PDD/polygraph examination in your resume or submit a copy of your NCCA certification. Current CBP Polygraph Examiners are considered to have met this requirement.
Minimum Age: Be at least 25 years of age. Age will be verified using an SF-50 DD-214 or other official government document. Do not redact your date of birth on the SF-50 DD-214 or other official government document submitted for this purpose. Do not submit a photo identification card or any other document containing a photograph. Current CBP Polygraph Examiners are considered to have met this requirement.
- Conducting overseeing and evaluating polygraph examinations and credibility assessment activities in support of personnel security applicant screening criminal administrative counterintelligence or national security programs.
- Planning directing coordinating and/or evaluating polygraph operations and related investigative activities involving complex sensitive and high-visibility matters.
- Providing technical guidance policy interpretation and operational oversight to polygraph examiners and investigative personnel.
- Reviewing polygraph reports investigative documentation and/or quality assurance findings to assess accuracy completeness and adherence to established standards.
- Advising management officials on polygraph credibility assessment investigative and personnel security matters and recommending solutions to complex operational issues.
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 08/28/2026.
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 Investigative Program Specialist (Polygraph Examiner) 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.
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.
Your transcripts: Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. Note: If submitting documentation of an evaluation transcripts are still required. For a listing of some accrediting agencies see NACES Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members. See for more information.
Current CBP Polygraph Examiners are considered to have met this requirement.
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.
Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment.
Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP 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 3 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.
Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See THIS JOB IS OPEN TO section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans military spouses Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers and people 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 and to understand what documentation would be required with your application please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement.
- Veterans
- Military spouses Effective until December 31 2028 any spouse of a member on active duty may be eligible
- Individuals with Disabilities The proof of disability documentation must specify that you are eligible to apply using Schedule A. It does NOT need to detail your specific disability medical history or need for accommodation. For more information visit this link.
- Peace Corps and VISTA
- Land Management Hiring Flexibility Act: The following documents are required at the time of application: SF-50s to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements and the most recent performance rating signed by your supervisor or a statement from your supervisor documenting acceptable performance.
- Other miscellaneous hiring authorities
Follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Twitter @CustomsBorder
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
