Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, within the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) Office, located in Laredo, TX.
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: Preparing and recommending decisions on cases Recommending the issuance of guidance to personnel when issues of noncompliance are identified Advising supervisor of problems and solutions involving the relationship of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures to broader operations Deciding the acceptability of evidence in penalty, seizure or liquidated damage cases 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 06/27/2025. 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 agency's 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.
The FPF office is responsible for the initiation and/or adjudication of civil liabilities arising from seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages initiated under the authority of Title 7 (Agriculture) Title 8 (Migrants and Nationality) and 19 (Customs Duties) of the U.S. Code (as well as other laws and regulations enforced by DHS). This position starts at a salary of $109,461.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $142,302.00 (GS-13, Step 10). Typical duties include: Supervising the day-to-day operations of a Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) office service area and processes the adjudication of all liquidated damages, penalties, fines, and seizure cases. Receiving, examining, and evaluating petitions and supplemental petitions filed by individuals, attorneys, corporations, or other legal entities seeking relief from forfeiture of seizures, penalties, fines, and liquidated damages. Applying in-depth knowledge of pertinent laws, CBP regulations, and procedures in discussing petitioner rights and identifying the obligations of the petitioner.