Sector Enforcement Specialist Job in Throughout The Nation - 90252994 - ZAR3DKTGPNLNW

Job Title:
SECTOR ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST

Department:
Department Of Homeland Security

Agency:
Customs and Border Protection

Job Announcement Number:
MHCBPDE-373561-OC

SALARY RANGE:
$27,431.00 - $54,028.00 /year

OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 to Wednesday, September 21, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:GS-1801-05/09

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time Career/Career Conditional

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
9

DUTY LOCATIONS:
Many vacancies - Throughout the Nation

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

CBP:  Securing America's Borders

Whether on the frontlines or serving behind the scenes supporting our mission, the men and women of CBP are dedicated to keeping America safe.  CBP counts on them.  Our Nation counts on them.  Can we count on you?

This is an open continuous announcement which will establish an inventory of applicants interested in a career as a Sector Enforcement Specialist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Although this announcement is advertised for multiple organizational components, duty locations, and grade levels, it is not intended to convey any expectation that positions will be filled at all organizational components, duty locations, or grade levels.

The salary shown above includes the base pay for the lowest grade and the highest step of the highest possible grade.  Salaries vary by grade level and are adjusted for the locality.  The following link displays the locality pay tables by geographic area.  If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the last table listed "Rest of the United States". http://www.opm.gov/oca/10tables/indexGS.asp

CBP Mission Statement: We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity, and professionalism Discover a challenging and rewarding career in CBP, the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders.  As part of our carefully selected, highly trained team, you'll leverage state-of-the art technology, innovative strategies and world-wide partnerships to protect our communities and defend our frontier.

At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we:

• Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country
• Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products
• Prevent unauthorized entry into the country
•  Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border

 For more information about CBP's mission, activities, and careers, please visit our web site, http://www.cbp.gov/.

Who May Apply: U.S. Citizens. If you are a status candidate, you may also apply through VIN 373562

Organizational Location: Positions will be filled within Customs and Border Protection, Office of Border Patrol, in various locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

For a list of all possible duty stations, please see the "Duties" section of this announcement.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be paid. To compare cost of living data, calculate mortgage scenarios, or gather information on communities and school districts, please visit the website:  http://www.relocationessentials.com/aff/lifecare/tools/salary/col.aspx

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Security Investigation
• Residency Requirement

Additional Duty Location Info:
Many vacancies - Throughout the Nation

You will support the enforcement operations of this agency and other agencies of the border enforcement community.   Specifically, you will monitor the operation of communication links; develop pertinent background data; research local, national and international automated enforcement information systems for the purposes of identifying and developing applicable tactical and operational data; and communicate the results of data searches back to the inquiring parties.   Additionally, you will provide emergency assistance to law enforcement personnel; monitor the operation of radio and network equipment; conduct the initial analysis when equipment/transmission problems are encountered; and initiate actions required to restore radio communications as appropriate.   You will also receive, develop, refine and analyze data impacting real-time enforcement operations.

HOW LONG WILL THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BE USED? This announcement may be used for approximately one year beginning  Wednesday, September 22, 2010.

Eligible applicants may be referred and selected at any time after the opening date for current openings, and continue, as needed, for the duration of this announcement.  If you do not provide an e-mail address, you will not be notified of the outcome of your application.

WHERE WILL POSITIONS BE FILLED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT?
Positions will be filled at multiple locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. See list below to view the list of locations.

Listed below are duty locations where positions may be filled under this announcement:

Blaine Sector

Miami Sector

Blaine Sector HQ, Blaine, WA

Miami Sector HQ, Pembroke Pines, FL

Buffalo Sector

New Orleans Sector

Buffalo Sector HQ, Grand Island, NY

New Orleans Sector HQ, New Orleans, LA

Del Rio Sector

Ramey Sector

Del Rio Sector HQ, Del Rio, TX

Ramey Sector HQ, Aguadilla, PR  

Eagle Pass North Station, Eagle Pass, TX

Rio Grande Sector

Detroit Sector

Brownsville Station, Brownsville, TX

Detroit Sector HQ, Selfridge ANGB, MI

Harlingen Station, Harlingen, TX

McAllen Station, McAllen, TX

Rio Grande Valley Sector HQ, Edinburg, TX

El Centro Sector

El Centro Sector HQ, El Centro, CA

San Diego Sector

San Diego Sector,  San Ysidro, CA 

El Paso Sector

Deming Station, Deming, NM

El Paso Sector HQ, El Paso, TX

Spokane Sector

Spokane Sector HQ, Spokane, WA

Grand Forks Sector

Grand Forks Sector HQ, Grand Forks, ND

Swanton Sector

Swanton Sector HQ, Swanton, VT

Havre Sector

Havre Sector HQ, Havre, MT

Tucson Sector

Douglas Station, Douglas, AZ

Nogales Station, Nogales, AZ

Houlton Sector

Tucson Sector HQ, Tucson, AZ

Houlton Sector HQ, Hodgdon, ME

Yuma Sector

Laredo Sector

Yuma Sector HQ, Yuma AZ

Laredo Sector HQ, Laredo, TX

Marfa Sector

Marfa Sector HQ, Marfa, TX

Locations: You will be asked to identify your location preferences in the on-line application; you may select no more than five location preferences.  If you wish to change locations after your initial application submission you will need to choose all of your locations again, changing even one location will overwrite all previous location choices.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

GS-5:You qualify at the GS-5 level if you possess three (3) years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level.The experience must demonstrate the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.Such experience may have been gained in details to enforcement and intelligence elements; examining data files to identify needed additions, deletions, corrections, or other information changes; conducting less complicated data searches and analyses; participating with service personnel in network analysis projects; and reviewing and updating operational instructions to reflect changing mission support requirements.

GS-7: You qualify at the GS-7 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, the specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level.Examples include searching large law enforcement databases to obtain information in support of law enforcement activities and relaying it to appropriate staff under stressful and/or emergency situations; maintaining automated law enforcement records, cross-referencing information, and extracting files or data in response to inquiries; and researching multiple law enforcement files and records to resolve inconsistencies.

GS-9: You qualify at the GS-9 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the duties of this position. To be credit able, the specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Examples include coordinating extensive law enforcement activities using a variety of communications equipment; retrieving, analyzing, and interpreting (for applicability) sensitive law enforcement data from a variety of sources in response to requests for information; and making critical decisions in conjunction with searches of automated databases in stressful and emergency situations to assist and protect law enforcement officials.

Qualifications by Application Date:  You must meet all qualification requirements at the time of the submission of your application.  If your qualifications and eligibility change, you will need to update your responses in the questionnaire and/or resume reflecting those changes otherwise, you will continue to receive consideration under your original application.

Important!  All the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process.  This verification could occur at any stage of the application process.  Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.

EDUCATION :

GS-5: You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree (or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree) for the experience required at the GS-5 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. 

GS-7: You may substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-7 level. You must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.

GS-7: You may also substitute successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education for the experience required at the GS-7 level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position.   Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

GS-9: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in an accredited college or university, or a L.L.B. degree may be substituted for experience at the GS-9 grade level. Such education must demonstrate the skills needed to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 36 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 2 years of full-time study requirement.

Appropriate combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience also may be used to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-5, 7, and 9 grade levels.

Combining Experience and Education :   To combine your education and experience, you must convert each to a percentage, and then add the percentages. The combined total of your percentage of education and experience must equal at least 100% in order to qualify. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level, by 18. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience. Add your percentages of education and experience. The two percentages must total at least 100%.   For further information on combining education and experience to meet qualifications see: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e6.asp#e5

Foreign Education:  Education completed at foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements.  You must show proof that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. educational programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value; or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university.  It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying and that it is translated into English.

Note: If selected, you will be required to submit a copy of your transcripts.

Residency:  If you are not currently a CBP employee, you must meet one or more of the following primary residence criteria for the last three years prior to submitting your application for employment:

a)  Resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations);

b)  Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or

c)  Been a dependent of a U.S. federal or military employee serving overseas.

Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination.   Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, the church records for the applicant's overseas church missions, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas.   Applicants must provide this information when filing their application for employment.  

Language Requirement:  For positions in Puerto Rico, applicants must be able to read, write and speak Spanish, fluently.

Overtime and Shift Work:This job requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work.You must be available for such assignments.

Drug Testing:This job has been identified as “testing designated” under our Drug-Free Workplace Program.Therefore, you must satisfactorily complete a drug test prior to being hired.The agency will schedule, provide and pay for the drug test.Once on board, you are subject to random drug testing.

Travel:This job requires occasional travel.

Security Clearance: This position requires a security clearance. If selected for this position, you should be able to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Secret Clearance.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
You will be evaluated based upon the resume/transcript (if applicable) and responses you provide on the job specific questionnaire that is required as part of the application process for this position. The automated system will assign you a self-assessment score based on your responses to the on-line questionnaire. You will be assigned a score ranging from 70 to 100 points.

Candidates with high enough scores will be referred to the geographic locations identified.

Once you accept or decline a job offer you will not receive further consideration under this announcement unless you re-apply.

If you are rated ineligible due to an incorrect response or missing documents you must reapply to be eligible for future consideration.

BENEFITS:

The federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees.   These benefits include, but are not limited to: health care, life insurance, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, annual and sick leave, long-term care insurance, and retirement savings plans, and transit subsidies. For more information about these benefits, please visit http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/benefits.asp.

OTHER INFORMATION:

All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, status as a parent, lawful political affiliation, marital status, physical/mental disability (if not a job factor), membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factor.

Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name.  As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.  Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579):  The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Signature -  Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.

False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

E-Verify - CBP uses E-Verify to validate all newly hired applicants' ability to work legally in the United States. For more information on E-Verify, please follow this link. http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/e-ver-employee-rights.pdf

Selective Service - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Promotion Potential: The promotion potential shown on this announcement is not applicable to each position that may be filled. Not all positions will have a full performance level of 09. Some positions will be filled with promotion potential below 09.


HOW TO APPLY:

You must complete an application package that includes an assessment questionnaire, resume, and any applicable supporting documentation.

You will be required to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload your documentation in the system called Application Manager. Initially, the Application Manager requires you to create an account. Once your account is created, Application Manager provides a site where you can track the status of jobs you have applied to at Customs and Border Protection; uploaded documentation; view/print copies of notification letters; or print a copy of your questionnaire.

Application Manager has a navigation box that appears on the left side of the screen whenever you are working on an Application Package. The items listed in the navigation box are pages you need to visit, and represent steps you need to complete, in order for your Application Package to reach the status of Complete.

You can "Save" an incomplete application and return to finish the process at a later date provided the announcement has not closed. You must submit your application package (your assessment questionnaire and documentation) before the closing date posted on the vacancy announcement.

Note:  If you start a questionnaire please complete it in its entirety before "Submitting." An incomplete questionnaire will affect your rating or may result in your application being rated ineligible. You may complete the assessment questionnaire more than once, but your rating will be based on the most recent submission.

Instructional guidance listed below:

To Start A New Assessment Questionnaire:

• Click the Apply Online button.
• Create an account and complete the Assessment Questionnaire.
• If you already have an account, log in with your User ID and Password to complete the Assessment Questionnaire.

To Save An Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire: 

• Scroll to the top or bottom of the page
• Click the "Save" button. When the page refreshes, click the "Logout" button.

To Return To A Saved/Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire:

• Click this link to Return To Application Manager: http://ApplicationManager.gov

• Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the "My Application Packages" page.
• Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number of the application that you want to complete. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status.
• Select the "Complete Application Package" button, which will take you to the assessment questionnaire. As you complete each page of the questionnaire click the "Next" button. 
• Once you have completed the assessment questionnaire the "Upload Documents" page will display. Follow the procedures outlined on the upload documents page. You will receive an "Upload Successful" acknowledgement each time you attach a document file. Once you have uploaded all of your documentation and the file is displayed in the table, select the "Next" button.
• Click the "Submit My Answers" button to complete the application package. You will receive a confirmation that your submission was successful. You have the option to view or print a copy of your assessment questionnaire and responses by clicking the View/Print My Answers link.

To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents:

If you previously uploaded documents to this vacancy, please do not fax the same documents. If you need to fax a part of your documentation:

• Click on the link below to obtain the special application cover page. http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf
• Make sure that you include the 8-character vacancy identification number LN373561. Provide your SSN, name, and address in the blocks provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application. Print your SSN and name neatly using the exact name as the one used when you filled out the assessment questionnaire. The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.

Faxed documents submitted with missing information will not be processed. The following will prevent your documents from being processed: 

• Not using the special cover page mentioned above.
• Missing, incomplete, or invalid Vacancy Identification Number
• Missing or incomplete Social Security Number or name

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

To submit the documents requested follow the options listed above. Yourresume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications must be in English and can be submitted electronically using the document upload process or faxed to the number provided. (For instructions on faxing documents, please read the section "To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents").  Please ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone and at least the last four digits of your social security number.   Your resume must contain sufficient information which shows the skills and abilities you possess which qualify you for this position.  You should provide a detailed description of your duties and the dates you performed them as well as your work schedule and salary (if applicable).  Listing just your Job Title and Series is not sufficient and will result in a determination that you do not meet the qualifications for the position. 

If you are applying for Veterans' Preference, you MUST submit the following proof of eligibility: 

• Five Point Preference:  DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) or if you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.  For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) upon separation from the military.
• Ten Point Preference:  DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) and Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference) with documentary proof as required on the SF-15.  Click this link for a copy of SF-15:  http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.  Veterans with a service-connected disability must also submit a VA letter.
• For more information about Veteran's Preference, click this link:  http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.

When submitting Veterans documents, please upload them under miscellaneous documents.

If you are applying for consideration under a priority selection program (e.g., CTAP/ICTAP) or a special appointing authority you must provide proof of eligibility.Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. For those instances where the best-qualified lists include applicants with scores less than 85, the well-qualified score becomes the lowest score on the best qualified list.

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority:

• a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) or equivalent that documents separation;
• an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated;
• an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR
• a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

If you are basing your qualifications on education, you must provide transcripts.  Education must be from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable for qualifications requirements unless it has been evaluated.  For graduates of foreign universities, the applicant must submit an evaluation for all coursework from an organization recognized as specializing in interpretation of education credentials.  For a listing of accredited agencies, please see www.naces.org/members.htm

Your application and all supporting documentation must be received at the time of application in order to be considered for referral.  Note that you will be allowed to apply more than once but the most recent application in the system will be used at the time of referral.  The final cut off for submitting your application and all supporting documentation is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the closing date of this announcement.

Submission of Supporting Documentation: You are not required to submit official documentation as part of your application package. An unofficial version will be accepted during the application process. However, if selected for this position, prior to appointment, you must provide the required official documentation listed in this announcement.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email.  The address below is for inquiries only.  If you are unable to apply on-line, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed (i.e., resume, veteran’s documentation, assessment questions and answers, and SF 50’s) is received and is accurate. If a document is not in a legible format, an applicant will not be able to view it and must again upload or fax the documentation by the closing date of the announcement.An applicant can verify that the information has been received by following the instructions below.

1. Click this link to Return to Application Manager:https://applicationmanager.gov/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fhome.aspx

2. Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the “My Application Packages” page.

3. Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number you want to view.The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status.

4. Click on the details list and click on View by the document you want to see.If prompted choose OPEN.You may have to choose a program with which to view the document, choose Adobe 6.0.

Note: In addition to completing an on-line questionnaire, a resume is required.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Staffing Team C
Phone: (612)467-7035
Fax: (478)757-3144
Email: CBP.MHC-STAFFINGTEAMC@DHS.GOV Agency Information:
CBP Minneapolis Hiring Center
BHW Fed Bldg
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4055
USA
Fax: (478)757-3144

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once you have completed the application process and submitted your answers, you will receive notification via email. (You may still need to upload supporting documentation.)  Your application will remain in the inventory of tentatively qualified applicants. You will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the selecting official each time your name is referred on a certificate for consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. If you are referred on a certificate, you will be notified of the outcome once certificates are returned.