Assistant Center Director

Full Job Description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S.

Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Agriculture and Prepared Products Center for Excellence and Expertise.

This position is location negotiable to one of the following locations: Miami, FL Newark, NJ Laredo, TX Buffalo, NY Portland, ME Pharr, TX Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Supervising, managing, or directing trade operational programs (e.g., port director, special agent in charge, district director, regional manager, supervisory inspector, etc.).

Interpreting and applying CBP laws, regulations, and precedents, as well as Office of Field Operations policies and procedures concerning the import and export of merchandise and cargo to the U.S.

(including characteristics of items imported/exported to determine or verify classification, value, and property of transport).

Processing and controlling operations for merchandise/cargo along with managing regulatory requirements of multiple existing trade laws and legislation.

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 03/13/2026.

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 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.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible.

View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. Major Duties:

The Assistant Center Director supervises and provides strategic, technical, and operational direction to one or more of the divisions within the Center and is involved in the development and implementation of national trade policy and national processing strategies unique to the incumbent's assigned aspects (Trade Operations, Revenue, or Industry, Outreach and Collaboration of the unique industry/industries assigned to the Center, thereby increasing business certainty for the industry partners.

This position starts at a salary of $125,776.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

The Assistant Center Director is responsible for managing national strategic trade activities to accomplish the CBP trade mission, to include revenue collection, summary review and validation processes, and trade enforcement actions associated with the importation and exportation of merchandise involved in international trade.

Typical work assignments include: Directing the national trade policy and national trade program functions of CBP by administering account-based principles, providing uniformity and clarity for the development of CBP's national trade strategy.

Overseeing and interpreting the laws and regulations pertaining to a broad range of federal, state and local agencies, relating to trade compliance.

Directing and providing guidance for effective enforcement actions and tactical operations to sustain a secure import process focusing on national priority trade issues such as intellectual property rights, revenue, and health and safety violations.

Coordinating with senior level law enforcement managers both internal and external to the agency to manage and approve significant enforcement actions, including criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Planning, and executing in a timely manner all trade program activity pertaining to an assigned industry, including development and assignment of goals and objectives for supervisors of subordinate employees.

Resolving conflicts with the importing public that cannot be resolved by subordinate supervisors.

Considering requirements of laws, regulations and procedures, facts surrounding a particular situation, intent of rules discussed, and local/national priorities in determining a course of action.

Ensuring full and proper use of all available automated systems including the Advanced Targeting System (ATS), Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Automated Commercial System (ACS).

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table.

Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.