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Posted: February 9, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Aviation Enforcement Agent

Customs and Border Protection

Department of Homeland Security

Fresh

Location

Salary

$105,251 - $136,830

per year

Closes

February 13, 2026More CBP jobs →

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves using drones and other aviation tools to support law enforcement operations, like tracking smugglers and coordinating teams during missions to secure borders.

It's perfect for someone with experience in tactical operations, unmanned aircraft, and directing field teams in high-stakes environments.

The role requires strong integrity and the ability to pass intense security checks.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-11 level or equivalent, including aviation special operations and ground tactical aircraft control
  • Expertise in deploying small unmanned aircraft systems for tactical missions
  • Knowledge of smuggler methods, routes, and transport techniques
  • Experience directing apprehension teams of law enforcement officers
  • Ability to serve as aerial interdiction or surveillance coordinator
  • Successful completion of thorough background investigation and polygraph examination
  • Meeting Time in Grade requirements (52 weeks at GS-11 or equivalent for current federal employees)

Full Job Description

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

Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations, Unmanned Technology Operations Center, Summit Point, West Virginia.

Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Conducting complex aviation special operations incorporating Ground Tactical Aircraft Controllers.

Use and deployment of small unmanned aircraft systems and how they are incorporated into tactical missions.

Serving as an expert on latest smuggler methods, routes and means of transport.·Directing an apprehension team consisting of law enforcement officers at varying grade levels.

Performing duties of the aerial interdiction/surveillance coordinator when an aerial interdiction occurs or during a surveillance operation.

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 02/13/2026.

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 Polygraph Examination: The Aviation Enforcement Agent 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 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. Travel: Frequent and/or long term deployments may be required within the United States and abroad.

Uniforms: This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status. Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle.

A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.

Age Requirement: Provisions of Public Law 93-950 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a Primary law enforcement position with the Department of Homeland Security.

Candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 37th birthday. Creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C.

8336(c), Title 5 U.S.C 8412(d) or creditable service on or after July 6, 2008 covered by Public Law 110-161 may be applied toward the maximum age requirement.

This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

The age restriction does not apply if you are a Veteran's preference eligible.

Rigorous Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a rigorous position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS (5 CFR 842.803 and 5 CFR 831.903, Conditions for Coverage; 5 USC 8425(b) and 5 USC 8335(b), Mandatory Separation; and 5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c), Immediate Retirement).

For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link.

For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, please see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43).

If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.

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

View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

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

In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. Major Duties:

This position with Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is ideal for an skilled law enforcement agent who has significant experience with aviation enforcement operations.

This position starts at a salary of $105,251.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $136,830.00 (GS-12, Step 10). 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.

In this position you will conduct aviation law enforcement activities.

Typical work assignments include: Serving as a law enforcement officer on AMO aircraft at branches, centers and units; planning methods of surveillance and intercepting illegal activity.

Leading and coordinating activities with interagency staff, to include conducting preliminary investigations, identifying suspects, search and arrest, interrogations, and testifying in courts of law.

Operating technologically advanced systems, such as data display and transfer systems, communications systems, electro-optical systems, infrared detectors, laser systems, night vision goggles, and radars.

Collecting and analyzing intelligence data to develop comprehensive detailed intelligence reports for dissemination within and outside AMO.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/9/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: AMO-SMP(ICTAP)-12877794-HJB