Mission Support Specialist
Customs and Border Protection
Posted: January 12, 2026 (3 days ago)
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Customs and Border Protection
Department of Homeland Security
Base salary range: $37,764 - $49,094
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-5. Bachelor's degree + some experience.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job is an administrative support role in the U.S.
Border Patrol headquarters in Laredo, Texas, where you'll handle tasks like answering calls, managing mail and supplies, and preparing reports to keep operations running smoothly.
It's ideal for someone with one year of office experience who is organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable using basic computer systems in a government setting.
The position supports border security efforts and requires passing a background check.
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S.
Border Patrol, Laredo Sector, Laredo Sector Headquarters, located in Laredo, TX.
Experience GS-06: You qualify for the GS-06 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Answering routine questions and directing callers to appropriate staff.
Sorting and routing correspondence and other materials to appropriate offices and/or individuals. Monitoring inventory of office supplies and ordering when necessary.
Experience GS-07: You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Utilizing automated systems to search various government and open market sources for information on purchasing products and/or services.
Reviewing training requests and confirming funding approval and proper distribution.
Preparing workload and productivity reports, evaluate areas for process improvements, and determine root causes for problems.
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 01/16/2026.
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:
This position starts at a salary of $47,166.00 (GS-06, Step 1) to $68,138.00 (GS-07, Step 10) with promotion potential to $68,138.00 (GS-7 Step 10).
As a Mission Support Assistant, you will use your knowledge and experience providing clerical support and assistance in support of the missions and functions of the agency at an assigned Border Patrol station.
Typical duties and responsibilities include: Performing office support tasks, including greeting visitors, processing mail, answering phones and directing calls to appropriate staff.
Assisting in developing new methods for automating administrative reports.
Providing broad assistance to other mission support personnel to include procurement of routine equipment and services, preparing purchase orders, assisting in identifying potential suppliers, and coordinating as needed.
Providing advice and guidance to USBP sector employees and managers on various policy and procedural aspects of personnel/payroll processing, budget, travel, worker's compensation, logistics, and administrative programs.
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.
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