MISSION SUPPORT SPECIALIST (FINANCE)

Full Job Description

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

Border Patrol, Spokane Sector, Mission Readiness Operations in Spokane, WA. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement.

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

Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Assisting with the development and execution of an office or program budget by tracking obligations and expenditures, compiling historical spending data, and preparing routine funding estimates or status-of-funds reports; Processing basic procurement actions (e.g., purchase requests, requisitions, government purchase card transactions) by verifying fund availability, entering data into automated systems, and ensuring compliance with established regulations and local procedures; Preparing and reviewing standard travel authorizations and vouchers, assisting employees with routine travel and travel card questions, and reconciling transactions in accordance with applicable travel policies; Compiling, organizing, and analyzing financial and workload data in spreadsheets or databases to identify variances, support trend analysis, and provide information for management reports or briefings; Applying established organizational financial and administrative policies and procedures to resolve routine issues, recommend straightforward process improvements, and carry out assigned projects with regular supervisory guidance.

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: Formulating, developing, and executing operating budgets by analyzing historical, current, and projected spending, managing multiple appropriations, and recommending funding or reprogramming strategies to meet mission requirements; Managing procurement and acquisition activities, including serving as a purchase cardholder and approving official, preparing pre and post award documentation, and conducting periodic reviews to ensure all transactions comply with applicable laws, regulations, and policies; Administering the travel and travel card program as a certifier or reviewer by approving travel authorizations and vouchers, auditing travel and non travel vouchers, reconciling bank and accounting reports, and resolving complex card or travel issues; Monitoring overtime, premium pay, and related special pay categories, analyzing usage against budgetary allocations and statutory caps, and advising management on necessary controls or adjustments to remain within established limits; Providing technical guidance, mentoring, and training to peers, supervisors, and other staff on budget, procurement, and travel processes; preparing reports and briefings for senior leadership; and leading or coordinating projects to improve financial and administrative operations.

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.

Education Substitution: GS-11: Successful completion of 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree from an accredited college or university, a doctoral degree and or LL.M., if related, may substitute for the experience required at this level.

This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. 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-12: No education substitution at the GS-12 grade level.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages.

The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.

Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11.

More information on this qualification standard is located here 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 by 03/30/2026.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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 Major Duties:

In this position, you will plan, execute, and analyze the Division's budget, procurement, and travel programs, providing comprehensive financial and administrative support to Mission Readiness Operations.

By ensuring sound financial planning, oversight, and compliance, this position enables U.S.

Border Patrol units to secure and manage resources critical to effective frontline border security and accomplishment of DHS mission objectives.

This position starts at a salary of $75,068.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $116,969.00 (GS-12, Step 10) with promotion potential to $116,969.00 (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.

As a Mission Support Specialist (Finance), you will provide expert technical guidance and analysis to ensure resources are planned, obligated, and managed in alignment with U.S.

Border Patrol operational requirements.

Typical duties will include: Formulating, developing, and executing the Division's budget, applying relevant laws, policies, and analytical methods to ensure compliance and resolve financial and procedural issues.

Managing procurement actions and acquisition support, including preparing requisitions and purchase orders, serving as a purchase cardholder and approving official, and reviewing transactions for adherence to agency policy.

Overseeing the travel program and travel card activities by certifying or reviewing travel authorizations and vouchers, assisting travelers, auditing transactions, and reconciling accounts in accordance with applicable regulations.

Monitoring expenditures, overtime, special pay authorities, and other financial commitments across multiple appropriations, analyzing spending trends, and providing guidance and recommendations to managers on funding needs and adjustments.

Providing mentoring, training, and technical advice to peers, supervisors, and other staff on budget, procurement, and travel processes, and preparing reports and briefings to inform management decisions.