Fresh Listing

Posted: February 23, 2026 (0 days ago)

This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.

Student Trainee (Intelligence)

Customs and Border Protection

Department of Homeland Security

Fresh

Salary

$46,610 - $91,815

per year

Closes

February 27, 2026More CBP jobs →

GS-5 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.

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

Job Description

Summary

This entry-level trainee position involves supporting intelligence and targeting operations at the U.S.

Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center, helping to counter networks related to border security threats.

It's designed for current college students pursuing degrees in fields like business or public administration, offering hands-on experience in a federal law enforcement setting.

A good fit would be a motivated student with strong academic performance, interest in national security, and eligibility for U.S. government internships.

Key Requirements

  • Currently enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college, university, or equivalent educational program on at least a half-time basis
  • For GS-05: Completion of 4 full years of post-high school study (120 semester hours) toward a bachelor's degree
  • For GS-07: 1 year of graduate education, or bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (GPA 3.0+, class standing, or honor society)
  • For GS-09: 2 years of graduate education or a master's degree in business administration, public administration, or related fields
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to pass a thorough background investigation, including checks for criminal history and drug use
  • Residency in the U.S. or its territories for at least 3 of the last 5 years
  • No recent political appointee status that requires disclosure

Full Job Description

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

Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operation, National Targeting Center, Counter Network Divisions in Sterling, VA.

You must be a student who has been accepted for enrollment or who is currently enrolled and seeking a degree on a full or half-time basis in one of the federally administered, organized educational programs or accredited educational institutions below such as a public or private high school; state-approved home school; technical or vocational school; two (2) year or four (4) year college or university; graduate or professional school; a registered apprenticeship program, job corps or postsecondary home school curriculum.

Review Pathways Interns for additional eligibility information AND: GS-05: Completed 4 full academic years of post-high school study leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Four years of full-time academic study is defined as 120 semester house, 180 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university.

GS-07: Completed 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or successfully completed all the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and claim eligibility for superior academic achievement (SAA) based based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits.

Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision.

Please see www.opm.gov for additional information. GS: 09: Completed 2 academic years of graduate level education, or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

Graduate Education: This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position.

A course of study in business administration, public administration, or related fields is qualifying. 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 You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 02/27/2026.

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 Schedules: Positions can be filled on full-time and part-time basis. Part-time schedules are typically 16 to 32 hours per administrative workweek, prearranged on a scheduled tour of duty.

Trial Period: The first two years served under the Internship Program counts as the participant's trial period.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement: Pathways students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate studies or lower program, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for a master's program or higher program.

Major Duties:

The Pathways Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed.

Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent position in the civil service.

This position starts at a salary of $46,610.00 (GS-05, Step 1) to $91,815.00 (GS-09, Step 10).

Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.

Your promotion potential will ultimately be determined by your qualifications and will be initiated at management's discretion.

Typical duties may include: Conducting routing planning, direction, and collection tasks, making preliminary analyses and recommend collection sources Contributing to planning, researching, and analyzing threats to border security Assisting with intelligence plans, conducting research and analysis, and developing standard intelligence planning documents Assisting in collecting intelligence across CBP capabilities and disciplines

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

Browse Similar Jobs

Posted on USAJOBS: 2/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/23/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: OFO-DE(INT)-12885452-PKL