Supervisory Import Specialist (CDI)
Customs and Border Protection
Posted: April 7, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Customs and Border Protection
Department of Homeland Security
Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Salary
$106,437 - $138,370
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Management & Supervision jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves supervising customs entry processes, including reviewing import documents, classifying goods, applying trade laws, and training others on these topics at a federal training academy.
It's a leadership role focused on ensuring compliance with import regulations and handling penalties for violations.
A good fit would be someone with experience in customs or trade enforcement who enjoys teaching and analyzing complex regulations.
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, Office of Training and Development, Trade and Cargo Academy, located in Charleston, SC.
Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Recommending and initiating monetary penalties and or sanctions.
Determining of rates of duty, classification of merchandise, and entry requirements. Conducting training related to the importation of goods and classification of merchandise.
Analyzing customs documents and applying customs laws, regulations, and procedures; interpreting customs requirements.
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 04/13/2026.
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. Major Duties:
In this Supervisory Customs Entry Officer (CDI) position, you will become a key member of a team of homeland security professionals responsible for a wide range of admissibility and control requirements.
This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $138,370.00 (GS-13 Step 10).
Major duties: Designing, developing, reviewing, researching, revising, evaluating, and conducting basic, advanced or continuing education training programs to meet CBP training objectives.
Providing training on the provisions of laws, regulations, procedures, practices, and documentation as related to CBP processes for customs law regarding admissibility, entry, control, importation and exportation of merchandise, revenue collection, enforcement of trade preference programs, processing and liquidation of entries, and related Trade functions.
Supervising assigned trainees and coordinating all aspects of training delivery for assigned session/class.
Establishing guidelines and performance expectations for staff members, as well as providing advice and counsel related to work and administrative matters and.
Reviewing emerging and changing subject matter to ensure timely assimilation of new information into course curricula in order to align training programs with current enforcement and facilitation trends, policies, and procedures.
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