Agriculture Specialist

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

NOW RECRUITING AGRICULTURE SPECIALISTS

 

This announcement is open for vacancies in the cities of Calexico, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, CA, as well as New York City and Newark, NJ. Vacancies are also available in the states of Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. When you register online, please choose one location where you would like to be interviewed and one location where you would be willing to work.

 

Do you want to put your scientific expertise to use while playing a critical role in fighting the war on terrorism as part of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)?  As an Agriculture Specialist, you would be trained to serve as an expert and technical consultant in the areas of inspection, intelligence, analysis, examination and law enforcement activities related to the importation of agricultural/commercial commodities and conveyances at various ports of entry. You may also plan, conduct and supervise remedial actions such as treating, disinfecting and decontaminating prohibited commodities, conveyances, contaminants or agricultural materials.

 Qualifications: You must be a U.S. citizen and meet one or more of the following primary residence criteria for the last three years prior to submitting your application for employment:

a) Resided in the United States or its protectorates or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations)

b) Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or

c) Been a dependent of a U.S. federal or military employee serving overseas.

? For all grade levels, you must have successfully completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of college coursework in biological sciences (including botany, entomology, and plant pathology), forestry, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines (e.g., ecology).You must have completed all requirements for a Bachelor?s (or higher) degree within 9 months of selection. If you have a GPA of 2.95 or higher that includes the appropriate coursework, you may qualify for a GS-7.A Master?s degree in one of the biological sciences may qualify you for a GS-9.

 

Once you have completed the online registration, you will need to submit a resume or OF-612 and a current transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable). If you are claiming veteran?s preference, you will also be asked to submit a copy of your DD-214 and supporting documents. If you meet the required qualifications, you will receive written notification of the date, time and place for your oral video-based test (VBT) within 4-6 weeks of the submission of your application package.

 

The VBT will be administered to all individuals who are determined to be basically qualified. The test takes about one half-hour and is evaluated by a team of CBP management officials. When you are administered the VBT, you will be filmed while responding to a set of videotaped scenarios. This film will be viewed and evaluated. This test is rated on a pass/fail basis. Therefore, you will need to receive a ?pass? rating to continue through the process. Successful VBT results are valid for three years. If you successfully completed the VBT within the past three (3) years, you will not be scheduled for another test.

 

Entry Level Salary Rates:

 

Los Angeles
GS-5 $31,035 GS-7 $38,443 GS-9 $47,024

New York/Newark
GS-5 $30,982 GS-7 $38,378 GS-9 $46,944

San Diego
GS-5 $30,030 GS-7 $37,198 GS-9 $45,501

San Francisco
GS-5 $32,421 GS-7 $40,160 GS-9 $49,124

Rest of United States
GS-5 $28,349 GS-7 $35,116 GS-9 $42,955

 

 

 

*  Salary rates are per annum, plus overtime and benefits.

 

The pre-employment requirements consist of a background investigation, drug test and possible medical examination. You must also successfully complete 8-12 weeks of paid training in Frederick, MD. Beyond the satisfaction of serving your country, Agriculture Specialists are rewarded with excellent pay and an outstanding federal benefits package.

 

For more information, visit our website at www.cbp.gov and click on ?Careers.?  We are an equal opportunity employer.