Supervisory Import Specialist

About the opportunity

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is seeking a Supervisory Import Specialist for the Office of Field Operations, Centers for Excellence and Expertise. In this role, you will direct and coordinate administrative operations for a team tasked with enforcing statutory, regulatory, and treaty requirements. You will ensure a uniform approach within your assigned industry, making nationwide and account-based determinations on merchandise admissibility and other import-related decisions. The position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive federal benefits package, with physical placement at one of several selected duty locations including Nogales, Long Beach, New Orleans, Portland, Newark, or Middleburg Heights.

Salary and benefits

• Annual salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10), adjusted for locality pay or cost of living.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance.
• Federal retirement plan and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with matching contributions.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Personal leave days and paid federal holidays.
• Potential benefits including flexible work schedules, tuition reimbursement, transportation subsidies, uniform allowance, and health/wellness programs.
• Disabled veteran leave for eligible veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability rating.

Who can apply?

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must have physically resided in the U.S. or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years (exceptions/waivers available for specific government, military, study abroad, or contractor roles).
• Must possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level (e.g., resolving complex import assignments, interpreting federal laws, analyzing operational trends).
• Must meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade) by September 11, 2026.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must pass a background investigation and comply with DHS drug testing procedures.
• Must achieve a passing score on the 90-minute online General Supervisor Test Battery.

Required documents

• A detailed resume in English (maximum of two pages) containing full legal name, phone number, and detailed work history with dates (MM/DD/YY), hours worked per week, job title, series, grade, and salary.
• Completed online job questionnaire.
• Most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for current or former federal employees showing competitive status and time-in-grade compliance.
• CTAP documentation (separation notice, SF-50, performance rating, etc.) if claiming special priority selection rights.
• Initial and termination SF-50s for current or former political appointees.

When to apply

• Applications must be submitted by September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
• The open period may be extended to ensure a sufficient applicant pool.

How to apply

• Click 'Apply Online' on the USAJOBS portal to log in or create an account.
• Complete the online assessment questionnaire and upload your resume (PDF format recommended, maximum 2 pages) and all required supporting documents.
• Submit the application packet by the deadline of September 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
• Complete the mandatory 90-minute online General Supervisor Test Battery (covering Managerial Writing and Critical Thinking) when contacted via email by Talogy.

Additional information

• Duty locations include Nogales (AZ), Long Beach (CA), New Orleans (LA), Portland (ME), Newark (NJ), and Middleburg Heights (OH).
• Newly appointed supervisors must complete mandatory leadership training within the first 90 days, including 3 weeks of in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV.
• Selected candidates may be required to complete 7 weeks of Import Specialist training in Charleston, SC.
• A supervisory probationary period of 18 months and/or a general probationary period of 1 year may be required.
• CBP has the authority to conduct a polygraph exam, though it is not currently a pre-employment requirement.