Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USBP Headquarters, Mission Support Directorate, Office of the Executive Director located in Washington, DC.

Duties

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As a Special Assistant, you will be responsible for performing accountable and varied duties that encompass the full range of DHS, CBP, and USBP programs and initiatives.

This position starts at a salary of $143,913.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $187,093.00 (GS-14, Step 10)

Your duties will include:

• Providing advice and guidance on undefined issues and elements for programs essential to CBP's mission, such as major programs of national scope and impact.
• Reviewing, analyzing, and providing guidance and recommendations on sensitive information, confidential and wide-ranging policy matters impacting the Agency, as well as internal disciplinary and grievance issues that are presented to the SES.
• Recommending long-range program plans, goals, objectives, and milestones, which serve as the basis for substantive changes in the organization and administration of programs affecting large numbers of people, and that advance the SES's vision and priorities.
• Serving as a focal point and personal liaison to the SES to develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders within CBP, Federal Government, State, Local, and Tribal Governments, and Private Industry.
• Operating as a resource person and problem solver to management and providing expert advice involving a variety of mission issues to the senior leadership within the Directorate.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Serving as the SES's focal point and personal liaison with senior officials across CBP, other federal agencies, state/local/tribal governments, and private-sector partners to advance key USBP and CBP initiatives;
• Leading teams and/or projects to redesign, automate, or re-engineer office processes and recommending and implementing improvements that increase efficiency or responsiveness of services provided by the directorate;
• Analyzing projects, issues, and programs impacting USBP and developing sound recommendations to resolve problems, mitigate conflicts, or enhance achievement of CBP's mission and priorities;
• Attending and participating in sensitive operational briefings, assessing implications of USBP's operational posture, and advising the SES on recommended responses to requests for information;
• Researching, drafting, and editing high-level written materials-including reports, briefings, correspondence, memoranda, and emails-to provide guidance on complex program issues and advance USBP-wide initiatives and priorities.

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 07/29/2026.

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.

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

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.