Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings Directorate, National Commodity Specialist Division located in New York, NY.

Duties

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This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible in order to receive consideration.

As a Supervisory Import Specialist, you will serve as a Branch Chief supervising National Import Specialists (NIS) and NIS Associates, providing advice and recommendations to Division and Regulations & Rulings/Office of Trade management on long-range planning, major program changes, and changing resource requirements. This position starts at a salary of $174,347.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $197,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10).

Major Duties Include:

• Reviewing proposed rulings, decisions, projects, and other work of the Branch to assess any possible trade policy implications and to ensure accuracy and consistency with the general legal principles of tariff classification and uniformity of approach within the Branch.
• Managing and directing National CBP Programs and Modules, as assigned by the Division Director, NCSD, that affect the success of achieving nationwide uniformity. This includes managing significant computer systems and modules such as the Quality and Uniformity Information Control System (QUICS) to ensure that actions taken are in support of the goals and objectives of CBP.
• Planning the work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting, and adjusting short-term priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work in the Branch. Assigning work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees.
• Identifying employee developmental needs and providing or arranging for training (formal and on-the-job) to maintain and improve job performance while encouraging self-development.

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
• Financial Disclosure is required.
• Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-15 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 an agency level (or equivalent) technical expert on importation policy by reviewing Federal laws and regulations, procedures, practices, and documentation requirements for admittance into the USA and into commerce that are related to customs processes.
• Representing the organization as a recognized authority on importation programs in conferences, meetings, and presentations involving issues of international trade, preparing reports on complex and sensitive matters.
• Assisting in the formulation of new and more complex statistical suffixes required to serve the needs of private industry or government agencies in regard to U.S. Tariff schedules, and classification pertaining to imports.
• Using various computer software products to use the automated systems available for communications, research and for accessing various CBP databases to retrieve information.
• Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and documentation that govern the importation of products related to customs processes for entry and examination of imports.

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

Training: You may be required to attend and successfully complete seven (7) weeks of Import Specialist training at the Field Office Training Academy in Charleston, SC. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

Trial Period: You may be required to serve a trial period of 2 years.

Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18-month probationary period upon appointment.

Leadership Training: All newly appointed GS-15s are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 5 weeks of in-residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

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.