Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Baltimore Field Office, Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) Staff, located in Baltimore, Maryland, Dulles Airport, Virginia, or Norfolk, Virginia.

Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

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Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to provide legal support of those executing the law enforcement duties.

This position starts at a salary of $125,776.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS-14, Step 10).

Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

In this Supervisory Paralegal Specialist position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals serving in the capacity as a principal advisor to, and staff member of the Division Director who oversees CBP's penalties, seizures and liquidated damages programs. Typical work assignments include:

• Reviewing and processing all cases within their area of authority through to final adjudication and solution.
• Performing and directing administrative and operational work of the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) and Seized Property programs.
• Developing and implementing procedures, which promote efficiency and program effectiveness.
• Performing inspections, audits, and oversight.
• Serving as a mentor to other officers by providing complex technical, legal, and administrative direction to ensure compliance with national policy, laws and regulations.

Requirements

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Qualifications

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: 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:

• Developing and evaluating all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to a particular case.
• Making determinations, decisions, and recommendations within the requirements of the laws and regulations.
• Receiving, examining, and evaluating petitions filed by individuals, attorneys, corporations or other legal entities seeking relief from seizures, penalties, fines, and liquidated damages.
• Preparing and issuing decisions on cases and preparing recommendations for granting or denying additional relief.
• Providing technical and administrative advice and guidance to subordinates.

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 08/19/2026.

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.

Education

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

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

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

Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP Supervisors 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 SLT 3-weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.

Communication Device: Incumbent is required to carry an electronic communication device.

Drug Testing: Position is a designated testing position.

Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete the following paid training:

• Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Basic Training; 3 weeks, Charleston, SC
• Custody and Management of Seized Property Alternate Class; 2 weeks, Charleston, SC
• Designated Agency Representative: Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture webinar

You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.

Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations.

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.