Marine Interdiction Agent – CBP

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring for law enforcement jobs that have an exciting opportunity! Once onboarded, you’ll first be assigned for up to one year to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The law enforcement component of the D.C. Task Force is a partnership of over 20 federal and local agencies working together to make D.C. the safest city in America. Once the assignment ends, you’ll transition back to support the CBP. Visit the D.C. Task Force page for more information.

Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period. Further questions regarding the Marine Interdiction Agent position can be sent to the AMO Recruiters at CBP_AMO_Recruiting@cbp.dhs.gov

Serve as a Marine Interdiction Agent (MIA) performing Marine Law Enforcement operations for the detection, prevention, interdiction, and apprehension of terrorists, terrorist weapons, and other contraband and persons from illegally entering or attacking the United States.

Your duties will include:

Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
Interpreting radar data to calculate appropriate intercept while tracking vessels and people to a successful interdiction.
Searching persons, vessels, baggage, and cargo for contraband or weapons incidental to detention or arrest.
Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence.
This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-11, GS-12 & GS-13. You may be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level automatically (without re-applying) once you complete 52-weeks at each grade level, received supervisory approval, and possess the required licensing and certifications for that grade level. It is expected that all career Journeymen obtain the full performance level of GS-13.

Licensing and certifications requirements for promotion to the next higher grade level are possession of a USCG MMC with one of the following capacities:
GS-11 (OUPV, Mate, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate, Master).
GS-12 (Master or Offshore Vessel Commander); successful completion of the Tactical Boarding Officer (TBO) course at the National Marine Training Center (NMTC).
GS-13 Master or Higher (Mate, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate) license of any tonnage or higher , 1 year of qualifying law enforcement experience AND the CBP Interceptor Vessel Commander (VC) certification with designation at the CBP National Marine Training Center (NMTC).

The compensation acronyms used below are: LEAP: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (25% Everyone)
RI: Retention Incentive (25% for Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) Locations, Key Largo, FL, Key West, FL, Marathon, FL and Long Beach, CA)
*Retention Incentive is contingent on eligibility. Eligibility will be determined by Human Resources
Recruitment Incentive:
New hires that are eligible may receive a one-time Recruitment Incentive payout of $10,000 after completing Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy (FLETC) (1 year service agreement will need to be completed) (Recruitment Incentive is only available to new Federal employees as described in 5 CFR 575.102. Eligibility will be determined by Human Resources.)

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our CAMB and subordinates new-hire locations (RUS + LEAP + 25% Retention Incentive after one year of service).
GS-11 1st year annual pay – $105,931
GS-12 2nd or 3rd year annual pay – $137,977
GS-13 3rd year of annual pay – $164,075

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our Key West, Key Largo and Marathon, FL new-hire locations (Locality Salary Table + LEAP)
GS-11 1st year annual pay – $112,168
GS-12 2nd or 3rd year annual pay – $146,946
GS-13 3rd year of annual pay – $174,739

Example annual compensation for the first three years at our Long Beach, CA new-hire locations (Locality Salary Table + LEAP + 25% Retention Incentive after one year of service)
GS-11 1st year annual pay – $121,840
GS-12 2nd or 3rd year annual pay – $160,859
GS-13 3rd year of annual pay – $191,284

This career ladder position has a grade level progression of GS-11, GS-12 and GS-13. You may be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level automatically (without re-applying) once you complete 52-weeks at each grade level (with supervisor approval) and any additional training, licensing, and certification requirements.

Agents are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k) offering.

Recruitment Incentive (RI): Upon Entrance on Duty (EOD), you may be eligible to receive a Recruitment Incentive

• LEAP: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (25% Everyone)
• RI: Retention Incentive (25% for Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB) Locations, Key Largo, FL, Key West, FL, Marathon, FL and Long Beach, CA)

*Retention Incentive is contingent on eligibility. Eligibility will be determined by Human Resources

Duty Locations

A duty location will be offered after successful completion of the pre-employment process. The duty location listed in the final offer letter may include any geographic location within the Southwest Region, Southeast Region or Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

Note: Your opportunity for final selection is increased based on your flexibility to Enter on Duty at priority duty location.

Current possible duty locations include:

Southeast Region: Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Marathon, FL and CAMB: Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce, and San Juan PR; and Saint Thomas, VI

Northern Region: Bellingham, WA

Limited Duty Locations as of – 12/1/2025 Applying to this JOA does not guarantee any of the locations listed below will still be available once you’ve completed the pre-employment process. Locations are offered based on the current needs of the service at that time.

Northern Region: Port Huron, MI

Southeast Region: Houma, LA

Southwest Region: San Diego, CA

 

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Marine Interdiction Agent, you will perform marine-based law enforcement operations for the detection, prevention, interdiction, and apprehension of terrorists, terrorist weapons, and other contraband and persons from illegally entering or attacking the United States. Typical duties may include:

• Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
• Interpreting radar data to calculate appropriate intercept while tracking vessels and people to a successful interdiction.
• Searching persons, vessels, baggage, and cargo for contraband or weapons incidental to detention or arrest.
• Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence.

 

Qualifications

This GS-11 grade level position has a selective factor: As a minimum qualification requirement all candidates must have a qualifying Merchant Mariner Credential. See the U.S. Coast Guard Issued Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) section that is listed below for qualifying capacities.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Independently applying advanced skill in controlling/commanding law enforcement scenes to include conducting searches, making arrests, processing arrests and seizure of evidence and property.
• Conducting investigative inquiries using various techniques, examining files and records, physical and documentary evidence to identify logical conclusions.
• Utilizing cameras and other electronic high-tech surveillance equipment to gather evidence, collect, evaluate, and then preserve that physical and documentary evidence.
• Highly skilled in writing comprehensive arrest, criminal and incident reports.
• Assisting government or state attorneys in preparation for court cases or grand juries, testifies as a law enforcement officer in court proceedings, and administrative forums.
• Considerable experience applying arrest authorities and constitutional law in various alleged criminal situations, or knowledge and experience of CBP laws, regulations, policies, legal precedent.

OR GS-11 Education Substitution for experience: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M.

OR Combining Experience and Education: A combination of successfully completed post-bachelors’ education (above) and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

AND U.S. Coast Guard Issued Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC): You must submit a valid, legible copy of your Merchant Mariner Credential at time of application. Your copies must include the expiration and capacity pages of your MMC.

• Qualifying Capacities are Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV), Mate of 200 gross tons or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans), Chief Mate, Second Mate, and Third Mate Unlimited Oceans or Master of 25 GRT or greater (Inland, Great Lakes, Near Coastal or Oceans)
• OR An Accepted MMLD Application: You must submit proof an accepted MMLD application, for a MMC with a qualifying capacity, and a credential status that is in a positive standing. It cannot be pending additional information for MMLD application process. You must have your Official MMC Credential in hand at the time of scheduling and at assessment appointment.

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.

Other Requirements

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

AGE WAIVER: Creditable law enforcement officer service – Covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) (as a Customs and Border Protection Officer) on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans’ Preference Eligibility – To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its decision Isabella v. Dept of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veterans’ preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. 3312. You must submit proof of Veteran’s Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.

Training: This position has a training requirement. 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.

Travel Required: You may be expected to travel for this position based on operational needs.

 

How to Apply

Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network registration page. For Position of Interest select Air and Marine Operations (Marine Interdiction Agent (MIA)), then complete the pre-screening questions.

You’ll then receive a link(s) to the MIA Job Opening Announcements (JOAs) on USAJOBS, the federal government’s official employment site, to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opening announcement and follow all instructions in the application process.

As a subscriber to the CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails with information about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with AMO and CBP.