CBP Agriculture Specialist

All applicants must meet the Basic Requirement in order to be considered for this position. Eligibility will be verified based on your submitted transcripts and resume. More information on this requirement can be found in the CBP Agriculture Specialist Qualification Aid and in the OPM Qualification Standards Basic Requirement for the CBP Agriculture Specialist: 1. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher) in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, animal science, plant science, pest management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR 2. Combination of Education and Experience: Completed at least 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in a qualifying field of study, as shown above, PLUS qualifying experience or additional education. To determine if you meet the combination, divide the months of qualifying experience by 48; divide the number of completed undergraduate semester hours by 120 (or 180 for undergraduate quarter hours); add the two percentages; the total must equal 100% or more. GS-7 Grade Level: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, to qualify for the GS-7 applicants must also possess one of the following: One year of graduate-level education (equivalent to 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university leading to a Master's degree in a qualifying field of study; OR A Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 scale), from an accredited college or university that includes 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in a qualifying field of study; OR One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that includes: effectively dealing with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous / tactful manner in connections with agricultural matters; researching information for reports and providing information to others; analyzing information rapidly and making prompt decisions; enforcing regulations while inspecting vessels, vehicles, aircraft and/or baggage for the presence of restricted plant materials, pests or diseases; and reviewing and analyzing passengers or commodity documents to assess the agricultural risk of their entry into the United States; OR A combination of graduate-level education which includes a qualifying field of study from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience. Divide the months of qualifying experience by 12; divide the number of completed graduate semester hours by 18 (or 27 for graduate quarter hours); add the two percentages; the total must equal 100% or more. GS-9 Grade Level: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, to qualify for the GS-9 applicants must also possess one of the following: A Master's degree or 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education from an accredited college or university that includes a major in a qualifying field of study; OR One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that includes: coordinating, planning, and executing inspection assignments, investigating violations, and preparing investigative reports and providing testimony; compiling data and preparing reports in connection with agricultural matters and inspection operations; overseeing treatments such as disinfection, sterilization, and decontamination; OR A combination of graduate-level education which includes a qualifying field of study from an accredited college or university AND specialized work experience listed above. Divide the months of qualifying experience by 12; divide the number of completed graduate semester hours by 36 (or 54 for graduate quarter hours); add the two percentages; the total must equal 100% or more. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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, and 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. Under Executive Order 14170, you will be asked four essay questions as part of your application, these will not be rated but will be viewable by the hiring manager.

Being a CBP Agriculture Specialist makes you a valuable member of CBP. Typical assignments include: Serve as a consultant in the areas of inspection, analysis, intelligence gathering, examination, and law enforcement activities regarding the importation of agricultural/commercial commodities and conveyances at ports of entry Apply laws and regulations when determining the admissibility of agriculture commodities while preventing the introduction of harmful pests, diseases, and potential agro-terrorism into the United States Participate in special enforcement, targeting or analysis teams charged with collecting and analyzing information and identifying high-risk targets Plan and conduct remedial actions such as treating, disinfecting, and decontaminating prohibited commodities, conveyances, contaminants or agricultural materials Want to speak to an actual Officer or Agent? Click here to contact one of our recruiters! They are ready to assist you from application to your start date. Salary: Selections from this announcement will be at the GS-7 or GS-9 grade levels with promotion potential to GS-11 and GS-12. Promotions are not guaranteed and are at the discretion of the agency. Your pay will be determined after you successfully complete all pre-employment processes. Pay rates are based on the 2026 OPM Salary Tables - these tables do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases. Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations: Nogales, AZ; Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, and San Ysidro, CA; Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Queens, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Brownsville, Eagle Pass, and Houston, TX. NOTE: The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States. Locations offered at the time of your final offer are based on operational and mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs for entry level Agriculture Specialists as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations. **Recruitment Incentive** Newly appointed Agriculture Specialists will be offered up to a $15,000 incentive, for a four-year service contract, in the following location: California: San Francisco If you accept San Francisco, California as your location you will be eligible for the Special Salary Rate based on the San Francisco Special Salary Rate Table CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission and core values at https://www.cbp.gov/about.