CBP Attache

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of International Affairs, located in: Brasilia, Brazil Cairo, Egypt Panama City, Panama Seoul, South Korea The Hague, Netherlands Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

• This position represents CBP with foreign government, international law enforcement agencies and representatives of other U.S. Federal agencies assigned overseas. In addition, this position is responsible for the overall planning, organization, administration, and coordination of CBP activities and functions throughout the assigned area of responsibility. This position starts at a salary of $126,384.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $164,301.00 (GS-15, Step 10) Does not include Cost of Living Allowance and Post (Hardship) Differential rate, see this link for current rates. Typical duties include: Exercising overall responsibility for the planning, directing, managing, and organization of CBP operations and functions in assigned overseas area of responsibility. Establishing and maintaining working relationships with U.S, Embassy and foreign government officials to develop proposals, project plans, initiatives and programs that support U.S. Government and CBP international goals and priorities. Providing technical assistance and training to the host country in border security and customs operations, developing cooperative agreements, and participating in international organizations. Serving as liaison between CBP and the designated authorities of foreign governments in the assigned AOR on matters arising under the administration of reciprocal treaties; representing CBP in negotiations with foreign representatives in the settlement of specific controversies of law enforcement operations impacting the agency. Evaluating and analyzing information and intelligence received from a variety of sources to provide expert advice and comprehensive recommendations to U.S. Federal agencies and appropriate foreign government officials. 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. 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, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about To learn more about CBP's Office of International Affairs, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/international-initiatives or visit us on X/Twitter: @CBPIntlAffairs Relocation expenses will be paid in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation limits and agency policy. Temporary/Rotational Assignment: To meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a temporary basis not-to-exceed 3 years, with possible extension(s) for an additional 2 years in 1-year increments, for a maximum of five years. Based on applicable laws and regulations, you may be returned, at any time, to the position from which temporarily promoted, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay. If you are currently a permanent GS,-15, you will be laterally reassigned into this position and may be returned upon completion of the assignment or at any time it is determined that there is no longer an Agency need for this assignment, to the position held prior to this NTE assignment or to a similar permanent position. Return to your original location will be prioritized but is not guaranteed. Applicants who currently hold a permanent position at the advertised grade level will be referred for consideration through an alternative method. Retirement: This position is being filled on a not-to-exceed (NTE) temporary assignment; therefore, in the event the incumbent becomes eligible for retirement and chooses to retire, the incumbent will be returned to the home office of record at least two full pay periods prior to retirement. The incumbent will not be eligible to retire while serving on a NTE assignment in Office of International Affairs. Transportation of Household Effects and Related Expenses: A. Maximum weight of household goods and personal effects, which may be transported or stored at the Governments expense, shall not exceed 18,000 pounds net weight for all employees. B. The transportation of household goods must be accomplished using a Government Bill of Lading. This includes transfers either to or from a foreign post of duty. C. Allowance for Transportation and Accessories Service - The actual cost of transportation of household goods and personal effects, including the packing and crating of materials, lift vans, or other temporary containers with the weights prescribed in the previous paragraph, will be allowed at the Governments expense. D. Temporary Storage of Household Goods - Temporary storage incident to the transportation of household goods is allowable for a period of up to 90 days.

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: Planning, directing, managing, and organizing all aspects of operations of a major program. Collaborating with host nations, foreign counterparts or other stakeholders on developing plans that represent CBP priorities abroad. Applying CBP laws, policies, and procedures related to law enforcement operations to border security operations, cargo, and/or international trade regulations. Consolidating facts, events, and other types of intelligence or investigative material for sharing critical information or for application in the detection, apprehension, and/or prosecution of criminal activity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to highlight any and all operational, international, language, and regional experience prominently on their resume. 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 09/09/2026. 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. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers 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 Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. WHERE WILL POSITIONS BE FILLED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT? You will be asked to identify your duty location preferences during the on-line application process. In some cases, the duty stations may not have a current vacancy during the life of this announcement. Applicants should still indicate every location they wish to be considered for. Foreign Transfer Allowance - The foreign transfer allowance is divided into two separate allowances. These allowances are payable as follows: A. Miscellaneous Expense Allowance - This allowance is intended to assist you with certain extraordinary costs in connection with establishing residence quarters at the foreign post of duty. An amount of $750 for a single employee and $1500 for an employee with a family may be granted without any receipt or itemizing required. This allowance is not paid to employees who are returning to the United States for separation. B. Subsistence Expenses Allowance - A subsistence expense allowance applicable to lodging, meals (including tips), laundry, cleaning and pressing expenses in temporary quarters for you and each member of your family for up to 10 days before final departure from a post in the United States to a foreign post of duty. Expenses of local transportation are not allowable. Temporary Lodging Allowance: A temporary lodging allowance is a tax-free quarters allowance, which is granted to you for the reasonable cost of temporary quarters, which are incurred by you and your family for a period not to exceed (1) 60 days after first arrival at a new foreign post of duty, or a period ending with the occupation of permanent quarters, if earlier; and (2) 30 days immediately preceding final departure from the foreign post of duty subsequent to the necessary vacating of residence quarters.

Requirements

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 CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures. As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Financial Disclosure is required. Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit. Return Rights: No later than 365 days prior to the completion of your tour at a foreign post of duty, you will have 60 days to submit a prioritized list of up to five duty locations, to which you prefer to be reassigned, to the Human Capital Division, Overseas Support Branch. This list may contain field or Headquarters duty locations , or a combination of both. If no vacancies are available in the preferred locations you requested, you will be returned to your original duty location held prior to this assignment or to a similar position of equivalent grade and pay.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. This position is being announced under multiple job series. Please visit USAJOBS - Job Announcement to apply to the GS-1895. Please visit USAJOBS - Job Announcement to apply to the GS-1896.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/09/2026 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement 09/09/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Action of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future application you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: USA Hire Assessments. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on How to See your Application and Job Status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 09/09/2026. Do not submit documents as a PDF Portfolios. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information visit, DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to [email protected]. View common definitions of terms in this announcement.