Marine Interdiction Agent

Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those with Merchant Mariner Credentials the opportunity for a career in law enforcement working with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission protecting America.

If you are looking for an exciting and rewarding job that also provides excellent pay, exceptional federal benefits and job stability, now is the time to make your move. AMO is actively seeking applicants to fill full-time security-based positions with the nation’s largest law enforcement organization charged with maintaining the security of our national borders while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.

Salary and Benefits

Begin your career as a Marine Interdiction Agent (MIA) and make up to $92,257–108,021 per year based on your grade level qualifications plus location and overtime pay. This career ladder position has a grade level progression of GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. 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) in Caribbean Air and Marine (CAMB) locations, you may be eligible to receive a Recruitment Incentive, pending budgetary approval and per the terms outlined in agency policy. The Caribbean Incentive is 25% of an employee's annual salary.

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 (CAMB). 

Current possible duty locations include:

Southeast Region: Marathon, FL and CAMB: Saint Thomas, VI

*** Your opportunity for final selection is increased based on your flexibility to Enter on Duty (EOD) at priority duty locations. ***

Limited duty locations as of 10/1/2024 include but are not guaranteed to be available at time of offer:

Northern Region: Port Angeles and Bellingham, WA; Port Huron and Sault Ste Marie, MI; Rochester, NY

Southeast Region to include CAMB: Fajardo, Mayaguez, Ponce, and San Juan, PR.

Southwest Region: San Diego and Long Beach, CA; Brownsville, TX.

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:

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

Qualifications:

The GL-9 position has a selective factor that must be met to meet minimum qualifications:

As a minimum qualification requirement all candidates must submit a valid, legible copy of your U.S Coast Guard-issued Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), dated within the last five (5) years (or a MMLD with an accepted application status) and showing expiration date and capacity pages, at the time of application. Qualifying capacities include: 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).

In addition to the above mandatory Merchant Marine Credentials requirement, you qualify for the MIA GL-9 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower MIA grade level, performing duties such as:

• Enforce laws, effecting arrests, and conduct interviews and interrogations with witnesses and suspects
• Performing surveillance, writing reports detailing activities and observations
• Collecting and securing evidence and providing expert testimony in court

OR Education: A master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two (2) full years of graduate education in a qualifying progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a J.D. or LL.B., in a qualifying field (e.g., criminal justice, intelligence, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, and corrections and rehabilitation).

OR a Combination of 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. If education is used for your qualification, official transcript will be re

quired upon selection.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if, in addition to meeting the requirements for the GL-9 level, you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Independently applies advanced skill in controlling/commanding law enforcement scenes to include conducting searches, making arrests, processing arrests and seizure of evidence and property.
• Conducts investigative inquiries using various techniques, examining files and records, physical and documentary evidence to identify logical conclusions.
• Utilizes 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.
• Assists government or state attorneys in preparation for court cases or grand juries, testifies as a law enforcement officer in court proceedings, and administrative forums.

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 Restriction: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to theMarine Interdiction 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).

Veterans’ Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.

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 page. For Position of Interest select Air and Marine Operations (Marine Interdiction Agent), then complete the pre-screening questions. You’ll receive monthly emails with information about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with AMO and CBP.

You will then be provided with links to the 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.