Pilot—CBP Air Interdiction Agent

Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), offers skilled Pilots interested in law enforcement an opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission to protect America.

If you are looking for an exciting and rewarding career with excellent pay, exceptional federal benefits and job stability, now is the time to make your move: become an Air Interdiction Agent. AMO is actively recruiting for these full-time security-based opportunities with a streamlined application process. Notably, seasoned pilots and those with military training are in demand–APPLY TODAY!

WAIVED: The “100 flight hours in the last 12 months” qualification requirement has been waived.

Salary and Benefits

Begin your career as an Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) and make up to $104,000–125,000 per year based on your GS-11 grade level qualifications plus location and overtime pay. 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). 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.

Duty Locations

Locations offered based on operational requirements, mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs as determined by AMO. The duty location listed in a final offer letter may include any geographic location within the Southeast Border Region, Caribbean Air and Marine Branch (CAMB), Southwest Border Region, and National Air Security Operation Centers (NASOC) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) locations. You must be willing to work at any duty location within the region you select to include but not limited to the following: 

Southeast Region: Homestead, FL and CAMB: Aguadilla, PR

Southwest Region: Tucson and Yuma, AZ; San Diego, CA; El Paso, Laredo, and McAllen, TX

NASOC UAS locations: Sierra Vista, AZ; San Angelo, TX

You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

As an Air Interdiction Agent (AIA) you will perform aviation-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 include:

• Conducting air patrol, surveillance, and pursuit activities related to the interdiction of smuggled contraband via land vehicles, aircraft, or vessels.
• Monitoring behavior patterns and activities of suspect persons, vehicles, or vessels believed to be engaged in illegal activities.
• Collecting, refining, and analyzing strategic and tactical intelligence.
• Searching persons, vessels, baggage, and cargo for contraband or weapons incidental to detention or arrest.

Qualifications

Experience: 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:

• Flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed.
• Evaluating information rapidly and making judicious decisions promptly during in-flight operations.
• Developing strategies and coordinating aircraft and ground assets.
• Using information systems and databases to conduct information surveys, queries, update files and disseminate information.
• Experience may include Operation of an aircraft as Captain, Pilot in Command, Aircraft Commander, First Officer, Certified Flight Instructor, Second in Command, or Co-pilot.

Hiring Minimums: Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 flight hours; (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours; see Required Documents in the job announcement regarding the Flight Hour Waiver).

A current FAA Commercial or ATP Pilot Certification with one of the following ratings:

• Dual Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument rating AND Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating.
• Airplane Rated: Airplane (Single-engine land or multi-engine land) with instrument.
• Helicopter Rated: Rotorcraft Helicopter with instrument rating.
• Equivalent military rating of the above at the time of application (eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot).

250 Pilot-in-Command hours; 75 Instrument hours; 75 Night hours (Flight Hour Waiver available, see Required Documents); and 100 Flight hours in the last 12 months–TEMPORARILY WAIVED THRU AUGUST 1, 2024. All other flight hours requirements listed remain in effect.

FAA Class I medical required for assessment dated within last 12 calendar months; FAA Class II medical will qualify. It must be dated within the last 12 calendar months. However, at the time of your Flight Assessment you MUST present a FAA 1st Class Medical Certificate dated within the previous 12 calendar months.

Apply at 750 hours total time - Applicants applying at 750 flight hours are required to obtain at least 1,000 flight hours (depending on the number of hours approved for a waiver) at their own expense before being able to attend the 3-part flight assessment. Applicant must still meet 250 Pilot-in-Command, 75 instrument, 75-night hours and 100 flight hours in the last 12 months.

UAS Flight Hours: Applicants may include UAS Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) flight hours and Predator A (MQ-1), Predator B (MQ-9) or predator based variant flight hours. These hours may be credited towards satisfying the "Total flight time" 1,500 flight hour requirement only. UAS hours do not count towards the 250 flight hours as a Pilot in Command, 75 flight hours Instrument, and 75 flight hours Night. Flight hour logbooks will be required at the time of your Flight Assessment for verification.

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: Age Restriction: Provisions of Public Laws 93-350 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with DHS Management Directive 251-03, the "day before an individual's 37th birthday" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a primary law enforcement officer within DHS. The age requirement is also necessary to ensure that you are able to complete the 20 years of applicable service for retirement.

NOTE: The Commissioner of CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age to 40 for original placement into an Air Interdiction Agent position.

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 (Air Interdiction Agent/Pilot), 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.

* THIS IS A DIRECT HIRE PUBLIC NOTICE: Category rating, Veterans' Preference and traditional rating and ranking do not apply to this Public Notice. Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period.