Air and Marine Operations (AMO), a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those with Merchant Mariner Credentials the exceptional opportunity of 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’re looking for an exciting and rewarding job that also provides great pay, benefits, and job stability, now is the time to make your move: become a Marine Interdiction Agent. 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 $73,939–$96,116 per year based on your qualifications for the GS-11 grade level and possible extra compensation based on your duty location.
Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Fajardo, PR, and St. Thomas, VI) (RUS + LEAP + RI)
GS-11 1st year annual pay – $110,909
GS-12 2nd or 3rd year annual pay – $132,931
GS-13 3rd year of annual pay – $158,075
Example annual compensation for the first three years at our new-hire locations (Key West and Marathon, FL) (Locality Salary Table + LEAP)
GS-11 1st year annual pay – $98,431
GS-12 2nd or 3rd year annual pay – $117,979
GS-13 3rd year of annual pay – $140,293
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) 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.
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 – 2/1/2025 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: Brownville, 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:
- 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.
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