Seized Property Specialist

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations.

Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Detroit Field Office. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties
Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations (OFO) will allow you to use your expertise to perform comprehensive reviews, evaluations, surveys and other assessments pertaining to the operational functions relating to Seized Property management. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen Homeland Security by providing expert technical direction on complex issues pertaining to seized property activities. This position starts at a salary of $82,372.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $128,350.00 (GS-12, Step 10). Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. In this Seized Property Specialist position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals overseeing the acceptance of seized property for storage in the OFO permanent seizure vault and consigns property to the national seized property contractors in compliance with established timeframes set by national policy and procedures. Typical work assignments include:

• Ensuring that all administrative aspects of the mission-critical Seized Property program are accomplished within national policy, identifying deficiencies impacting the program
• Making recommendations on storage requirements and locations for all types of seized property to include high-risk property
• Developing operational plans to ensure the safe and secure transfer and destruction of seized and forfeited property
• Providing technical direction on complex issues involving seized property activities
• Performing analytical and evaluative work relative to seized property management

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. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU.

Qualifications
NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Ensuring the timely and accurate update of an automated property tracking system within the established timeframes and maintaining a current and complete seized property file
• Assisting with determining special handling requirements for hazardous materials, biohazardous, and any other property requiring special transportation and/or unique handling
• Generating and reviewing seized property management reports
• Assisting with monitoring the turnover of seized property for storage in the certified permanent seizure vault
• Assisting with plans, preparations, and participating in seized property destruction operations
  Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
• Reviewing all seized property documentation for accuracy and completeness and as necessary, requests additional information from the appropriate seizing officer
• Providing guidance concerning seized property processing
• Ensuring that all seized property stored in the certified permanent seizure vault complies with the packaging, labeling, and storage requirements
• Verifying the count of property received and compliance of supervisor instructions for special handling or special storage requirements as delineated on the consignment order
• Examining documentation provided to show that the importer/violator representatives are properly vetted
  Education Substitution: GS-11: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M for the experience required at the GS-11 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. You are required to submit proof of your claim. GS-12: There is no education substitution at the GS-12 grade level. Combining Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. More information on this qualification standard is located here. 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 05/15/2026. 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.

Additional Information
Uniform: You will be required to wear an officially approved uniform while in a duty status. Data Systems: You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution. Rotation of Assignments/Duty Locations: Mission needs may require rotation of assignments and duty locations. Overtime/Travel: Position may require unscheduled overtime and occasional travel. Communication Device: You will be required to carry an electronic communication device. Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand what documentation would be required with your application, please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement.

Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. At CBP, we:

• Secure and enforce trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws
• Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country
• Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products and prohibited goods.
• Prevent unauthorized entry into the country
• Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border

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.