Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Agriculture and Prepared Products Center for Excellence and Expertise (APP-CEE), located in Miami, Florida. Responsibilities The Assistant Center Director supervises and provides strategic, technical, and operational direction to one or more of the divisions within the Center and is involved in the development and implementation of national trade policy and national processing strategies unique to the incumbent's assigned aspects (Enforcement, Validation & Compliance, or Partnership) of the unique industry/industries assigned to the Center, thereby increasing business certainty for the industry partners. This position starts at a salary of $132,626.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $172,414.00 (GS-14, Step 10). The Assistant Center Director is responsible for managing national strategic trade activities to accomplish the CBP trade mission, to include revenue collection, summary review and validation processes, and trade enforcement actions associated with the importation and exportation of merchandise involved in international trade. Typical work assignments include: Managing the daily activities and provides oversight of operational and tactical trade responsibilities within a Center. Directing the national trade policy and national trade program functions of CBP by administering account-based principles, providing uniformity and clarity for the development of CBP's national trade strategy. Overseeing and interpreting the laws and regulations pertaining to a broad range of Federal, state and local agencies, relating to trade compliance. Directs and provides guidance for effective enforcement actions and tactical operations to sustain a secure import process focusing on national priority trade issues such as intellectual property rights, revenue, and health and safety violations. Coordinating with senior level law enforcement managers both internal and external to the agency to manage and approve significant enforcement actions, including criminal investigations and prosecutions. Planning, directing, and timely executing all trade program activity pertaining to an assigned industry, including development and assignment of goals and objectives for supervisors of subordinate employees. Resolving conflicts with the importing public that cannot be resolved by subordinate supervisors. Considers requirements of laws, regulations and procedures, facts surrounding a particular situation, intent of rules discussed, and local/national priorities in determining a course of action. Ensures full and proper use of all available automated systems including the Advanced Targeting System (ATS), Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Automated Commercial System (ACS). Requirements Conditions of Employment 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) 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. This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement, as defined below: The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or The employee's permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location, the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year, the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. Qualifications Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Supervising, managing, or directing trade operational programs (e.g., port director, special agent in charge, district director, regional manager, supervisory inspector, etc.). Interpreting and applying CBP laws, regulations, and precedents, as well as Office of Field Operations policies and procedures concerning the import and export of merchandise and cargo to the U.S. (including characteristics of items imported/exported to determine or verify classification, value, and property of transport). Processing and controlling operations for merchandise/cargo along with managing regulatory requirements of multiple existing trade laws and legislation. 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 03/03/2025. 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. Education Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. Additional Information Leadership Training: All newly appointed, second level Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include SLCP four (4) weeks, of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed. Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment. You must obtain and maintain a SECRET national security clearance. You will be required to maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution. You must possess a current valid State driver's license at the time of appointment. Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons 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 for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.