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CBP taps tech schools to fill Border Patrol posts

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has begun sending letters to more than 100 technical schools around the country, encouraging graduating students to consider pursuing a federal career in a host of available jobs. CBP’s rapid growth has created thousands of entry-level mission support and operational support positions.

Earlier recruitment efforts have included posting ads at major league baseball games and sponsoring a NASCAR racing team, on the belief that many potential CBP officers enjoy baseball or racing.

The current effort is timed to attract students as they approach the conclusion of their academic studies.

"We wanted to reach out now because many talented students are graduating, with no idea of the career opportunities that await them at CBP," said Robert Hosenfeld, CBP’s assistant commissioner for human resources management. "As the nation’s largest law enforcement agency, CBP offers many choices for grads with a technical background. They can apply what they have learned in the classroom to protecting America, in America."

In addition to CBP’s ongoing efforts to hire for its "front line" occupations — Border Patrol agents, Customs and Border Protection officers, agriculture specialists, and air and marine interdiction agents — CBP also is recruiting for 2,200 mission support and operational support positions, many of which have a technical emphasis, including:
• IT Specialist
• Chemist
• Budget Analyst
• Personnel Security Assistant
• Maintenance Mechanic
• Automotive Mechanic
• Investigative Program Specialist
• Management and Program Analyst
• Mission Support Specialist
• Mission Support Assistant

A CBP spokesman said the positions are located throughout the country and include the full range of federal benefits, including health and life insurance and retirement. In addition, CBP may offer some candidates the added incentive of student loan repayment.

All positions require U.S. citizenship and the successful completion of a full background investigation.

CBP is an equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are being encouraged to apply.

Interested students should visit the CBP Web site, www.cbp.gov/careers. Once on that site, visitors will find a featured "Virtual Job Fair" which links to vacancy announcements posted on www.usajobs.gov

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