Mission Support Specialist (Generalist)

01Experience

You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Preparing routine administrative reports, records, and other written materials using established policies, procedures, and supervisory guidance. Gathering and organizing information needed for briefing materials, reports, and other products supporting supervisors and senior management.

Communicating established workforce and administrative guidance to employees and assists in responding to routine inquiries. Coordinating with supervisors, staff, headquarters, and other offices to obtain needed documentation and ensure recurring actions are completed timely. Providing information and basic guidance on employee benefits, administrative processes, and mission-support requirements within established procedures.

Education Substitution GS-07: Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

OR A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits. Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision. Please see www.opm.gov for additional information.

02Experience

You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Compiling, analyzing, summarizing, and presenting information on Division workforce resource needs, objectives, activities, and accomplishments. Preparing informational packages, briefing materials, reports, presentations, and data-based products for supervisors and senior management officials.

Gathering and evaluating information for special studies and analytical projects concerning current and proposed organizational and program initiatives. Communicating guidance and instructions to headquarters and sector personnel on workforce and administrative matters and assisting in resolving related conflicts.

Serving as a professional liaison with employees, supervisors, managers, executives, CBP offices, other DHS or government agencies, and contractors to obtain and provide information needed for mission-support functions. Developing or modifying written communication to accurately convey information, explain applicable requirements, and provide recommendations for operational improvement.

Education Substitution GS-09: Successful completion of a master's degree, two full years of graduate education leading to such a degree, or a J.D. or LL.B may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the 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. More information on this qualification standard is located here. 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 11/17/2026. 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. 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 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.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

As a Mission Support Specialist (Generalist), you will assist in providing direct advice and guidance to employees as well as develop and modify administrative program work methods, approaches, or procedures for delivering effective services. This position starts at a salary of $50,460.00 (GS-7, Step 1) to $80,243.00 (GS-9, Step 10).

Typical duties of this assignment include: Planning, writing, and editing internal and external communication products to keep stakeholders informed of sector operations, programs, priorities, and initiatives. Developing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of sector communication strategies, materials, and programs that support and promote enhanced engagement with USBP stakeholder communities.

Identifying and anticipating communication needs and potential reaction from stakeholders, including congressional; media; non-governmental; state, local, and tribal governments; and other USBP stakeholder communities. Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with USBP headquarters, subject matter experts, and other sector communication offices responsible for congressional, public, and intergovernmental affairs. GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area.

If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.