CBP officer

[Thor787]

Hi,

Anyone here with dates EOD Feb/12/19 and Fletc Feb/28/19?

[N.N.]

Has anyone gotten scheduled for their poly recently? I’m at just about 5.5 months since passing my SI, a month since finally receiving medical clearance, but still haven’t heard anything as of yet. It seems scheduling seems to come in waves. Hopefully there’s another coming soon!

[Seminoles44]

Hi N.N.,

Today marks 12 weeks since SI and no poly for me either. Medical cleared right away. Announcement 18-9 from South Florida.

[N.N.]

Seminoles44 it seems poly scheduling has slowed way down in general, haven’t heard of many people getting scheduled in the past 1-2 months.

[V_AntCBP]

Seminoles44, I'm 18-8 DH, Tampa FL, 3 months since SI as well. But I got news someone 18-8 DH was scheduled poly, I'm hoping to get scheduled in the next 3-4 weeks. They finally started processing 18-8 DH.

[RJ_Jersey]

same boat as you. im 18-3, you?

haha i feel like an old buck here when i see that CBP has already gotten to 19-1/ 19-2 with their announcements

[dbnicole]

Anyone have FLETC date Feb 5th and EOD in Nogales?

[JCZ]

congrats on EOD

[SteenBean]

I am also 18-2 (not DH), FLETC Feb 7th, not in Nogales though. Our timelines look very similar.

[Lagune]

None but I will be in FLETC 11/29/18 so if you have any questions once I’m there let me know. I’m JFK

[dbnicole]

Moloaay No, I believe we receive our confirmation emails two weeks EOD date. I'm hoping by first week of Jan

[raptor170]

Got a call from a Background Investigator, I am assuming he is making contact with my references. I guess this is good news...I still have to submit my requested medical info and VA medical records.

[CBPO.BPJ]

Would anyone be able to tell me if I applied for direct hire if I would be able to ask to stay in my city as i noticed they have application here now and due to my wife growing in her career, it will be harder for us (specially her) to just leave everything behind including her career just so that I can achieve my goals and dreams.??

[JMontero]

DH is only for sw border, if you want MIA you have to re-apply for a reg announcement. It happened to me, I ask for MIA and was told that it wasn't an option that i had to re-appy to another announcement.

[TonyJones]

From what you said, I suggest reapply to regular announcement man, lately, things transfer over pretty fast, I think its best if you wait another 2-3 months than your wife lose her growing career, gotta start all over for you. It will be ok if she finds another job right the way, but if she can't, she's going to blame you whenever you guys mad at each other. You may have to retake entrance if you took it prior August 5th, but its pretty much the same as previous one. You will be selected man. CBPO.BPJ, there is not much risk here but wait another few months. You passed the poly, thats the hardest part man, I know someone reapplied and everything transferred over within 6 weeks.

[JPOL]

Is direct hire the same as frontline hiring? I applied for a frontline hiring position and was offered to choose three locations (jfk,newark,dulles)

Also, I checked my full job announcement and back then it didn't suggest Queens/JFK as a vacant spot (but the new job announcement did). Does this mean if I'm finished with my process, my chances of getting into JFK is higher?

[mobyfish]

Reapply bro. I was in the same boat as you. I didn't know any better and applied to DH18-7 made it through and i turned it down when they called (although JFK was available, they could only offer me southern border) and reapplied to the 19-1 on Oct 1. I had to wait two weeks before i could schedule the exam because they were doing website maintenance but now, about a month and change later im at 75% on the CASS just waiting on Polygraph to transfer over.

Better to wait than to have your wife close up shop and move someplace where finding work for her may be impossible.

[KevinMO91]

Hey what's up guys, I'm new here. I actually made this account awhile ago but long story short I recently got done active duty in the Army as a 31E, I'm currently in NJ and am trying to get a CBP job in either Newark or Philadelphia. I applied under VRA for the GS-9 position and I think compared to most people here my process is moving extremely fast. I just got done my polygraph yesterday (My 2nd one) in NY. I was told verbally that I passed but Im still waiting on results to update The examiner told me it could be anywhere from a week to months. From what I can tell all I really have left is BI and drug test I'm hoping it continues to move by fast. I pretty much finished a majority of the process in the course of 3 months. My timeline so far

VRA GS-9 8-12

Applied-08/06/18
Tentative Selection Letter-08/10/18
PFFT- Wavied
SI- 09/20/2018
Si Passed- 09/21/18
Medical-10/05/18
Medical Passed -10/12/18
Polygraph scheduled for-10/31/18 (Inconclusive)
Polygraph Scheduled for - 11/14/18
Polygraph Verbally PASSED- 11/14/18

CASS APP-50%

Poly-Pending
BI-In Progress
Drug-In Progress
Final Offer-Pending

[KevinMO91]

JPOL They do also issue Poly's in Newark. Just because it's closest doesn't mean you'll get it though. My first poly was in Wilmington, DE and this last one was in Valley Stream, NY. The only real interesting thing about both of these Poly's was that I wasn't directly scheduled for them. They were both Polygraphs for someone else that canceled, and then I was offered. I was offered the first one literally the day before I was suppose to take and the 2nd one a week before.

[douglasgene1]

you will fly by, especially if its in the year. The process for you will be a few months for sure.

[micdrop451]

It will slow down during the field investigation portion of your BI as the investigator has to make contact with your unit and CoC. They will talk to soldiers that worked with you. Depending on how many different units you've been with, that will determine the length of the BI as well as other factors.

[KevinMO91]

micdrop451 Eh I've only had a couple of units it wouldn't take long to do, and hopefully BI won't hold me up, I'm hoping I get a provisional or something. I am kinda nervous the process is gonna slow down heavily just because of the Holiday season though

[shawnk]

.............

[JPOL]

Just out of curiosity, is it worth it to take the job at say LA, San Fran, or New York? I'm aware of the cost of living in these areas (from NYC, pref JFK) and the cost of living adjustments, but what type of salaries are we looking at? I'm looking at the website at /cbpo-pay-and-benefits, and the average compensation seems to vary from people depending on where they work (if they have certain multiplers and the opportunity to do overtime or not). Does anyone know how much a CBPO makes in say NY or Cali and how many years they've worked to get that salary and what the multiplers are? I see the tables for the CoL adjustments and the GS pay grades, but these numbers that I'm equating seem quite low for a job that everyone says pays "well".

Also, is it worth it to stay at a big port? Would you have a higher chance of promotion at these larger airports vs. smaller port? I don't really prefer to move out to the middle of nowhere or the boonies where the closest Walmart is a 45 minute drive.

Also any thoughts on the Virginia Dulles port?

[Hal29]

What I don't get is on the application and description it says Nogales I 33% for incentive pay but on the opm website it says 16.75%

[vik2500]

Hal29 so for the incentive it is either 25% or 33% of your pay. Depending on what is offered for that port. I received 25% for Laredo, it will be a little over $8k (before taxes) , I will receive that amount once a year for 3 years. If I decide to break contract, I will have to pay back whatever I received.
I do know the incentives have been lowered, when I applied it was 33% but then dropped to 25% and now I believe it’s down to 15% if it’s being offered. Maybe what you are seeing on the opm website is the percentage for locality pay

[Hal29]

Yeah you could be right on that one. Thanks.

[merlin436]

As far as promoting goes there are different schools of thought on the notion of port size and promoting. Some believe that being in a smaller port tends to make one more of a Jack-of-all-trades type and potentially expose a person to experiences typically done by subject matter experts in a larger port. Some believe that larger ports typically have a greater amount of work experience and are more likely to create subject matter experts...leading to the promotion into management of targeted expertise.

My personal belief is that it's easier to promote within a larger port...for a few reasons. One, larger ports have more management and a greater variety of managerial levels. Smaller ports have less management and that management caps out at a lesser level due to the lack of higher-end hierarchical management. So, Officers in larger ports tend to hobnob more amongst management, especially higher level management, which gets those Officers greater notice at the top levels. Which greatly helps with promotion...especially beyond the first level. Larger ports also tend to take better care of their people, at least their favorites. Larger ports tend to eat whatever they want...and smaller ports tend to be stuck eating the left-overs from above.

[NYC201812]

Things are moving smooth so far. However, I imagine the BI is when it'll slow down.

CBPO 19-1 GS-7

Applied- 10/30/18
Exam- 11/01/18
NoR- 11/05/18
TO- 11/09/18
e-QIP submitted- 11/14/18
Medical- 11/19/18
SI- 12/03/18

Wow it seems like it's moving pretty quick for you.

Are there any other 19-1 applicants? How is your progress looking like?

I've applied to the 19-1 announcement and took the entrance exam on 10/19/2018 and I've yet to have receive a NoR. I've called the CBP customer service line specifically for hiring and they said it can take some time to receive the results from usajobs.com.. (up to 4-6 weeks). They also checked my file and verified that they haven't received scores yet.

[mobyfish]

CBPO 19-1 HERE. ReApplied Oct 1 , currently at 75% on the app.. just waiting on polygraph to transfer over.

[mobyfish]

That's also strange.. where did you take your exam? I know someone who took it and got NOR two days later.

[mobyfish]

I would call the testing company and verify.

[NYC201812]

They finally gave me my NoR for what its worth. Hopefully I'm able to catch up to other 19-1 applicants. Good luck on your app transfer!

[mobyfish]

Any other CBPO 19-1 specifically JFK out there?

[birddog71]

Have been searching around for a current list of what you need to bring to fletc, also anything people who have been through it recommend bringing as well.

[merlin436]

Are you driving yourself?
A person is rather limited on what he can bring if he's flying. Driving a vehicle offers a person the opportunity to bring pretty much whatever he wants...and gives him the option to go shopping in Brunswick or elsewhere...should he have need for something.

[birddog71]

Trying to figure that out. I want to drive for all of those reasons but unsure how that works. EOD at JFK, and I know the drive is about 16 hours to GA. I didn't know if I had a say in how I transport down there or not.

[merlin436]

Yeah, you ought to be able to drive without much of a problem. Talk to your admin. people in JFK and they will set you up. Let your management team know and ask if you can have your scheduling adjusted to accommodate your travel.

I would suggest anyone who can drive, do so. Life at FLETC is so much better when you have a vehicle to use in your off-time.

[birddog71]

Thanks Merlin, will certainly discuss with management when the time comes. It will definitely make life easier incase I need to get to the airport for a quick weekend flight home due to our first child being born.

[Gh3isT]

So quick question here. I just received an email on my medical, which I thought I was not going to have any issues with. My question is do I have to retrieve medical records, or can I go to my primary care physician at the moment and have them evaluate and sign off? To me it is nothing major, boxing fracture twice in right hand, once in left. No issues in my hands since. My only concern is this happened 17+ years ago. Any insight is appreciated. Now stressing a medical setback for even longer processing...lol

[Gh3isT]

Nevermind. It's amazing what you can find out if you(I) actually read the whole packet.

[Lemons29]

Anyone that has been hired already or just on the job...have you taken advantage of the tuition reimbursement or know how that works?

[merlin436]

The tuition assistance program has a long history of being underfunded and not funded. Good luck with it.

[Hal29]

Merlin Is Nogales or douglas considered small or large ports of entry? In comparison to other ports?

[merlin436]

Whether a port is small or large is most often open for interpretation.

Nogales has 300 plus Officers. It is not large by San Ysidro, Miami, or JFK standards...but it is definitely a good sized and significant port. Douglas is much smaller. I, personally, wouldn't call it small...but I can see where a large-port person might.

[JStyleszx]

Failed to submit eQip back in September for 18-11. Reapplied to 19-2. Gs-5 . Final semester of college. I’m currently 23 years of age & probably wont get hired till the age of 25...

Anybody who had to retake the entrance exam , Was it easier ? Harder ? Same stuff ? Scored better or worst ?

[mobyfish]

I scored the same. You can use a calculator on the math section now. Seemed to me like the same stuff from the exsm i took in May. If you yook the exam after august 5th you dont have to take it again.

[V_AntCBP]

Almost same stuff, they changed couple questions around, they let you use basic calculator, I scored 1pt more than last one. You were 18-11, did you take entrance prior August 5th? If you did, don't need to retake..You will receive NOR for entrance soon.... You mentioned final semester of college, so in Jan 2019, you should have your degree, reapply again for GS7, make sure your transcript has degree AWARDED DATE on last page somewhere....Very important. I requested my transcript 2 weeks after graduation to apply for jobs, well, that transcript doesn't show conferred date. so they didn't qualified me GS7. They don't care if you have 4.0, 120 credits, it has to have the date...Had to reapply all over again. so make sure...Transcript doesn't update your last semester grades and degree awarded 1-2 months after graduation.... JStyleszx

[JStyleszx]

I took my exam Aug 2nd. I was already aware i had to retake the exam. Gs7 requires for a gpa of 3.0 & above.. i am a little under 3.0 and i doubt i’ll finish this semester with straight As to reach that 3.0. Can’t wait to retake the exam ! Will keep you guys updated . Hopefully they can transfer my physical & medical results .