CBP officer

[capt55dan]

19-4 here. I have passed SI. Medical and Eqip done, awaiting results. Haven't heard anything about poly, drug screen or PFT.
Based on some individual comments there doesn't seem to be a set order in which things get accomplished.
Does anyone know why they allow you to utilize corrective lenses for eye exam but you can't utilize hearing aids for hearing exam

[nonotnow]

19-5 here and I did eqip, medical, PFT and no SI yet. So yeah, probably based on location and availability.

[corsair]

Tried checking online couldn’t find out why ones allowed and the other is not. I know on the website CBP says corrected or non corrected for vision. Maybe hearing aids interrupt the testing?

I’m 19-4 as well - I’m through Medical, PFT, SI, and EQIP went to OPR. Now the long wait begins but I’m not worried about that I have things to keep my occupied haha

[TheLOU18]

CBPO seeking swap from Detroit Land Border (Ambassador Bridge, Windsor Tunnel, Fort Street Cargo) to Chicago O’Harre Internetional Airport.

[rergang3]

Yikes. Anyone see this? Crazy how he thought this would all work out https://taskandpurpose.com/cbp-officer-citizenship-2633583433.amp.html

[Srhernza115]

Wow that’s unbelievable. Seems like a joke but I don’t doubt it’s true. That’s why with every new batch of applicants they make the hiring process more stringent.

[rergang3]

Srhernza115 right?! OPM was sitting in the corner like "Well he made us look stupid."

[corsair]

Holy cow - talk about a slip up

[merlin436]

It's happened before. Locals in both Arizona and Alaska have hired illegals in the last few years. The Border Patrol has hired illegals as well. The BPA in Texas at the center of the headless body floating in the lake scandal a few years back was found with both a US and Mexican birth certificate as well. I'm not sure which birth certificate ended up being counterfeit.

[Elgin_87]

Any one here 18-1 or 18-3 still waiting on the poly? @ 50% forever!

[assembly-jef]

I’m 18-3 and still waiting too, I’m also @ 50% and not moving forward at all.

[Trev928]

Just curious, what are you guys timeline?

[Jgonz383]

I’m 18-3 also and I EOD June 3rd.

[Elgin_87]

Trev928 here is mine.

ORINGINAL CBPO 18-1
CURRENT CBPO 18-3
Application Close Dates: 12/31/2017
Notice of Pre-Employment 10/25/2017
e-QIP Submitted: 11/?/2017
Medical Exam: 11/?/2017-Passed
Fitness Exam: 12/20/2017 – Passed
e-QIP Released to OPR: ??? (don't remember date)
Structured Interview: 5/17/2018
Structured Interview Passed: 05/19/2018
Polygraph: Pending
Background Investigation: In Process
Drug Test: Scheduling in Progress
Final Offer: Pending

[Trev928]

Anyone here with FLETC date 05/09/19? Have you gotten your final call and paperwork for the academy.? My EOD is 04/24/19 and FLETC 05/09/19 and I havent heard anything. I am worried. They are cutting it very close. I want to put in my two week notice already, but I wont make any moves until I have paperwork in hand. Anybody have a timeline of how this final stage works. Please help!

[David1984]

I would email them at this email and ask them any questions you may have.
I got this from the CBP app.

For Applicants Pending Training and EOD Scheduling

Cleared All Pre-Employment Requirements
CBPHiringmedfitappt@cbp.dhs.gov

[Trev928]

Thank You! I just sent a message.

[mobyfish]

You’ll get your info soon Trev. By the end of next week the emails should start rolling in one by one.

[Trev928]

Hey Moby! Anxiety getting the best of me. I like to plan ahead.

[capt55dan]

Has anyone applied for both CBP and BPA? If so did you apply at the same time? Will applying for BPA after applying for CBP cancel out your CBP application process? I am utilizing VRA to apply.

[Talonderiel]

capt55dan, I applied for both of them at the same time..... It seems that it helps move the process along a little faster. PFT, Medical, Poly, BI, and Drug Test all carry over between both apps.

Once I pass the Poly, I will resubmit my new and improved federal resume (had to get professional help :\ ) for MIA also.

Basically, you can apply for multiple job openings and they don't hurt each other (unless you fail a common section: drug test, poly, BI, etc). You just can't have two of the same job apps in the system (e.g. No CBPO GS9 19-2 and CBPO GS9 19-4).

But you can have multiple different app categories at the same time (e.g. CBPO GS9 19-2; CBPO GS9 VRA 19-4; and CBPO GS9 DH 19-6)..... I'm not sure how fast track plays into any of this as it is new :P

[capt55dan]

Thank you for the info. I have applied for a DOD position closer to home. It seems DOD is moving faster than DHS. Both require the same clearance.

[Achyuta]

Well everything is cleared except my BI, seems this is gonna happen.

They sent me this "trial period statement for VRA appointment" since i applied through a VRA apparently. Pretty much saying I acknowledge I will be "in a training position" for 2 years. Feels bad moving from a permanent LEO position and going on a 2 year trial period lol.

Would I be right to assume that I still receive my grade increases every year 9-11 and 11-12 even though i'm in this training period? Would love to hear from a current CBPO. Anyone with knowledge welcome to reply! I'm gonna e-mail them, just figured id ask here as well!

EDIT: Also should I wait for the call before asking them to match my current pay? I am currently a Federal LEO making about GS9 step 7 pay. I know they wont give me 11, but when is is approperiate to ask about matching my current pay with GS9 steps.

[Achyuta]

I make more money now, but I am nearly capped out in my current position. CBPO will be paying me more once i hit 11/12. CBPO has same retirement, and their overtime is paid at DOUBLE time. So in the long run, CBPO is the job that will make me much more money with the same (maybe even better) benefits. My only draw back is doing this 2 year trainign period...just feels bad man like anything could happen.

[Crake]

Achyuta I would definitely discuss salary with them, especially since you're already a federal leo. I have asked when I can negotiate salary and they said during the final job offer and they usually will try to match you to your current salary.

[Evolution81]

2 years?...its 1 year for me..... and im a fed leo also

Probationary Period: You must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

[KevinMO91]

Achyuta Evolution81 It is 2 years for probation if you accept the VRA position. You still get all your promotions IE 9 to 11 11 to 12 each year even in the probation status. I accepted VRA position and start next month. I wouldn't worry about being under a probation status for 2 years because by the time you get on the job they have so much time and money invested that you'd pretty much literally have to try getting fired. As long as you come to work on time, sober, not on crack and do your job you'll be fine Im sure.

[bonds525]

Does anyone know how exactly the pay works? It says on the job post start as a gs-07 in 4/19 and make x amount then be promoted to gs-09 in 4/20 and name x amount more. I was reading that every grade has 10 steps with each step taking a year at least. Kinda confused lol, someone enlighten me.

[Crake]

bonds525 according to the official cbp page, it's by grades every year until GS12 and then you move through steps like raudy06 said. "CBP Officer is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete one year in each grade level, with supervisor approval."

https://www.cbp.gov/careers/cbpo-pay-and-benefits

[Exbpa340]

A CBPO is promoted non-competitively from GS 5 to 7, 7 to 9, 9 to 11 and 11 to 12 on an annual basis. Once full performance is reached (GS 12) a CBPO will progress along the longevity steps.

52 weeks to move from step 1 to 2, step 2 to 3 and step 3 to 4
104 weeks to move from step 4 to 5, step 5 to 6 and step 6 to 7
156 weeks to move from step 7 to 8, step 8 to 9 and step 9 to 10

[bonds525]

Thank you all, I was stressing it a little since I’m going to SF and it’s ridiculously $$$

[merlin436]

Those "start as a GS-XX and potentially make $XX,XXXX" projections are rather overreaching...especially for anybody working the cheaper locality pay areas and those working day shifts.

[RJ_Jersey]

Question - If you have to retake your Poly due to an area of concern that had come up. Do you redo the entire Poly or just that area?

[RJ_Jersey]

Srhernza115 well if i passed than i wouldn't be having to retake it haha.

[corsair]

Rooting for you RJ!! Did you have it in Newark?

[Srhernza115]

I’ve read that some people have been told by their examiner that they passed and then received an email to go back again to retest. Lol I don’t think they’d be down for joking around but hopefully this time around you’ll pass, most people do.

[Evolution81]

..the poly is the sing le biggest hurdle in the process

[Luckyjack90]

Contacted Recruiter, she said I’m clear for now and as long I continue to disclose this information as it is requested.

[merlin436]

As I said earlier, the details make story...but I don't think that, assuming she's given some sort of official status by USCIS and the applicant wasn't involved as far as promoting/concealing anything prohibited or fraudulent...I'm not convinced it's an automatic disqualifier.

[MrAce]

I mean I don’t do the hiring for CBP but I would think that would disqualify you... I know it’s not like your fault... I get it. But from CBPs perspective you Litteraly have 2 jobs... 1) Collect Taxes and 2) Enforce Immigration laws.... Too many ties with foreign nationals. Doesn’t look good, they might see you as soft. If she didn’t get caught then I mean how would they even know she overstayed the Visa... just saying. If you really love her then I’d say marry her, put happiness over the job any day.

[bonds525]

That’s one specific ? They ask on poly, big no no

[Evolution81]

it might not be an auto DQ..... but it will def open up a can of worms when it comes out during the poly/BI..you DO NOT want to open up a can of worms during the bi/poly phase..tell them NOW

[RJ_Jersey]

Rooting for you RJ!! Did you have it in Newark?

Yup

[Srhernza115]

So today I went out of town to do some stuff for another federal LE position and out of curiosity I checked my CASS. After being at 63% for about 7 months I saw a little green check mark next to my BI putting me at 75%.

[raudy06]

Great news, whats your announcement?

[Srhernza115]

I’m announcement 18-4

[Talonderiel]

Congrats, @ Srhernza115 !!! Enjoy the last couple weeks ::fingers crossed::

[Srhernza115]

Thanks Talonderiel. I just have to do my drug test which who knows how long that’ll take plus the offer but I’m glad to be where I’m at.

[MrAce]

Deleted————

[MrAce]

It seems like a lot of people on here get themselves into trouble by talking to much and telling CBP things that they didn’t ask for or would have no way of finding out... expecialy on medicals and poly... Just some food for thought and what I have noticed reading posts over time. What do you guys think?

[corsair]

I’d say yes and no - do you have specific portions you’re referring to? And by portions I mean questions etc

[MrAce]

Mostly people with the medical, if it’s over so many years old and you were a minor they won’t be able to see those records... if you were in the military that’s another story but like if you were prescribed Xanax at 10 to help you sleep or somthing they wouldn’t be able to find that out...

[corsair]

Yup and if they ask for additional information and you haven’t been seeing a doctor no new doctor will just sign off on things.

[Evolution81]

thats the slippery slope...tell them now so there is no questions..or let them find out later and assume you are being deceptive and mark you unsuitable....people have to play their game that fits them...its common sense really..me personally rather tell them now deal with the delay....... then for them to find out and bounce me out the process...i did that had to get a psych eval/copies of all my rx/drs visits...but i didnt have to worry about being bounced from the process...my BI cleared in 1.5 months so it was worth it to me...it took 1.5 years...but i EOD next month

[javi87]

Just an update since my post yesterday.

Today 4/5 I got notification that my BI packet has been released to OPR for higher level review. I got an email yesterday 4/4 about recertifying my eQIP and to resubmit my information.

From the sounds of it, I’m moving on to the next phase. (I’m 19-2)

[corsair]

4/1 I got the released to OPR but I’m 19-4. I’m expecting a very long wait at the point but I’m pleased to see movement from the earlier 18-X guys.

[Talonderiel]

Keep the faith! movement is always a good feeling.