Customs and Border Protection Officers
Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
At a Glance
Customs and Border Protection Officers earns a median of $76,290/yr with +3.1% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Dependability, Getting Information, Working with Computers.
$76,290/yr
+3.1%
54
High school diploma or equivalent
Skills & Requirements
Skills (10)
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Knowledge (5)
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Abilities (15)
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Technology (6)
Work Activities (24)
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Work Styles (3)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Public Safety Telecommunicators
Office and Administrative Support · 190 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Protective Service · 189 shared skills
Intelligence Analysts
Protective Service · 189 shared skills
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Protective Service · 189 shared skills
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Protective Service · 189 shared skills
Order Clerks
Office and Administrative Support · 188 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
Transportation and Material Moving · 188 shared skills
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Computer and Mathematical · 188 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
Frequently Asked Questions
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