Marine Interdiction Agent
Application Process
Are you ready to become a Marine Enforcement Agent? Take your first steps toward securing your career and joining our team.
WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME AN AGENT
Being a Marine Interdiction Agent can be mentally and physically challenging. To ensure that every agent is mission-ready, our comprehensive hiring process helps identify the talented individuals who have what it takes. Explore the application requirements and steps for becoming a Marine Interdiction Agent below.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen.
- Have a valid driver's license.
- Have resided in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years (Residency Requirement Exceptions).
- Be eligible to carry a firearm.
- Be referred for selection prior to your 40th birthday (or receive an exception waiver for veterans' preference eligibility or previous served in a federal civilian law enforcement position).
- Be willing to travel. You will be required to travel frequently, including potential extended domestic and foreign Temporary Duty assignments.
- Pass the application process (see details below).
You may be disqualified if your background includes:
- Use of illegal drugs and/or the sale distribution of illegal drugs.
- Convictions, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
- International harboring or concealment of undocumented noncitizens.
- One year of specialized law enforcement experience
- Must possess a valid United States Coast Guard (USCG) issued vessel license. Your USCG vessel license must bear one of the following capacities:
- Masters License (any tonnage);
- Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) License;
- Deck Mates License (Chief Mate, Second Mate and Third Mate) of greater than 200 gross tons;
- Deck Mates License (Chief Mate, Second Mate and Third Mate) of 200 gross tons or less (Near Coastal and Offshore)
Your Application Journey
To begin your application process, submit your application on USAJOBS. After you submit your application, go back to the application section of your USAJOBS account and make sure we have received your application. Your application status would say you applied with the date you submitted your application if it went through. If you are not ready to apply at this time, but would like to learn more about the Marine Interdiction Agent position, please contact an AMO recruiter.
The CBP Hiring Center will review your application to make sure you meet the minimum qualifications and determine what grade you qualify for. If your resume and documents do not clearly document how you are qualified, you may be rated ineligible. We highly recommend you review the What Should I Include in My Federal Resume? page on USAJOBS when preparing your resume.
If you are found to be a qualified applicant, then you will go through a series of steps in the application process.
Visit our Apply Now page to start your application today!
You must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of employment with CBP. The Standard Form 86 - Questionnaire for National Security or Standard Form 85 - Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions must be completed to initiate the background investigation. The background investigation consists of the preliminary vetting checks, the investigation and the final adjudication.
You may or may not be required to take a standardized polygraph exam as part of the application process. Results of your polygraph examination, along with information gathered as part of the background investigation process, will be used to assess your overall suitability/eligibility to hold a law enforcement position with CBP.
You may or may not be required to take a standardized polygraph exam as part of your Marine Interdiction Agent application. The polygraph exam, if you are required to take it, is a 4-6 hour interview that requires you to respond to a series of questions typically relating to national security issues and answers you provide on your background investigations forms.
The polygraph measures your physiological response when answering questions and results are subject to a quality control review for accuracy.
You will be required to submit to a random drug test during the application process.
If you test positive, then you will be disqualified.
You will be required to pass a three part assessment conducted at an AMO location to be determined over the course of one full day. Once scheduled for the assessment, detailed traveled information will be provided. You will be responsible for all expenses associated with their travel, as well any lodging and/or personal expenses incurred.
Part 1: Oral Exam
You will be required to undergo a structured interview. This interview is designed for the applicant to demonstrate the core competencies necessary to be a Marine Interdiction Agent. Competencies include sound judgment, decision making, integrity, communication, and emotional maturity. You will be asked a series of questions involving actual scenarios you may encounter that will test these competencies.
Part 2: Vessel Evaluation
You will be required to demonstrate your vessel handling proficiency on a 30' twin engine vessel. You will be evaluated on your knowledge of equipment safety and nomenclature, Marine VHF, vessel handling and practical demonstration of navigation and docking in various conditions.
Part 3: Written Exam
The test covers the following areas: Rules of the Road, Navigation General, and Deck General. To prepare for the examination, applicants should refer to study aides for preparing for the OUPV license. Candidates should also review and practice chart plotting. Chart plotting tools will be provided.
You will be required to complete a 15-week Air and Marine Basic Training Program (AMBTP) at the Air and Marine Operations Academy (AMOA), located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia.
Requirements include: 1.5-mile run/walk within 16 minutes and 30 seconds or less, 24 push-ups within one minute or less, 220-yard sprint in 60 seconds or less and a five-minute tread/float.
You must successfully exit a simulated downed aircraft in the water while wearing blacked out goggles, followed by self-rescue into a life raft. Firearms proficiency must be achieved for the duty-issued handgun, M-4 rifle, and 12-gauge shotgun.
During AMBTP, you will be provided training in arrest techniques, investigative skills, survival skills, defensive tactics, criminal law, customs law, immigration law, law enforcement driving, and tactics specific to aviation and maritime law enforcement.
For Air and Marine Basic Spanish Training Program (AMBTSP), you will be given a Spanish language proficiency test. If you do not receive a passing score, then you will receive a Rosetta Stone training course.
After successfully completing AMBTP, you will:
- Complete crew member training and be designated as a crew member at your new assigned duty station
- Complete field training standards required for a Tactical Boarding Officer
- Complete Initial Tactical Boarding Officer training at the National Marine Training Center (NMTC) in St. Augustine, Fla.
- Receive training in the field from local marine instructors to meet standards for Initial Vessel Commander (IVC)
- Attend and complete IVC training at the NMTC
- Attend the Maritime Law Enforcement Training Program at FLETC (Note: Not all agents will be required to attend. It is based on employment qualifications.)
Failure to successfully complete all the above training and achieve required certifications may be grounds for mandatory removal from the position.
