Mission Support Specialist (Finance)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, El Paso Sector, Mission Readiness Operations. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above. This position performs review analysis of budget management, training, logistics, procurement and all other areas of mission support resources in support of the Division. This position starts at a salary of $61,722.00 (GS-09, Step 1) to $97,087.00 (GS-11, Step 10) . 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. The Mission Support Specialist (Finance) plans and carries out mission support, budgetary and administrative research, and program planning activities related to the mission and functions of the branch including reviewing and analysis of budget, management, training, logistics, procurement and other areas. Duties and responsibilities include: Formulating, developing and executing all aspects of the division's budget; applying a range of administrative concepts, laws, policies, and analytical methods to ensure financial compliance. Developing, integrating, and executing the operating budget for the division; overseeing expenditures to ensure allocations, commitments, and expenditures are projected and spent accordingly. Managing the travel card program by serving as a Program Coordinator; serving as a certifier and or reviewer to fund and/or approve travel authorizations and vouchers. Monitoring overtime pay to ensure that employees do not exceed the congressionally mandated overtime cap; preparing briefings and reports to management to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations for future budgets, procurement, and travel operational needs. Required Experience: To qualify for the GS-09 grade level you must possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Assisting higher graded specialists and supervisors with managing base pay, premium pay, overtime, and leave entitlements and administration. Providing technical assistance and support services to management; paying invoices in a timely manner and resolving issues as needed; Reviewing travel vouchers for complete and correct information; submission for reimbursement in accordance with federal travel regulations; Assisting in gathering metrics for reports and other evaluation products; Reviewing information and reconciling conflicting information. 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. To qualify for the GS-11 grade level you must possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Processing and analyzing data obtained from financial reports; Calculating projections to ensure adequate funding is allocated to cover expenses; Projecting future expenses and new requirements to complete annual budget submissions; Ensuring funds are available and processing payments; briefing management and recommending solutions to budgetary issues. 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. Education Substitution: GS-09: Masters or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D. if related. GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M. if related. 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 specified and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the 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 for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. 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 10/15/2026. 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 Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government 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. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Border Patrol Council • NBPC. For local chapter contact information see https://bpunion.org/#. Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.