0080: Professional Security Specialist

Overview: This series includes positions that cover primary duties responsible for analytical, planning, advisory, operational, or evaluative work. The principal purpose is for the development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards, training, and methods for identifying and protecting information, personnel, property, facilities, operations, or material from unauthorized disclosure, misuse, theft, assault, vandalism, espionage, sabotage, or loss.

Duties at CBP: This position serves as a program manager or Security Program Officer with responsibility for performing assignments necessary to support the agency's efforts to safeguard its personnel, property, equipment, classified information, and all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) assets. Typical work assignments may include:

• Representing CBP or DHS on security issues as a member of the departmental, agency, and inter-agency or inter-organizational workgroups as emerging issues mandate; and providing expert advice and assistance to senior management officials on security matters related to personnel, property, information, and CBP and/or DHS assets;
• Evaluating the sensitivity determination for each position; and reviewing, evaluating, and adjudicating reports of investigation, personnel files, and other records to determine whether to grant, deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict security clearances, consistent with national security and/or suitability issues;
• Assisting in coordinating the review and inspection of DHS facilities regarding clearance and access control; interacting with other agencies on a myriad of security issues; conducting, controlling, coordinating, monitoring, and reviewing security procedures and operations within the agency, the Department of Homeland Security, other federal agencies, international organizations, and state and local governments upon request; and evaluating existing security practices and making recommendations to correct any identified deficiencies;
• Identifying security matters covering areas such as the level and kind of security work to be performed; developing access control policies and procedures; resolving clearance and access security issues, and conducting inspections and assessments and offering corrective measures for deficiencies;
• Serving as an agency representative to the Operations Security program and coordinating Operational Security (OPSEC) programs within the agency to ensure that all employees are familiar with issues relating to the OPSEC program; preparing clearance and access survey directives and reports; assisting in reviewing sensitive clearance and access activities; and advising appropriate officials concerning the agency's maintenance of standards regarding its clearance and access OPSEC policies and recommending appropriate policy changes; 
• Carrying out Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) policy established by the Director, Central Intelligence, relating to personnel and physical security within the agency; evaluating and adjudicating employee background investigations; advising supervisors of the procedures for adverse security determinations and employee rights; developing guidelines and procedures for special access approval; and interacting with other agencies in order to coordinate the review and inspection of facilities where SCI materials are discussed, stored, reviewed, and processed.

Locations: Various

1802: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Technician

Overview: This job series covers positions responsible for technical and clerical duties requiring the application of specialized knowledge of procedures, techniques, regulations, and office automation systems. The work serves to ensure adherence to provisions of CBP laws and regulations and requires extensive but less than a full specialist or officer training and capability.

Duties at CBP: Work within this job series requires a CBP Technician who will become professional performing technical duties requiring the application of specialized knowledge of procedures, techniques, regulations, and information. Typical work assignments include:

• Preparing complex broker/import cases for decision by a specialist, and reviewing declarations and cargo manifests for completeness and compliance with applicable regulations;
• Examining cargo and merchandise; applying appropriate tariff number, valve, and rate of duty and tax to merchandise; comparing passenger baggage to declarations;
• Coordinating and processing of data (permits, entries, declarations) into various automated systems;
• Assisting and providing support to CBP Officers and Agricultural Specialists on inspections, intelligence, analysis and examination of passengers, baggage and conveyances and cargo;
• Operating scanning equipment to review contents of packages; screening incoming parcels for completeness of declarations, admissibility, entry status, and contraband.

Locations: Various

1889: Import Specialist

Overview: This job series covers positions that apply compliance and import knowledge to offer advice and guidance on classification, marking, origin, admissibility, and applicability of trade agreements and all other import related commercial operations activities.

Duties at CBP: Work within this job series requires an Import Specialist to perform a variety of duties that involve furnishing authoritative information and advice to field-based Import Specialists, so as to ensure the uniformity and accuracy of their decisions. Typical work assignments may include:

• Preparing advanced binding tariff classification rulings to importers and other interested persons and referring tariff related information to enhance the effectiveness of national cargo and entry summary selectivity;
• Preparing reports for the Assistant Chief Counsel (United States Court of International Trade) on court cases, protests for further review and re-appraisement cases recommending the government's position utilizing data and opinions developed in the office;
• Conducting national commodity seminars, webinars, port visits, and mini-seminars to promote accuracy and uniformity of CBP decisions nationwide; and
• Promoting Informed Compliance activities by conducting public outreach presentations and preparing Informed Compliance Publications on trade-related issues.

Locations: Various; Washington, DC

0132: Intelligence Research Specialist

Overview: This job series covers positions located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Intelligence Enterprise (IE). Specialty areas for this position include research, analysis, evaluation, coordination, and dissemination of intelligence information; assessment and hypothesis testing regarding known or emerging border security threats; and maintenance and control of classified material and derivative classification requirements that apply to national security.

Duties at CBP: Work within this job series requires an Intelligence Research Specialist to apply a full range of analytical knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide finished intelligence and intelligence products in support of operations to enhance the agency mission. Typical work assignments may include:

• Execution of all-source intelligence compilation, analysis, production and dissemination;
• Timely assimilation of disparate data; rendering of knowledgeable and accurate assessments regarding the intelligence implications of such data; and effective presentation;
• Sourcing reliability and information validating determinations; incorporation of information from multiple sources into intelligence products;
• Synthesis of information into coherent and meaningful pictures or visualization of trends and patterns to convey intelligence to the appropriate audience for awareness, status updates or to inform operations;
• Identifying intelligence gaps, problems or potential difficulties; and
• Assessment, estimation, and forecasting regarding evolving or emerging border security threats; recommendation of appropriate courses of action to counter those threats; and successful execution of intelligence initiatives.

Locations: Various

The IntelligenceCareers.gov website provides a portal to information on intelligence and defense related career opportunities to explore.

There is a wide range of job opportunities available within the U.S. Intelligence Community for information technologists, scientists, engineers, and crypto-, signals and imagery analysts. Individuals leaving the military with training and experience in the intelligence area will find positions that closely align with their military training and experience.

Agencies in the U.S. Intelligence Community include:

• Defense Intelligence Agency
• National Security Agency
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
• Department of State Bureau of Intelligence and Research
• Central Intelligence Agency
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Department of Homeland Security

In addition, there are other intelligence components within the U.S. Intelligence Community associated with the Departments of Energy and Treasury as well as all branches of the military services. Due to the nature of these positions, U.S. citizenship and background checks are required. Other prerequisites may include age, medical or psychological examinations, and drug testing.

The ASPRS: The Imaging and Geospatial Information Society website provides a detailed description of careers in the Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing occupational field.

An additional resource for transitioning to a teaching career is the Troops to Teachers program. The Troops to Teachers program is a national program which provides support services to prepare military personnel for a career in teaching. Service members with a baccalaureate degree or higher are eligible to begin the traditional teaching certification process, however, Service members without a degree may also qualify to become a vocational/technical teacher. Click here for more information about the Troops to Teachers program.

COOL may be able to assist with funding state licensure on a case by case basis. The following conditions should apply:

1. Enlisted Navy Reservists (SELRES) may get a state license funded based on their Navy or civilian occupation, earned academic degree or a semester course. The state license must have relevancy to a Navy occupation or collateral duty.
2. Enlisted personnel may get a state/county or municipality certification/license funded if the Sailor is separating or retiring in the state in which he/she desires the license. This will be a onetime funding opportunity based on their Navy or civilian occupation, earned academic degree or a semester course. Renewals are authorized 60 days prior to their discharge/separation. The license must have relevancy to a Navy occupation or collateral duty. Enlisted Sailor should make contact with Navy COOL prior to 18 months remaining on their soft/hard EAOS due to the complicated funding processes of some states. Certification/license must be completed 60 days prior to separation.
3. For each of the above opportunities, the Sailor must contact Navy COOL prior to submitting a voucher request for licensure funding coordination.

As with any state license, you must meet all state eligibility criteria. Funding of a state license must have relevancy to a Navy occupation or collateral duty (e.g. no real estate license, no beautician license, no private eye license, etc…). Contact Navy COOL for more information.

Troops to Tech Careers is a program created by CompTIA to provide opportunities and resources for Veterans interested in a career in the information technology (IT) field.  Troops to Tech Careers is a collaboration between CompTIA, educational institutions and training organizations, and corporate employers to provide Veterans with an opportunity to Learn-Certify-Work.  Veterans can locate education and training centers nationwide that will help them plan an IT career pathway and identify training courses they may need to prepare for a related IT certification.  On the employer side, Troops to Tech Careers maintains a corporate registry listing companies that have made a commitment to prioritize hiring IT certified Veterans.  Additional information about the program can be found at the Troops to Tech Careers website.