Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Are you a visionary senior leader with a proven history of managing high-stakes intelligence and law enforcement operations? U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is seeking an exceptional senior executive to serve as Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence). Located at CBP headquarters in Washington, D.C., this executive position carries a salary range of $151,661 to $228,000 annually.

As a pivotal executive within the Senior Executive Service (SES), you will lead national-scale intelligence efforts, shaping how intelligence is collected, analyzed, and integrated across thousands of frontline law enforcement personnel. This article breaks down everything you need to know about this career opportunity, including key responsibilities, qualification standards, application rules, and salary structure.

About the Agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) serves as America's frontline border security agency. With a global workforce exceeding 60,000 dedicated personnel, CBP protects the nation by preventing terrorists and unauthorized contraband from entering the country while enabling lawful international trade and travel.

CBP's vast operational footprint spans several key components:

Office of Field Operations (OFO): Manages security and trade processing across more than 300 international ports of entry.
United States Border Patrol (USBP): Secures thousands of miles of land borders between designated ports of entry.
Air and Marine Operations (AMO): Deploys specialized aviation and maritime assets to defeat transnational threats.

The Office of Intelligence (OI) provides actionable, all-source intelligence to support these operational entities, driving national defense and counterterrorism missions worldwide.

Key Job Responsibilities

As the Executive Director of Operations within the Office of Intelligence, you will directly govern and orchestrate critical intelligence strategies. You will hold executive oversight of seven major divisions:

Three Regional Intelligence Centers
Operations Division
Analysis Division
Law Enforcement Programs and Technology Division
Counter Intelligence Division

Primary Leadership Expectations:

Direct the operational pipeline for multi-source intelligence collection, analysis, and tactical dissemination.
Oversee programs responsible for collecting and sharing information gathered by CBP Officers, Border Patrol Agents, and air/maritime crews.
Harness emerging law enforcement technology to modernise collection techniques across human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT) domains.
Manage counterintelligence programs designed to protect internal security, integrity, and operational infrastructure.
Counsel senior DHS and interagency officials on emerging threat intelligence and tactical border risks.

Mandatory Qualification Requirements

To be considered for this Senior Executive Service position, candidates must demonstrate executive-level competence equivalent to the GS-14/15 grade level or higher across federal service, state/local government, or the private sector.

Technical Qualification (TQ)

Applicants must show documented executive achievements in:

TQ 1: Experience leading intelligence operations, including experience leading technical and human collection intelligence operations.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

Entrants to the SES must exhibit competency across five core leadership standards:

Commitment to the Rule of Law and American Founding: Demonstrating commitment to constitutional principles and civic duty.
Driving Efficiency: Managing budgets strategically, eliminating redundant spend, and implementing process modernization.
Merit and Competence: Ensuring work output consistently reaches executive standards of rigor and reliability.
Leading People: Inspiring high-performing teams, driving accountability, and navigating organizational change.
Achieving Results: Aligning divisional outcomes with overall agency priorities and mission targets.

Salary Overview & Position Comparison

This position is categorized under the Senior Executive Service (SES) pay scale, which provides competitive executive compensation aligned with leadership scope.

Feature	GS-15 Senior Manager	Senior Executive Service (SES) Executive Director
Pay Range	Variable by locality ($143k - $191k max)	$151,661 – $228,000 per year
Application Format	Multi-page traditional federal resume	Strict 2-Page Resume (No extra narratives)
Qualifications Review	HR Specialist & Rating Panel	Agency Panel + OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB)
Mobility Requirement	Position specific	Reassignment agreement across functions & geography
Incentives	Standard performance awards	Potential recruitment/relocation incentive up to 25%

Comprehensive Employee Benefits

Selected executives enjoy access to top-tier federal employment benefits designed to support long-term wellness and financial stability:

Healthcare: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) offering comprehensive fee-for-service, HMO, and high-deductible health plans.
Retirement Plan: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) combined with Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matching up to 5%.
Paid Time Off: Executive annual leave earning, sick leave accumulation, and 11 paid official holidays annually.
Relocation Incentives: CBP may authorize recruitment or relocation incentives up to 25% of basic pay for eligible appointees.
Insurance Options: Access to Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) and Long Term Care Insurance.

Strategic Application Tips for Candidates

Applying for an SES role at CBP under the RESUME-ONLY process requires a specialized approach:

Respect the 2-Page Strict Rule: Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. Any text appearing on page 3 or beyond will be ignored completely, which will likely lead to disqualification.
Integrate ECQs and TQs directly: Do not submit standalone ECQ or TQ essays. Write your past career achievements in a manner that explicitly addresses TQ1 and the 5 ECQs inside your 2-page work narrative.
Use Parenthetical Annotations: Explicitly highlight qualifications by adding tags like (TQ1) or (ECQ: Leading People) next to specific workplace accomplishments.
Avoid the USAJobs Resume Builder: Create a clean, standard document formatted in PDF or Word and upload it manually.
Quantify Operational Outcomes: Use concrete data points—such as team size, budget amounts, technology deployments, or intelligence metrics—to demonstrate your executive scale.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to submit separate narrative essays for ECQs and TQs?

No. Separate narrative statements will be rejected. You must address all technical and executive qualifications within your concise 2-page resume.

What security clearance level is mandatory?

This position is classified as Special-Sensitive (High Risk). Selectees must undergo a thorough background investigation to gain and hold Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility.

Is relocation financial assistance available?

CBP may choose to pay relocation expenses under Federal Travel Regulations, or offer a relocation/recruitment incentive up to 25% of basic pay requiring a service agreement.

Can I work remotely in this position?

No. This position does not qualify for telework or remote work due to operational demands in Washington, D.C.

The position of Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection represents one of the most significant executive opportunities in federal national security. By directing complex intelligence networks, human and technical collection capabilities, and multi-agency border operations, you will directly defend the nation's integrity. Ensure your 2-page resume clearly highlights your strategic leadership before applying on USAJobs.

Why This Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) Job Matters

Lead border security and national intelligence operations at the highest level of government as CBP's Executive Director of Intelligence Operations.

Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) Job Overview

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking an extraordinary leader for the position of Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) within the Senior Executive Service (SES). Stationed in Washington, D.C., this executive will oversee seven key operational divisions, providing strategic direction for human and technical intelligence collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and law enforcement program technology.

Requirements for Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence)

U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Special-Sensitive / Top Secret SCI security clearance.
Demonstrated senior executive experience equivalent to the GS-14/GS-15 level.
Technical Qualification (TQ 1): Direct executive experience leading technical and human collection intelligence operations.
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): Executive competence across Rule of Law, Driving Efficiency, Merit & Competence, Leading People, and Achieving Results.
Strict submission limit: Resume MUST NOT exceed two (2) pages.
Pass pre-employment background investigation and mandatory drug screening.
File Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment.
Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.

Preferred Qualifications for Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence)

Prior experience as a career Senior Executive Service (SES) member or OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certified SESCDP graduate.
Proven track record of directing complex interagency intelligence sharing across homeland security and federal law enforcement networks.
Extensive history of managing multi-regional intelligence centers and counterintelligence initiatives.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Senior Executive Service base compensation ranging from $151,661 to $228,000 per year.
✓Possibility of recruitment or relocation incentive up to 25% of basic pay.
✓Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program with extensive coverage options.
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) defined-benefit pension plan.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching contributions up to 5%.
✓Comprehensive paid annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
✓Potential authorization for relocation expense coverage per Federal Travel Regulations.

💡 How to Apply Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) Job

Sign in or create an account on USAJobs.
Prepare a resume strictly limited to two (2) pages that explicitly incorporates evidence of both ECQs and TQs.
Gather supporting documentation, such as current SF-50 forms or SESCDP OPM certification letters if applicable.
Click Apply to transfer to the agency application system and complete the online assessment questionnaire.
Review uploaded materials to ensure no external narrative statements are attached.
Submit the finalized application prior to 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date.

💡 General Tips

Adhere strictly to the 2-page resume limit; content past page two will be completely discarded.
Do NOT submit separate ECQ or TQ narrative statements. Integrate your executive leadership accomplishments directly into the two-page resume.
Annotate Technical Qualifications inside your resume using parenthetical references like '(TQ1)' to ensure rating panels spot your achievements immediately.
Do not use the USAJobs Resume Builder. Upload a custom, professionally formatted PDF or Word document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a separate narrative required for ECQs and TQs?

No. Separate narrative essays will not be accepted or reviewed. All executive leadership accomplishments and technical competencies must be integrated directly into your two-page resume.

What security clearance is required for this position?

The position is classified as Special-Sensitive (High Risk), requiring candidates to successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

Is telework or remote work available for this job?

No. This position is not eligible for telework or remote work due to the sensitive and operational nature of the duties in Washington, D.C.

What is the maximum salary for this SES role?

The salary range for this Senior Executive Service position is $151,661 to $228,000 per year.

Executive Director, Operations (Intelligence) Job

Customs And Border Protection