Customs Inspector Jobs
A unit of the Office of Homeland Security, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol processes 989,689 people and 57,761 containers coming into the United States on an average day, according to the agency's official website. The agency employed more than 44,000 people as of December 2010. Among these employees are U.S. customs inspectors who process the containers that enter the country.
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Features
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U.S. Customs inspectors work in airports, at ports and harbors and at stations along highways and railways where trucks and trains cross from Mexico and Canada into the United States. Inspectors visually examine containers and manifests that describe their contents. Inspectors may open containers to look for contraband, counterfeit and other illegal items. They can seize the merchandise and detain those carrying it. Inspectors complete written reports that detail their daily inspections. They may also have to appear in court to testify against suspects.
Education
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Educational requirements for agents vary according to level of responsibility. Typically, a bachelor's degree is necessary to obtain employment in the field. Roughly 42 percent of inspectors hold a B.A., according to the Occupational Information Network. Baccalaureate degree programs usually require four years of full-time study to complete. Possible majors include criminal justice, law enforcement, public administration or homeland security. Inspectors receive on-the-job training from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol; it may take several years before inspectors are permitted to work independently without direct supervision, reports the Occupational Information Network.
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Other Requirements
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Applicants must be legal U.S. citizens. Additionally, they must have resided in the United States for at least three years prior to applying, with the exception of individuals stationed overseas for military or other work for the federal government. Prospective inspectors must pass a rigorous criminal background check to obtain the necessary security clearances to work in the field. They must also pass a drug test.
Compensation
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As of May 2009, criminal investigators who worked for the federal government, such as U.S. customs inspectors, earned an average of $75,390 per year, according to the BLS. Inspectors also receive a large benefits package as federal government employees. Among these benefits is participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System, which includes a 401k and retirement savings plan. They also receive life and health insurance, paid days off for illness and vacation and 10 paid federal holidays off per year. Other benefits include tuition assistance for graduate-level coursework, student loan repayment assistance, a flexible work schedule and a transportation subsidy.
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References
- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol: Snapshot-A Summary of CBP Facts and Figures
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009 33-3021 Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Occupational Information Network: Summary Report for 33-3021.05 - Immigration and Customs Inspectors
- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol: FAQs - Mandatory Background Investigation
- U.S. Customs and Border Patrol: Overview of Federal Benefits for Applicants
