REALTY SPECIALIST

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations.SummaryOrganizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Headquarters, Program Management Operations Division (PMOD), Infrastructure, location is negotiable after selection. You must choose one of the following locations: Laguna Niguel, CA Washington, DC This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 50 applications have been received, whichever happens first.DutiesIn this position, you will lead the full lifecycle of real property acquisition, management, utilization, and disposal while providing expert portfolio guidance, interpreting policy, conducting market/title analyses, and negotiating complex leases. This position ensures U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) has the facilities and land needed to execute operations, optimize utilization and costs, and maintain compliance to support mission readiness. This position starts at a salary of $124,531.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $161,889.00 (GS-14, Step 10). As a Realty Specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring efficient and effective management of real property assets, resolving real estate challenges, and facilitating the acquisition and disposal of properties in accordance with applicable regulations and agency needs. Typical duties will include: Planning and executing real property acquisitions (purchase, lease, exchange, donation) and provide expert portfolio management guidance, interpreting/formulating policy and ensuring compliance with FAR, FPMR, GSA, and USBP procedures. Serving as project lead and subject matter expert (SME) for complex realty decisions, developing business cases, conducting strategic analyses, and leading audits and process improvements. Managing assignments, utilization, and disposal of federally owned/leased properties, preparing site evaluations, and formulating lease-versus-purchase analyses. Conducting market surveys and title research, negotiating and administering complex leases and agreements as a RECO, and performing cost/price analyses. Establishing and maintaining liaison with property owners, government officials, and stakeholders, briefing leadership, and acting as a spokesperson on real property matters to reconcile competing interests and support mission needs.RequiremenntsYou 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 position is not covered under the bargaining unit.QualificationsExperience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Leading end to end lease or purchase acquisitions, including market surveys, negotiations, award, and administration in compliance with FAR/FPMR/GSA policy; Conducting site evaluations and preparing reports assessing property adequacy relative to mission requirements and proximity to operational elements; Reviewing title reports, identifying exceptions, preparing curative documentation, and coordinating with owners/counsel to resolve title defects; Developing acquisition plans and strategies for distinctive needs (e.g., easements, access corridors) and conducting competitive procurements; Negotiating complex lease and acquisition terms and conditions to achieve fair rental rates and secure protections aligned with operational requirements. 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. 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 11/28/2025. 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.EducationPlease see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.Additional InformationRequired Certification: This position serves as a Real Estate Contracting Officer (RECO); which requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Real Estate Contracting Officer (RECO) Warrant; and requires the completion of the Leasing Certification Program (LCP) Level II within 24 months of appointment. The incumbent must possess all requirements for the Leasing Program Level II and respective Real Property Contracting Officer Warrant. Training: Can be met by completion of courses conducted by HSAI, FAI, DAU, or a specialized training provider. Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See "THIS JOB IS OPEN TO" section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand what documentation would be required with your application, please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement. Veterans Military spouses Effective until December 31, 2028, any spouse of a member on active duty may be eligible Land Management Hiring Flexibility Act: The following documents are required at the time of application: SF-50s to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements and the most recent performance rating signed by your supervisor or a statement from your supervisor documenting acceptable performance. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.Customs & Border Protection (CBP): Securing America's Borders The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. At CBP, we: Secure and enforce trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products and prohibited goods Prevent unauthorized entry into the country Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border Find us on X at @CBP and @CBPJobs Find us on LinkedIn at U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about