Communication Specialist Job in Washington, DC (CBP) 2026

⏰ 12 min read

Job Overview

Digital communicators who enjoy content strategy, web management, and audience engagement may want to take a look at this opening. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is accepting applications for a Communication Specialist (Digital Engagement) within its Office of Human Resources Management in Washington, DC.

This role focuses on researching, developing, and maintaining digital media products that make agency information accessible to CBP’s workforce and external audiences. It is not a remote or telework position, so it is best suited to candidates who already live in or are willing to commute to the Washington, DC area.

The ideal applicant has experience with web and social media content, enjoys collaborating across teams, and is comfortable analyzing digital engagement trends to inform strategy.

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Important: this announcement has a short window and closes on August 7, 2026, so candidates who are interested should apply promptly.

About the Employer

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency operating under the Department of Homeland Security. This position sits within CBP’s Office of Human Resources Management, specifically the Strategic Partnerships and Communications Division, which handles external engagement and communication for the HRM function.

The agency describes itself as a workforce dedicated to accomplishing its mission while maintaining public trust, and it holds employees to strict government ethics standards. The agency has not publicly detailed additional background beyond what is shared in the official announcement, so readers are encouraged to visit CBP Careers directly for a fuller picture of the agency’s mission and culture.

Position Summary

Here is a quick snapshot of the basics for this opening, straight from the official announcement:

This is a permanent, full-time position with one vacancy listed at this location.

Key Responsibilities

As a Communication Specialist, your work would include researching, analyzing, and producing reports on consumer behavior, industry trends, and digital engagement activities to inform strategies for HRM’s web pages, social media, and mobile application platforms. You would curate, draft, design, and post engaging content for web and mobile platforms, ensuring professionalism and consistency across HRM-managed digital channels.

Collaboration is a core part of the job: you would work with the HRM social media team, the Office of Public Affairs, the Office of Information and Technology, and other components to conceptualize and implement digital engagement programs. You would also analyze, review, and report on the impact of these programs, sharing updates on trends, best practices, and recommendations.

Finally, you would select, draft, and edit text, HTML, and graphics for HRM web pages and digital platforms, making sure products are easy to find, well-designed, compelling, and accessible to their intended audiences.

Required Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Developing and evaluating digital engagement strategies: Enhancing organizational communication with diverse audiences.
• Researching and reporting on digital engagement activities: Analyzing industry trends and audience behaviors to inform future strategies.
• Maintaining web content standards: Ensuring content is accurate, professional, and aligned with organizational objectives.
• Coordinating with multiple stakeholders: Producing and maintaining compelling, accessible digital products for web and mobile platforms.
• Preparing reports and recommendations: Advising on communication strategies and representing the organization in working groups.

The agency specifically notes that your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, or you will be found ineligible.

Preferred Qualifications

The employer has not published a separate list of preferred or desired qualifications beyond the specialized experience described above. Meeting the one-year specialized experience requirement at the appropriate grade level is what the agency has outlined for this role.

Required Skills

Based on the assessment criteria, the agency evaluates candidates through a USA Hire Assessment covering attention to detail, customer service, flexibility, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, self-management, stress tolerance, teamwork, and reading comprehension.

In practice, this means the role rewards someone who can manage multiple digital projects at once, write and edit clearly for different audiences, and collaborate smoothly with communications and IT teams across the agency.

Salary and Compensation

According to the official posting, this position starts at $102,415 (GS-12, Step 1) and goes up to $133,142 (GS-12, Step 10) per year. The pay scale and grade for this role is listed as GS 12, with a promotion potential of GS 12.

For readers unfamiliar with the federal pay system, the “GS” scale is the General Schedule used to set pay for most federal civilian employees, and actual pay may vary by geographic locality. The agency directs applicants to review locality pay tables for their specific area. The agency has not broken this figure down into hourly or weekly amounts beyond the annual range.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, it is important to confirm that you meet the basic eligibility conditions the agency has set for this role. These conditions come directly from the official job announcement.

Employee Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; a retirement plan; a Thrift Savings Plan similar to a 401(k); a Flexible Spending Account; an Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

The posting also mentions that other benefits may include flexible work schedules, tuition reimbursement, transportation subsidies, uniform allowance, health and wellness programs, and fitness centers. Benefit eligibility depends on the type of position you hold and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position, and the posting notes that occasional travel may be expected. The role is not eligible for telework and is not classified as a remote job, so employees would be expected to work on-site in Washington, DC.

Work Location

The position is based in Washington, DC, with one vacancy listed at this location. The employer specifically states that relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for this role.

Hiring Process

Your application will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, responses to the application questionnaire, and results from a required USA Hire Assessment covering competencies like attention to detail, customer service, and interpersonal skills. Note that eligibility categories are strictly enforced: you will only be considered for the eligibility you claim in the job questionnaire, and only if you provide the supporting documentation for it.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and possibly contacted for an interview, where additional selection criteria may be applied. The agency states it expects to make a tentative job offer within 60 days after the announcement closes, and selected candidates may undergo a suitability or security background investigation.

How to Apply

This position can be applied for directly through USAJOBS. Here is how the official process works, according to the employer:

Step 1
Click the “Apply Online” button on the official USAJOBS announcement.

Step 2
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation, including your resume (no more than two pages, uploaded as a PDF if possible).

Step 3
Click the “Submit Application” button prior to 11:59 PM ET on August 7, 2026.

Step 4
Watch for an email notification about whether you need to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

Step 5
If required, access the USA Hire system using your unique assessment link and complete the assessments, setting aside about 3 hours.

Step 6
Track your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account.

Keep in mind that your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet the specialized experience requirement, and applications and documents cannot be submitted as PDF Portfolios.

Helpful Tips Before Applying

Since this announcement has a very short window, closing just four days after it opened, gather your resume and supporting documents as soon as possible rather than waiting.

Make sure your resume explicitly and specifically describes how your experience matches each part of the specialized experience requirement, since the agency states that vague resumes will be found ineligible. If you are claiming a specific hiring eligibility (such as CTAP, veteran status, or military spouse), only claim what you can support with documentation, since you will only be considered for eligibilities you claim and document.

Finally, confirm you meet the residency requirement of having physically resided in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years, or check whether you qualify for one of the listed waiver conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this a remote or telework position?
No. The official posting states this role is not remote and is not eligible for telework.

2. Where is this job located?
The position is based in Washington, DC, with one vacancy listed.

3. What is the salary range for this role?
The official salary range is $102,415 to $133,142 per year, at the GS 12 pay grade.

4. When does this announcement close?
It closes on August 7, 2026, just four days after it opened, so applicants should act quickly.

5. Is U.S. citizenship required?
Yes, along with a residency requirement of physically living in the U.S. for at least 3 of the last 5 years, with some exceptions.

6. Will relocation expenses be covered?
No. The official posting states relocation expenses are not reimbursed for this position.

7. Is a security clearance required?
No, the posting lists the security clearance as “Not Required,” though a background investigation may still be required.

8. Who can apply for this position?
This announcement is open to federal employees in the competitive service, CTAP/ICTAP eligibles, Land Management employees, veterans under VEOA, and certain military spouses — not the general public.

9. Is an assessment required?
Yes. A USA Hire Assessment covering competencies like attention to detail, customer service, and teamwork is required.

10. How do I apply?
You apply directly through USAJOBS by clicking “Apply Online” on the official announcement and submitting your resume and required documents.

Final Thoughts

This Communication Specialist opening may appeal to digital content professionals with federal or eligible hiring-path backgrounds who want to shape how CBP’s Office of Human Resources Management engages its workforce and the public online. Given the specific eligibility requirements, it’s worth double-checking your hiring path before applying.

Because this announcement closes quickly, interested and eligible candidates should prepare their materials without delay. Readers should always verify the latest information directly through the official USAJOBS announcement before applying, since hiring details can be updated.

Official Application Information