Thread: USCS 1811 Transfer policy

I am just curoius as to the transfer policy for Customs special agents. For instance if we are selected for one location, how long do you have to stay there and what are the requirements for changing. Personally an 1811 gig in NYC would be ideal but beggars can't be chosers. How bout it all you current 1811's...

Thanks.


Dealth.. you have been pm'ed..

No takers on this one???

It is extremely hard to transfer from one duty station to another. Mgmt is not very flexible. One guy had to leave after 6 months on the job because his wife wasn't happy and mgmt didn't want to hear it? He's gone....

Headquarters states that agents have to stay with there post of duty for at least 3 years. I'm not saying that after 3 years you will be able to transfer right away. When your 3rd year is up, then you have the option of requesting a transfer which could take a while. Admin. has the right to turn your request down. If your in NY or the Southwest Border good luck! Guests check in but they can never leave! Hope this helps.

How about if you're somewhere in the mid-west or northern border and want to transfer to a busy area like NYC. Is that a little easier?

I know first hand any agent would not have a problem getting to NYC. As for the 3 year rule, I would count on it. But after that you would be gone.

New York City is my first ideal location.... I would love to be an agent there, family there and all. Thanks for the input. I had my medical last week and was told today(one week later) that I cleared.


Movin quick.

Three to five years is the answer. The deciding factor is that you have to wait for your 13 with one year under your belt. All the lateral transfer announcements that come out are for 13's only.

However, I am betting that with the advent of the new and improved BTSD, we'll see some changes (I didn't say good or bad), in the assignment policies.

Does that still count even if we want to go to NYC??? I was selected for a northern border location (real north) at a GS-12... I am willing to do my time as long as the opportunity is there to get to NYC. Thanks

Steve,
PAID moves are hard to come by unless you are being promoted or the Service needs something special, i.e. before journeyman level was 13 some 13's from Ohio were transferred to the SW border because of all the new guys
If your first office is not a major port office sometime in your career you may be transferred to a location where you have to answer a number of port calls, usually the SW border.

Border rotation is a progran where agents who have done a minimum of 3 years more between 4-5 on the border can rotate to a list of offices where there are vacancies for that GS level. I don't know how that works for northern border.

IF you want to pay your own move somewhere, its not as difficult as people make it out to be. There has to be a vacancy at that office and the SAC's have to agree to let you go. We had a guy go to VT and another to PR on unpaid moves since I got out of the academy in the winter. I get the feeling that if you do the time on the SW and you are not a screwup sooner or later you can get to where you want to go. Start sending 612's early!

I had a BP friend get offered a SW location and when they did his BI they saw he was from NYC and they called and asked if he wanted NYC instead but that he had to pay his own way. Of course he jumped on that one. If you want NYC I don't believe it would be that difficult to get, you may need to call around but alot of people in NYC just like LA are trying to get out.

It's somewhat difficult to change your duty location with USCS. Like Macloud-lewis said...it's a 3 yrs commitment to your assigned duty location. SAIC/RAIC offices do put out request's needing agents, but it is almost always for GS-13's or GS-14's.

And a very important thing to consider is that when you put in for a transfer...your SAIC has to release you....if he/she feels that their office is short-handed.....grab a snickers, because you wont be going anywhere for awhile!

Even if you have been politicin' with another SAIC to get you to their office, your present SAIC is the one who decides if you go or stay.

Keep in mind you send your request up the chain to the SAIC...and either it stops there and is turned down, or he sends it up to HQ for final approval.

An agent in my group here in Miami, just got Tampa SAIC...after 7 years of trying to get over there. And the move is on him since he is the one requesting the move.

Another agent just got a transfer for the Atlanta SAIC office....she has been on for just 4 years.

So you see, it is completely up to the SAIC and the manpower at your office atthe time you request the transfer.

Also for those wanting to go to a RAIC office, you can only request the SAIC office that covers that RAIC office you want. For example, if you wanted to work at the Charlotte RAIC, NC office, you can only request Atlanta SAIC...and then "they" decide which RAIC to put you in...again on the needs of the service.

The key to this whole thing is to "call" around and find the RAIC offices that need agents before you submit your transfer request.....when the one RAIC you want comes up as needing agents, then chances are good you will go there.

Bottom line is that in 5 yrs from starting...you will have a better chance as a GS-13 to transfer somewhere else due to the frequent lateral requests from SAIC/RAIC offices needing agents.

You guys have been great.. Appreciate all the help. I am currently tentatively selected for Houlton, ME as a GS-12. I want NYC more then anything so I guess I have to have the SAIC up there release me before I can get there? Chances are noone is going to wanna swap for Houlton, ME.. Its way up there. I cannot see staying up there for 5 yrs. It would kill me. 32yrs old single and luv the city.

If anyone knows any agents in NYC that may wanna swap, and if I can do that, please pm me. I am hoping there is a loophole somewhere. Thanks

Dude--you are getting on as a "12"!!!! And you have issues about your assignment????

When you get to FLETC you are going to meet dozens of guys with years of LE experience that didn't apply under the 12 announcement b/c they thought the paper shuffle computer in DC would crash-- canceling out both applications--which is why I didn't roll the "12" dice, AND they are coming on as a "7" and heading to the southwest border. I wouldn't get there and start looking around for someone to swap with. You won't get much sympathy from them or the staff.

Also, I have found that the old timers around my RAIC and SAIC office aren't very receptive to the "12" appointees. In fact, I've found that they mostly resent the fact that two years ago, agents had to spend almost 5-6 years as a "12" before they were considered for "13". They make a point to tell the new agents that they "earned their 13's". I can tell you a story about an agent in my office that was a 12-5 on the border and was married to a woman that worked in the communications branch. When Customs decided to close all the communications offices and combine all of them at one office, Customs wouldn't let him leave the border with his wife. He eventually, resigned and took a gig as an inspector to keep his family together. A few years later when he wanted to be reinstated, all he found were deadends. He eventually sued--and lost. When they finally offered to reinstate him (at thier leisure), the offered him a lower grade. Nothing like insult to injury.

Another thing, when I was at the academy, I heard all this talk about how a SAIC or RAIC could bump you to a "9" if they wanted. Once I got down here, I was told that it's a sure fire way to hit the "S-List" at the SAIC office. They want you to show up eager and grateful for the job. No "IFs" "ANDs" or "BUTs".

Side note: one of the CBES instructors is a recent transfer from Houlton, ME. Talk to her when you get there, and she'll fill you in on that duty location.

Congratulations though. Welcome aboard.

Thanks for the info.... I appreciate all input both constructive criticism and not. As far as LE experience... I put in for the 12 not caring about getting lost in the shuffle as I did for the many other hundreds of 1811 vacancies that I have applied for. That is called persistence and I was not going to quit. I have extensive experience in the federal sector... both with 4 yrs in the Marines and twelve years with two federal agencies so I have done my time so to speak and don't get me wrong, I am extremely greatful for this opportunity. Being uneducated about Customs transfer policies, all I can do is ask. Any questions about ATF and I would be glad to assist in any way I can.

I was a GS-7 twice now and am getting my 11 again very shortly.
My point is, I am not ungreatful in any way. I was just trying to get an idea as to how much time one has to spend in a specific location. Thanks though for all the input.

I applaud your persistence and congratulate you on coming over to us. Sorry for the tone in my response; I know you are grateful, and I apologize for insinuating otherwise.

I realized early on that despite the notion that going Fed meant going to a "better" agency, that there is no Shangra-La. And as such I made a decision that anytime I felt down about my appointment I would pull out the memories of the days when I was watching for the mailman, and hoping for an offer.

Again, congratulations, and I'll do my best to get the name of the instructor at FLETC that was from Houlton, so you can hit her up with questions about the duty station. Look for a PM from me shortly.