Department of Homeland Security Careers for Veterans: Complete Guide

Homeland security is a natural fit for veterans. The same skills that protected the nation abroad can protect it at home.

The Department of Homeland Security employs over 240,000 people across more than 20 components—from Border Patrol agents to cybersecurity specialists, emergency managers to federal air marshals. For veterans, DHS offers mission continuity, operational careers, and a culture that values military experience.

This guide covers DHS careers: the major components, top positions for veterans, hiring paths, and how to navigate DHS employment.

Why DHS for Veterans?

Mission Alignment

DHS protects the homeland from threats—a mission veterans understand deeply:

• Counter-terrorism operations
• Border and transportation security
• Emergency response
• Cybersecurity defense
• Immigration enforcement

Veteran Hiring Commitment

DHS actively recruits veterans:

• 30% of DHS employees are veterans
• Dedicated veteran hiring coordinators per component
• Strong use of VRA and 30% disabled authorities
• Military-to-civilian skill translation programs

Operational Culture

Many DHS components have operational, mission-driven cultures:

• Law enforcement components (CBP, ICE, Secret Service)
• Emergency response (FEMA, Coast Guard)
• Security operations (TSA, CISA)
• Fast-paced, action-oriented environments

DHS Components Overview

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Largest DHS component with ~60,000 employees

Key positions:

• Border Patrol Agent
• CBP Officer
• Agriculture Specialist
• Air and Marine Operations

Veteran advantage: Law enforcement, surveillance, tactical skills

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

~50,000 employees protecting transportation

Key positions:

• Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
• Federal Air Marshal
• Supervisory TSO
• Regulatory positions

Veteran advantage: Security operations, attention to detail

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

~20,000 employees in immigration enforcement

Key positions:

• Deportation Officer
• Special Agent (HSI)
• Detention and Deportation Officer
• Intelligence Analyst

Veteran advantage: Investigative skills, tactical training, clearances

U.S. Secret Service

~7,000 employees in protective operations and financial crimes

Key positions:

• Special Agent
• Uniformed Division Officer
• Technical Security positions
• Protective Intelligence

Veteran advantage: Protection details, tactical skills, discipline

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

~20,000 employees (plus reserves) in disaster response

Key positions:

• Emergency Management Specialist
• Disaster Assistance Employee
• Program Analyst
• Operations Specialist

Veteran advantage: Crisis management, logistics, operations planning

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Newest DHS component focused on cyber and infrastructure protection

Key positions:

• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Infrastructure Analyst
• Vulnerability Assessment
• Incident Response

Veteran advantage: Cyber operations, intelligence analysis, technical skills

U.S. Coast Guard (Civilian)

~9,000 civilian employees supporting Coast Guard operations

Key positions:

• Marine Inspectors
• Engineers
• Intelligence Analysts
• Administrative positions

Veteran advantage: Maritime experience, Coast Guard familiarity

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

~20,000 employees in immigration benefits

Key positions:

• Immigration Services Officer
• Adjudications Officer
• Customer Service Representative
• Program Analyst

Veteran advantage: Administrative skills, attention to detail

Top DHS Positions for Veterans

Law Enforcement Positions

Border Patrol Agent (GL-5/7/9)

• Starting salary: ~$59K-$95K (includes overtime)
• 20+ weeks training at FLETC
• Patrol operations, apprehension, surveillance
• Strong for infantry, MP, reconnaissance backgrounds

CBP Officer (GL-5/7/9)

• Starting salary: ~$48K-$80K+
• Ports of entry inspection
• 13 weeks training at FLETC
• Good for any military background

ICE Special Agent (HSI) (GL-7/9)

• Starting salary: ~$52K-$70K base + availability pay (25%)
• Criminal investigations
• 22+ weeks training
• Strong for intelligence, MP, investigative backgrounds

Secret Service Agent (GL-7/9)

• Starting salary: ~$52K-$70K base + availability pay (25%)
• Protective operations and financial crimes
• Extensive training period
• Strong for SF, infantry, MP backgrounds

Federal Air Marshal (SV-G/H/I)

• Special pay system (competitive)
• In-flight security operations
• Extensive firearms and tactical training
• Strong for combat arms, security forces

Security Positions

Transportation Security Officer (SV-D/E)

• Starting salary: ~$39K-$56K
• Airport screening operations
• Entry-level, minimal requirements
• Good entry point for any veteran

TSA Supervisory Positions (SV-F/G)

• Salary: ~$50K-$80K
• Lead TSO teams
• Good for NCO leadership experience

Emergency Management

Emergency Management Specialist (GS-9/11/12)

• Salary: ~$68K-$99K
• Disaster preparedness and response
• Program coordination
• Strong for logistics, operations backgrounds

FEMA Reservist

• Intermittent employment
• Deployed during disasters
• Flexible commitment
• Good for those wanting part-time federal work

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Specialist (GS-9/11/12/13)

• Salary: ~$68K-$118K
• CISA, TSA, and other components
• Network defense, incident response
• Strong for cyber MOS, intelligence backgrounds

Administrative/Professional

Program Analyst (GS-9/11/12/13)

• Salary: ~$68K-$118K
• All DHS components
• Program management and analysis
• Good for operations, planning backgrounds

Intelligence Analyst (GS-9/11/12/13)

• Salary: ~$68K-$118K
• Multiple components
• Threat analysis, reporting
• Strong for 35F, intel MOS backgrounds

DHS Salary Information

Law Enforcement Pay (GL Scale)

Law enforcement positions use the GL pay scale with LEAP (Law Enforcement Availability Pay):

Grade	Base Salary	With LEAP (25%)
GL-5	~$48,000	~$60,000
GL-7	~$53,000	~$66,000
GL-9	~$58,000	~$72,000
GL-11	~$68,000	~$85,000
GL-12	~$82,000	~$102,000
GL-13	~$97,000	~$121,000

*Plus locality pay adjustments

Border Patrol additional:

• 10-25% additional overtime (AUO)
• Total first-year compensation often exceeds $100K

TSA Pay (SV Scale)

TSA uses a special pay system:

Band	Salary Range
SV-D	$39,576 - $56,282
SV-E	$43,736 - $62,270
SV-F	$48,378 - $68,868
SV-G	$53,538 - $76,194
SV-H	$67,147 - $95,548
SV-I	$80,006 - $113,867
SV-J	$95,282 - $135,592
SV-K	$113,483 - $161,501

General Schedule (GS)

Administrative and professional positions follow GS:

Grade	DC Locality
GS-9	$68,405 - $81,569
GS-11	$82,764 - $98,695
GS-12	$99,200 - $118,294
GS-13	$117,962 - $140,663
GS-14	$139,395 - $166,200

DHS Locations

Headquarters

Washington DC area:

• DHS HQ (St. Elizabeths Campus)
• Component headquarters
• Policy and management positions
• Highest concentration of senior roles

Border Areas

CBP operations:

• Southwest border (TX, AZ, NM, CA)
• Northern border (NY, MI, WA, MT)
• Coastal areas (FL, CA, TX)

Ports of Entry

CBP Officers at:

• International airports (all major cities)
• Land ports (border crossings)
• Seaports (major coastal cities)

Nationwide

TSA: Every commercial airport ICE: Field offices in every state FEMA: Regional offices across country Secret Service: Field offices nationwide

International

Limited OCONUS positions:

• CBP attache positions
• ICE overseas offices
• TSA international programs

DHS Hiring Programs for Veterans

DHS Veteran Employment Program

Coordinated veteran hiring across DHS:

• Dedicated veteran hiring coordinators
• Resume assistance
• Job matching services
• Priority consideration

Component-Specific Programs

CBP:

• Hiring preference for military experience
• Military-to-CBP skill translation
• Expedited processing for clearances

TSA:

• Veteran-specific recruiting events
• Priority consideration program
• Military skill recognition

FEMA:

• FEMA Corps (AmeriCorps partnership)
• Emergency management experience credit
• Reservist positions for flexible employment

Direct Hire Authority

DHS uses DHA extensively for:

• Cybersecurity positions
• Border Patrol Agents
• Many law enforcement positions
• Critical shortage occupations

VRA and 30% Disabled

All DHS components actively use:

• VRA for positions up to GS-11
• 30% disabled veteran authority at all levels
• Schedule A appointments for disabled veterans

DHS Application Process

Where to Find Jobs

USAJOBS.gov:

• Filter by Department of Homeland Security
• Further filter by specific component

Component career sites:

• cbp.gov/careers
• tsa.gov/careers
• ice.gov/careers
• secretservice.gov/careers
• fema.gov/careers

Law Enforcement Specific

CBP careers portal:

• Dedicated application system
• Background investigation initiation
• Fitness test scheduling

Secret Service:

• Separate application process
• Extensive background requirements
• Polygraph examination

DHS-Specific Tips

Emphasize:

• Security-focused experience
• Leadership and teamwork
• Integrity and professionalism
• Physical fitness (for law enforcement)
• Clearance status

Prepare for:

• Extensive background investigations
• Polygraph examinations (some positions)
• Physical fitness tests (law enforcement)
• Medical examinations
• Drug testing

Timeline Expectations

DHS hiring can be lengthy:

TSO (TSA): 3-6 months CBP Officer: 6-12 months Border Patrol Agent: 6-12 months ICE/Secret Service Agent: 12-18+ months Administrative positions: 3-6 months

Backgrounds and investigations are the longest phase.

Physical and Medical Requirements

Law Enforcement Positions

Border Patrol Agent:

• Pre-employment fitness test
• Medical examination
• Vision and hearing standards
• Drug test

CBP Officer:

• Medical examination
• Vision and hearing standards
• Drug test

Federal Air Marshal:

• Extensive fitness testing
• Firearms qualification
• Medical examination

Secret Service:

• Physical fitness test
• Medical examination
• Polygraph

TSA Positions

TSO:

• Medical evaluation
• Drug test
• Physical requirements (standing, lifting)

Age Requirements

Law enforcement positions:

• Maximum age at appointment: Usually 37
• Exception for veterans: Waived for qualifying military service
• Military time can extend maximum age

Career Progression at DHS

Law Enforcement Paths

Border Patrol: GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GL-11 → GL-12 → GL-13 (Supervisory)

• Journey level: GL-12
• Supervisory: GL-13+
• Sector leadership: GS-14/15

CBP Officer: GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GL-11 → GL-12 → GL-13

• Similar progression to Border Patrol
• Port director positions: GS-14/15

ICE HSI Agent: GL-7 → GL-9 → GL-11 → GL-12 → GL-13 → GL-14

• Group Supervisor: GL-14
• ASAC/SAC positions: GS-15

Administrative Paths

Program Analyst: GS-9 → GS-11 → GS-12 → GS-13 → GS-14 → GS-15

• Journey level: GS-12/13
• Management: GS-14/15

Cross-Component Movement

DHS employees can move between components:

• USCIS → ICE
• CBP → ICE HSI
• TSA → other components
• Career ladder broadening

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Mission impact:

• Directly protect homeland
• Meaningful, visible work
• Operational tempo

Career opportunities:

• Multiple pathways
• Nationwide presence
• Leadership development

Compensation (LE positions):

• LEAP adds 25%
• Overtime opportunities
• Early retirement (LE)

Veteran culture:

• High veteran percentage
• Military experience valued
• Understood terminology

Challenges

Work-life balance (LE):

• Shift work common
• Overtime expected
• High-stress environments

Hiring timeline:

• Extensive backgrounds
• Polygraphs for some
• Can take 12+ months

Geographic constraints:

• Border positions limited to certain areas
• Career advancement may require relocation

Political sensitivity:

• Immigration policy shifts
• Budget fluctuations
• Public scrutiny

Getting Started

For Law Enforcement Interest

1. Check age requirements: Ensure you qualify (with military credit)
2. Review physical standards: Start fitness preparation now
3. Research specific positions: CBP, ICE, Secret Service requirements differ
4. Apply early: Long timelines mean starting now

For Administrative/Professional Interest

1. Identify target component: Match your skills to component missions
2. Build federal resume: Emphasize security-relevant experience
3. Target GS-9/11 positions: Entry points for experienced veterans
4. Use veteran authorities: VRA, 30% disabled for non-competitive paths

For Cybersecurity Interest

1. Get certified: Security+, CISSP help
2. Target CISA: Newest component, high demand
3. Highlight clearance: Transfers save months
4. Apply to DHA positions: Direct hire authority speeds process

Resources

DHS Resources

• DHS Careers: www.dhs.gov/careers
• CBP Careers: www.cbp.gov/careers
• TSA Careers: www.tsa.gov/careers
• ICE Careers: www.ice.gov/careers
• Secret Service Careers: www.secretservice.gov/careers
• FEMA Careers: www.fema.gov/careers

Veteran Support

• VA for Vets: www.vaforvets.va.gov
• Hire Heroes USA: www.hireheroesusa.org
• Feds Hire Vets: www.fedshirevets.gov

The Bottom Line

DHS offers veterans:

• Mission continuity – protecting the homeland
• Operational careers – action-oriented work
• Strong veteran hiring – your service is valued
• Diverse pathways – law enforcement to cyber to emergency management

Your military skills are directly applicable to homeland security. DHS wants you.

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Interested in other federal agencies? Explore careers at FBI, DoD Civilian, or VA.