see also: in April 2008:   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $1.3 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes   Border Patrol Launches Rhode Island Search   Border Patrol Agent Search Launches in Atlanta   Two Weeks = Two Tons of Marijuana Seized at Arizona Port of Entry   CBP Officers in Texas Find $3 Million Worth of Dope in 'Empty' Sea Container   New Jersey CBP Officers Make $4 Million Heroin Candy Bar Bust   Border Patrol Agents Locate More Than Half Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers on the web:   USAJOBS

contacts for this news release

Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the largest uniformed law enforcement agency in the country, has launched a "Virtual Job Fair" to fill 2,200 mission support and operational support positions ranging from entry-level to mid-career jobs located throughout the U.S.

Since the virtual world has no hometown advantage, recruiters recommend interested applicants to apply for any open spots, regardless of their location. Applicants also bypass transportation costs and the hassle of jostling through job fair crowds.

"We wanted to reduce the cost and distance hurdles for qualified applicants to start the process toward a career with CBP," said Robert Hosenfeld, CBP’s assistant commissioner for human resources management. "Whether they will serve on the frontlines or behind the scenes supporting our mission, we are looking for everyday heroes in unconventional ways."

The goal of the job fair is to inform the national community that CBP is looking to hire a growing number of non-uniformed personnel to support frontline efforts. Of the 2,200 vacancies, approximately 1,000 positions fall into 11 occupational categories including jobs for investigators, analysts, researchers and many others.

The top five jobs are:

1. Mission Support Assistant (142 Vacancies)
2. Automotive Mechanic (138 Vacancies)
3. Information Technology Specialist (Vacancies 137)
4. Sector Enforcement Specialist (136 Vacancies)
5. Mission Support Specialist (130 Vacancies)

To access the Virtual Job Fair, visit the Careers section on CBP.gov. For a listing of all CBP vacancy announcements, visit USAJOBS. ( USAJOBS )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.