Customs Officer (Level 4), [25 posts]

Job Purpose? 

Under the general direction of the Supervisor/Team Leader, the Customs Officer will be responsible to: 

• Expedite the processing of incoming passengers/cargo/vessels while enforcing the Customs Acts and Regulations and other related Acts and Legislations.??? 
• Protect Jamaican society by overseeing activities to detect and seize illegally imported goods.? 
• Optimize revenue by overseeing an appropriate risk-based approach to controlling goods in and out of port operations.? 
• Create and maintain an effective deterrent against persons committing customs offences through misuse of the port operation system, thereby optimising revenue declared and collected.? 
• Facilitate trade by overseeing the efficient and effective use of the public bonded warehouse system.? 
• Record the entrance and clearance of aircraft, an inspection of persons, carriers and baggage and the enforcement of the Customs Acts and Regulations.? 

Key Responsibility Areas?? 

Technical/Professional Responsibilities? ? 

• Supervises the unloading of all passengers/cargo/vessels entering the Island and ensures proper storage of ships/cargo by: 
• ensuring that they are accounted for on the manifest.? 
• checking the report on short, landed goods and listing Bad Order (Form C14) goods. 
• storing goods in in-transit in unique lockers/sheds depending on the nature of goods.? 
• Carries out a physical examination of passengers, crew and baggage entering the Island.?? 
• Conducts the examination and release of cargo.? 
• Searches cargo to determine if there are prohibited and dutiable goods.? 
• Ensures that Customs entries presented by an importer for the release of goods are correctly completed, and the proper Officer gives authority for the release of these goods by:? 
• Checking entries for the accuracy of the information given under various headings.? 
• Checking for the cashier’s signature and official stamps.? 
• Comparing particular on Bill of Lading with Entry and Invoices.? 
• Checks to ensure that correct duties are collected on goods before release by:? 
• carrying out a physical examination of goods and comparing them to invoices.? 
• checking tariff heading and duty rates for accuracy.? 
• reporting discrepancies or suspicion of fraud to the Senior Officer.? 
• Maintains import control over prohibited and restricted goods by issuing Detention Notices or Seizure Notices for restricted and prohibited goods.? 
• Releases imported goods/cargo after all requirements are met by recording details, making notes or any short landing and completing Customs Release.? 
• Ensures that Customs Escort is provided for goods released on Transshipment Bill, Transit Entry or Removal Note. 
• Carries out a physical examination of passengers, crew and baggage arriving on ships.? 
• Roves the Baggage Hall, observing the queues of passengers and deciding which ones can be checked while in line. 
• Interviews passengers to determine ports of embarkation, place of residence, duration of stay abroad (in cases of Returning Residents), the reason for visit and luggage contents.?? 
• Guide passengers in completing unaccompanied baggage declarations.?? 
• Scrutinizes invoices, bills, permits and other relevant documents to establish validity and authenticity and to ensure that the permits apply to the goods being examined. 
• Conducts personal search of passengers if there are any reasonable doubts that uncustomed, prohibited or restricted goods and documents are concealed. Conduct drug tests on any substance suspected of dangerous drugs or narcotics.? 
• Detains dutiable and restricted items of which the requirements are unmet and ensures that the items are checked, recorded and securely stored.?? 
• Ensures that passengers who commit breach(es) of the Customs Act are dealt with per requirements of regulations.? 
• Participates in rummaging exercises on aircraft with particular emphasis on detecting illegal imports of drugs, firearms and ammunition.?? 
• Boards incoming commercial Aircraft to detect items left on board under the circumstances deemed suspicious.? 
• Monitors the Baggage Hall exists to ensure that passengers with goods leaving the Customs area are appropriately processed.? 
• Appraises value, classifies goods according to the Customs Tariff and ensures that the Cashier collects the duty. 
• Conducts drug tests of any substance suspected to be dangerous drugs and body searches of passengers suspected of hiding prohibited or restricted goods on their person.? 
• Detains dutiable and restricted items when the requirement is not met by completing in triplicate the Detention Notices, label and store all packages in the Bond Room.???????? 
• Process breaches committed by passengers by:? 
• informing the passengers of the breach committed.? 
• completing the Consent Form and requesting the signature of passengers.? 
• producing a written report on the incident to the Supervisor for submission to the Commissioner. 
• taking detained goods into Customs custody and issuing receipts.? 
• Charging and arresting passengers who refuse to sign the Consent Form.? 
• Patrol the ramp and in-transit areas to detect and prevent smuggling.? 
• Carry out interviewing of the crew and rummage private aircraft to detect illegal imports.? 
• Record registration number, time of departure and arrival, and aircraft name and make a periodic report to Duty Officer.? 
• Verify the quantity of petrol delivered to outgoing aircraft.? 
• Check cargo hold and inside incoming commercial aircraft to ensure that all goods are off-loaded.? 

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Maintains customer service principles, standards, and measurements.   
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers. 
• Ensures critical success factors are identified and meet expectations.  

Other Responsibilities 

• Performs all other duties and functions as may be required occasionally.  
• May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence. 
• Comply with Health & Safety Policies & Procedures.  

? Required Skills/Competencies? 

Core 

• Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.? 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, planning, and organising skills.? 
• Excellent negotiating skills.? 
• Good judgment and problem-solving skills.? 
• Excellent customer orientation skills. 
• High-stress tolerance.   
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy 
• Ability to work in a team environment. 
• Ability to demonstrate high confidentiality, integrity, ethics and professionalism.? 
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people, including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.? 

Technical 

• Expert knowledge and understanding of the Customs Act and other tax laws and their impact on business, international trade and economics.? 
• Expert knowledge and understanding of Customs Operations.? 
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of applied risk assessment.?? 
• Excellent understanding of international trade practices and processes.? 
• Good understanding and technical knowledge of Classification and Valuation procedures? 
• Excellent command of the use of the ASYCUDA World software application.? 
• Expert technical knowledge of Warehouse procedures.? 
• Understanding the application of information technology solutions to organisational problems and the fundamentals of ICT-based analytical tools.? 
• Sound understanding and experience in the management of limited resources to achieve challenging output targets. 

? 

Minimum Required Education and Experience? 

• First degree in Public Administration, Management Studies or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences.? 
• At least one (1) years' experience in an operational position, including experience in applying the Customs Act and related legislation.? 
• Line Officer’s Training 
• Specialized training in profiling, risk assessment, and arrest and restraint techniques.? 

?? 

?? Special Conditions Associated with The Job?? ?? 

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard equipment and specialised software.??? 
• The environment is fast-paced, with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines, which will result in high degrees of pressure on occasions.??? 
• May be required to work long hours (>40 hours weekly) over protracted periods.?? 
• Strenuous job involving a high degree of interaction with and response to the public.? 
• Irregular and unscheduled working hours, on-call twenty-four (24) hours.?? 
• Exposure to heat, dust, dirt, hazardous substances, and inclement weather condition.?? 
• Exposure to disagreeable and hazardous conditions.?? 
• Frequent outdoor excursions are required.??