CBP Officer and Agriculture Specialist: Preparation Manual for the In-Basket Job Simulation

The In-Basket Job Simulation is one of the assessments in the Competency-Based Promotional Assessment System. During the In-Basket Job Simulation, you will be asked to assume the role of supervisor or manager in a fictional port. You will receive background information about the facility, the staff, and the major issues facing the facility. In addition, you will be presented with a series of voice mail messages and e-mail messages that have accumulated in your in-basket. You must read these materials and then outline your strategies for solving problems, making decisions, developing plans, evaluating progress, delegating responsibilities, setting priorities, and informing others. After completing your review of the introductory materials and in-basket documents, you must answer a series of multiple-choice questions that ask how you would handle the situations presented in the in-basket materials. Each question addresses one or more of the management competencies described in the next section of this manual.