Border Patrol Agent

U.S. Customs and Border Protection · Comstock, TX · 2 days ago

Information Technology$52k–$125k/yrFull-time

About the role

With more than 69,000 employees, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and the largest federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. CBP protects the United States by preventing terrorists and their weapons from entering the country while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. As a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) within CBP, you will be a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. CBP is urgently hiring to fill full-time, entry and mid-level, career positions where your education or prior general experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement may qualify.

Responsibilities

Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions, including using infrared scopes during night operations
Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband
Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission

Pay

Selections from this announcement will be at the GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, or GS-11 grade levels with promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, from $51,632 to $124,717 per year.

Recruitment Incentive: Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to $20,000. The first $10,000 is paid upon successful completion of the academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location.
Retention Incentive: Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $30,000 in additional incentives distributed over the next three years.
Additional $10,000 Recruitment Incentive for selecting a prioritized location at the time of final offer (total of $20,000). Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.

Benefits

Health, dental, and other insurance plans
Generous annual and sick leave program
Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional Roth 401(k)

Duty locations

Assignments are available across multiple sectors. Prioritized locations (marked with *) are eligible for the additional $10,000 recruitment incentive.

Big Bend Sector: Alpine, Marfa, Presidio, *Sanderson, *Sierra Blanca
Blaine Sector: Blaine, Bellingham, Port Angeles, Sumas
Buffalo Sector: *Oswego
Del Rio Sector: *Comstock
El Paso Sector: Deming, *Lordsburg
Grand Forks Sector: Bottineau, International Falls, Pembina, Portal, Warroad
Havre Sector: Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
Houlton Sector: Calais, Houlton, Rangeley, Van Buren
Laredo Sector: Laredo West, *Hebbronville, *Freer
New Orleans Sector: Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, New Orleans
San Diego Sector: Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo
Swanton Sector: Beecher Falls, Massena, Newport, Ogdensburg, Richford, Swanton
Tucson Sector: Douglas, Brian A Terry, Three Points Substation
Yuma Sector: *Blythe, *Ajo

Note: If prioritized locations do not have vacancies at the time of final offer, you may be offered a different duty location within the United States.

Qualifications

GL-5 grade level

Experience: One year of general work experience demonstrating the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations; learn regulations, methods, and techniques through classroom training and/or on-the-job instruction; and gather concise information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records.
Education substitution: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Combination of experience and education: Calculated using resume and official or unofficial transcripts.

GL-7 grade level

Experience: One year of specialized work experience showing skills to make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as criminal code enforcement, determining violations of laws, correctional or rehabilitation work involving criminal offenders, security, military, etc.
Education substitution: A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0, or honor society membership), or one full year of graduate-level education in a field related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university.
Combination of experience and education: Calculated using resume and official or unofficial transcripts.

GL-9 grade level

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: performing physical searches of detained individuals, their vehicles, and their immediate surroundings for weapons, contraband, currency, and other evidence; apprehending, physically restraining, or working with law enforcement officials to identify or apprehend violators of state, federal, or immigration laws; proficiency in the use of firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders (e.g., warrants, subpoenas), and gathering evidence for criminal cases prosecuted through the court system.

GS-11 grade level

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, with authority granted by the state or government to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes, performing primary duties in an official law enforcement capacity such as: utilizing intelligence information to track illegal operations, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or contraband while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official; leading investigations of fraud, contraband, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or illegal operations to determine sources and patterns while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official; apprehending violators of state, federal, or immigration laws by utilizing various forms of complex technology including surveillance, detection, situation awareness systems, and/or communications equipment.

Note: Previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience may qualify you at the GL-9 and/or GS-11 grade level. All experience will be applied in connection with the Border Patrol Individual Occupational Requirement: make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.

Skills

Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements for the GL-9 or GS-11 grade levels are required to possess the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs):

Knowledge of Immigration and Nationality Law (e.g., non-immigrant classifications, immigrant classifications, inadmissible noncitizens, removable noncitizens, derivative citizenship, 8 USC)
Knowledge of the Use of Force Policy (e.g., firearms, less-lethal devices and techniques, qualification requirements)
Knowledge of Criminal Law and Procedure (e