Border Patrol Agent

U.S. Customs and Border Protection · North Dakota, United States · 4 wk ago

$52k–$125k/yrFull-time

About the role

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. As a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) you will be a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer profession, protecting the United States by preventing terrorists and their weapons from entering while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.

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

Requirements

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have had primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years, and meet age restrictions (must be referred for selection before reaching 40th birthday, with exceptions for certain federal civilian law enforcement or veterans’ preference). Formal training includes approximately six months at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, with Spanish language proficiency training.

Qualifications

Eligibility for grade levels is based on experience, education, or a combination:

GL‑5: 1 year of general work experience demonstrating ability to take charge, make sound decisions, maintain composure, learn regulations, and gather information; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR combination of experience and education.
GL‑7: 1 year of specialized work experience showing ability to make sound judgments with firearms, deal courteously with people, analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥3.0, honor society); OR one full year of graduate‑level education in a related field; OR combination.
GL‑9: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, performing physical searches, apprehending violators, proficiency with firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders, gathering evidence.
GS‑11: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, with authority to enforce laws, make arrests, investigate crimes; duties include using intelligence to track illegal operations, leading investigations of fraud/contraband, apprehending violators using complex technology.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs) for GL‑9/GS‑11 candidates include knowledge of immigration and nationality law, use‑of‑force policy, criminal law and procedure; skill in physical techniques, firearms, basic motor vehicle operation.

Benefits

Federal employment benefits include health, dental and other insurance plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (a retirement plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k)).

Recruitment incentive: newly appointed BPAs may receive up to $20,000 – $10,000 upon successful academy completion and the remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location. Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.

Retention incentive: newly appointed BPAs may also qualify for up to $30,000 in additional incentives distributed over the next three years.

Pay

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