Border Patrol Agent

About the role

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employs more than 69,000 officers and is the largest federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. As a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) you will be a Federal Law Enforcement Officer responsible for preventing terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. CBP is hiring full‑time, entry‑ and mid‑level career positions where your education or prior experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Detect and question individuals suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers by maintaining surveillance from covert positions, including night operations with infrared scopes.
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband.
• Conduct farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol the international boundary and coastal waterways using government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off‑road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Primary U.S. residency (including protectorates) for at least three of the last five years.
• Age restriction: must be referred for selection before reaching the 40th birthday (exceptions apply for veterans’ preference eligibility or current federal civilian law‑enforcement positions covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 8412(d)).
• Veterans’ Preference eligibility may exempt the age restriction.
• Completion of approximately six months of intensive training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico.
• Ability to speak and read Spanish (training provided at the Academy).

Qualifications

Grade‑level eligibility 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 under stress, learn regulations, and gather information via questioning/observation; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a combination of experience and education.
• GL‑7: 1 year of specialized experience showing sound judgments with firearms, courteous and tactful dealings, rapid analysis and prompt decision‑making for arrests; OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, honor society); OR 1 year of graduate‑level study in a related field; OR a combination.
• GL‑9: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, performing physical searches of detainees and their vehicles, apprehending violators, firearm proficiency, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders, and gathering evidence.
• GS‑11: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, with authority to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes; duties include using intelligence to track illegal operations, leading investigations, and apprehending violators using complex technology (surveillance, detection, situation‑awareness systems, communications equipment).

Skills

• Knowledge of Immigration and Nationality Law (e.g., non‑immigrant and immigrant classifications, inadmissible/removable noncitizens, derivative citizenship, 8 USC).
• Knowledge of the Use of Force Policy (firearms, less‑lethal devices, qualification requirements).
• Knowledge of Criminal Law and Procedure (statutory authority).
• Skill in Using Physical Techniques (self‑defense, baton, OC spray, PLS).
• Skill in Using Firearms (handgun, shotgun, M‑4).
• Skills in Basic Operation of a Motor Vehicle (everyday use, parallel parking).

Benefits

• Health, dental and other insurance plans.
• Generous annual and sick leave program.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k)).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000