Border Patrol Agent

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. CBP is urgently hiring full‑time entry and mid‑level career positions where education or prior experience in public safety, security, military police or law enforcement may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers at or near the borders; maintain 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.
• Perform 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.

Qualifications

You may qualify for various grade levels 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; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a 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 1 year of graduate‑level education in a related field; OR combination of experience and education.
• 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