Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level

About the role

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is hiring immediate entry-level positions for federal law enforcement careers. These roles are open to those with prior experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Deterring and questioning individuals suspected of violating immigration and customs laws.
• Inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Maintaining surveillance from covert positions, including using infrared scopes at night.
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling the international border and coastal waterways using various government assets.

Requirements

• One year of general work experience demonstrating the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations.
• One year of specialized work experience showing skills necessary for making sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms, dealing effectively with people in a courteous manner, and analyzing information rapidly.
• 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.
• One full year of graduate-level education in a field of study related to law enforcement from an accredited college or university.
• A combination of general work experience and education, calculated using the applicant's resume and official or unofficial transcripts.

Qualifications

• GL-5: Experience, education, or combination of experience and education.
• GL-7: Experience, education, or combination of experience and education, with a bachelor's degree and superior academic achievement.

Benefits

• Annual Base Salary ranging from $51,632 to $92,912 per year.
• Exceptional benefits including health, dental, and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.
• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives, including a $20,000 recruitment incentive and up to $40,000 in retention incentives over the first four years.

Pay

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents varies per grade, as follows: GL-5/GL-7 $51,632- $92,912 per year.

Schedule

U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates’ first-choice preferences. Relocation may be required. Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others.

Benefits

• Retirement benefits under law enforcement provisions.
• Age restriction applies until the candidate reaches their 40th birthday, but may not apply if the candidate is currently serving or has previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).
• Veterans' preference eligibility.

Other Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Residency: Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age Restriction: Must be younger than 40 years old at the time of hire.
• Formal Training: After being hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six months of intensive instruction.
• Language Proficiency: Ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English.