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 require prior experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement.

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 of noncitizens at or near the borders.
• Use surveillance from covert positions, including infrared scopes, during night operations.
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol 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.
• A combination of general work experience and successfully completed college education.
• 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 experience and education.

Qualifications

• GL-5: Experience or education as outlined above.
• GL-7: Experience or education as outlined above, plus 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.
• GL-9 and GS-11: Previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience.

Benefits

• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives (recruitment and retention).
• 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.

Pay

• Annual Base Salary varying per grade level.

Schedule

• Full-time positions.

Relocation

Relocation may be required. Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others.

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 referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday.
• Veterans’ Preference: Eligible for Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).
• Formal Training: After being hired, detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy for approximately six months of intensive instruction.
• Language Proficiency: Ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English.