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. Candidates with prior experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Deterring illicit activity and ensuring border security
• Inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers
• Maintaining surveillance and conducting night operations using infrared scopes
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Performing various types of checks including farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles

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 to make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms, deal effectively with people in a courteous manner, and analyze 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
• One year of law enforcement or military law enforcement experience

Qualifications

• GL-5: Experience or education
• GL-7: Experience or education with superior academic achievement
• GL-9 and GS-11: Experience or education with superior academic achievement or graduate-level education in a related field

Benefits

• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives
• Excellent base pay
• Generous annual and sick leave program
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan

Pay

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

Schedule

• Opportunities for promotion to the next higher grade level (without reapplying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level

Benefits

• Retirement benefits
• Health, dental, and other insurance plans

Relocation

• May be required

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)