Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level

About the role

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is hiring for full-time, entry-level positions in federal law enforcement. These roles require 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 and conducting night operations using infrared scopes.
• 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

• GL-5: One year of general work experience or a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• GL-7: One year of specialized work experience or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, or one full year of graduate-level education in a field of study related to law enforcement.

Qualifications

• 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 before turning 40.
• Veterans’ Preference: Eligible for Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).
• Formal Training: Detailed at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico.

Benefits

• Annual Base Salary ranging from $51,632 to $92,912 per year.
• Exceptional benefits including health, dental, and other insurance plans, generous leave programs, 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.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and other insurance plans.
• A generous annual and sick leave program.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Recruitment Incentive

Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location.

Prioritized Locations

• Sierra Blanca, TX;
• Presidio, TX;
• Sanderson, TX;
• Comstock, TX;
• Lordsburg, NM;
• Freer, TX;
• Hebbronville, TX;
• Ajo, AZ;

Relocation

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

Pay Reform Act of 2014

A fully trained Border Patrol Agent may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014.

Grade Progression

• GL-5
• GL-7
• GL-9
• GS-11
• GS-12

Duty Locations

• Big Bend Sector Stations - Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley Island
• Del Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector Stations - Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• El Centro Sector Stations - El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina
• Havre Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector Stations - Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Laredo West, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations - Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
• Swanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
• Tucson Sector Stations - Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox
• Yuma Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton