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 compliance with 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

• One year of general work experience or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement.
• Specialized work experience or a bachelor's degree with a focus in law enforcement.
• Ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Not older than 40 years of age.

Qualifications

• GL-5: One year of general work experience or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement.
• GL-7: One year of specialized work experience or a bachelor's degree with a focus in law enforcement.
• GL-9 and GS-11: Previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience.

Benefits

• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives.
• Excellent base pay ranging from $51,632 to $92,912 per year.
• A generous annual and sick leave program.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Pay

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

Schedule

• Full-time, entry-level, career positions.

Benefits

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

New Hire Sign-On and Retention Incentives

• 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 include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.
• Additionally, newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.

Duty Locations

• Available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations.
• 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.

Other Requirements

• Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age Restriction: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03.
• Veterans’ Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).