Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level

About the role

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is hiring for full-time, entry-level, career positions in federal law enforcement. These positions are ideal for those with prior experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Deterring illicit activity and protecting the American people by safeguarding our borders.
• Inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Maintaining surveillance and conducting night operations to prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers.
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using various government assets.
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Participating in farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.

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.
• A combination of general work experience and successfully completed college education.
• A combination of experience and education for the GL-7 grade level, including 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

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

Skills

Ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English. Proficiency with the Spanish language will be provided through training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy.

Benefits

• Annual Base Salary for newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, 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. Duty locations impact pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others.

Benefits

• Formal training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement, and USBP-specific operations.
• Opportunities for career advancement within the Border Patrol Agent career ladder position, with grades progressing from GL-5 to GS-12.