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 offer excellent base pay, exceptional benefits, and significant incentives.

Responsibilities

• Detect and question people 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.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol the international boundary 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 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 equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and have had primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching 40th birthday.

Qualifications

• GL-5 grade level: Experience or education as outlined.
• GL-7 grade level: Experience or education as outlined, plus superior academic achievement.

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.

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. Relocation may be required.

Age Restriction

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. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans’ Preference

You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.

Formal Training

After you are hired, you will be detailed to 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, USBP-specific operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and other courses.