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 a chance to join an elite team dedicated to protecting America.

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.
• Maintain surveillance from covert positions, including using infrared scopes during night operations.
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol the international boundary and coastal waterways using various 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 and make prompt decisions.
• 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 as outlined above.
• GL-7: Experience or education as outlined above, plus 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 and make prompt decisions.
• GL-9 and GS-11: Previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience.

Benefits

• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives, including:
• Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive, with the first $10,000 paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, and the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location.
• Up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over the first four years.

Pay

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed BPAs 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. Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others.

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 in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03.
• Veterans’ Preference: Eligible for Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).
• Formal Training: After being hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction.

How to Apply

Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network registration page. For Position of Interest, select Border Patrol Agent, then complete the pre-screening questions. You’ll then receive a link(s) to the BPA Job Opening Announcements (JOAs) on USAJOBS, the federal government’s official employment site, to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opportunity announcement and follow all instructions in the application process, including items (resume, transcripts, etc.) to submit. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the BPA Entrance Exam.