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 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.
• A combination of general work experience and education, or a combination of experience and education, as calculated using the applicant's resume and official or unofficial transcripts.

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.
• GL-9 and GS-11: Previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience.

Benefits

• Annual Base Salary for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents 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, ranging from $51,632 to $92,912 per year.
• This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12.
• You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without reapplying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level.

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.
• Veterans’ Preference: Eligible for Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).
• Formal Training: After being hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy for approximately six months of intensive instruction.

How to Apply

To apply, click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network registration page. Select Border Patrol Agent, complete the pre-screening questions, and receive a link(s) to the BPA Job Opening Announcements (JOAs) on USAJOBS. Follow all instructions in the application process, including submitting your resume, transcripts, etc.