Border Patrol Agent - Law Enforcement

About the role

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and the largest federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. As a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) you will be a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer profession, protecting the United States by preventing terrorists and their weapons from entering while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.

Responsibilities

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions, including using infrared scopes during night operations
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off‑road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles

Requirements

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, have had primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years, and meet the age restriction (referred for selection before reaching 40th birthday, with exceptions for certain federal civilian law enforcement or veterans’ preference). Formal training includes approximately six months at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, and proficiency in Spanish and English is required.

Qualifications

Entry levels are based on education or experience:

• GL‑5: 1 year of general work experience demonstrating ability to take charge, make sound decisions, maintain composure, learn regulations, and gather information; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a combination of experience and education.
• GL‑7: 1 year of specialized work experience showing ability to make sound judgments with firearms, deal effectively with people, analyze information rapidly, and make prompt decisions; OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥3.0, honor society); OR one full year of graduate‑level education in a related field; OR combination of experience and education.
• GL‑9: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, performing physical searches, apprehending violators, proficiency with firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders, and gathering evidence.
• GS‑11: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, with authority to enforce laws, make arrests, investigate crimes, utilizing intelligence, leading investigations, and using complex technology for surveillance and detection.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs)

• Knowledge of Immigration and Nationality Law
• Knowledge of the Use of Force Policy
• Knowledge of Criminal Law and Procedure
• Skill in Using Physical Techniques (self‑defense, baton, OC spray, PLS)
• Skill in Using Firearms (handgun, shotgun, M‑4)
• Skills in Basic Operation of a Motor Vehicle (everyday use, parallel parking)

Benefits

• Health, dental and other insurance plans
• Generous annual and sick leave program
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k))
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,00