Border Patrol Agent (BPA) GL-5 / 7 grade levels
IMPORTANT NOTICE : Duty assignments available
at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including
prioritized locations.
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.
EARN UP TO
$30,000 IN RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES — Newly appointed
Border Patrol Agents (BPA) will be offered a $20,000 incentive. The
first $10,000 to be paid upon successfully completing training at
the Border Patrol Academy, and the remainder to be paid in full
after completing a three-year service agreement. New BPAs accepting
a prioritized location (Sierra Blanca,
Lordsburg, NM; or Ajo, AZ) will be eligible for an additional
$10,000.
Applicants currently in
pre-employment do not need to reapply to be eligible for the
incentive.
The U.S. Border
Patrol (USBP) offers those interested in a career in law
enforcement an opportunity to work with an elite team of highly
trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are
hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America.
If you seek an exciting and rewarding job that
provides excellent pay, exceptional federal benefits, and job
stability, now is the time to make your move. U.S. Border Patrol
(USBP), within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is
hiring immediately for these full-time,
entry-level , career Law Enforcement
Officer (LEO) opportunities.
Salary and
Benefits
Annual Base Salary for
newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, as follows :
GL-5 / GL-7 $49,739 - $89,518 per year
Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay
for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than
others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional
25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. 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.
Border Patrol Agents are eligible to select from
an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental
and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave
program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement
plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k) offering.
Duties and
Responsibilities
As a BPA, you
will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the
American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit
activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a
BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement
Officer (LEO) profession.
Typical assignments
include :
Detecting and questioning people
suspected of violating immigration and custom 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 to
include 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 for the accomplishment of the USBP
Mission.
Qualifications
You
qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the
following :
Experience : One (1) year of general
work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make
sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations; to
learn regulations, methods, and techniques through classroom
training and / or on-the-job instruction; and the ability to gather
concise information through questioning, observation, and
examination of documents and records; OR
Education
Substitution : 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; OR
Combination of Experience and
Education : A combination of general work experience
AND successfully completed college education. This will be
calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts
submitted with your application.
You qualify for the GL-7 grade
level if you possess one of the following :
Experience : One year of
specialized work experience that shows you have the skills
necessary to :
Make sound judgments and
decisions in the use of firearms.
Deal
effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner in
connection with law enforcement matters.
Analyze information rapidly and make prompt
decisions where you will be expected to make arrests after the
completion of required training and apply these skills in a law
enforcement capacity such as criminal code enforcement, determining
violations of laws, correctional or rehabilitation work involving
criminal offenders, security, military, etc.
The above experience will be applied in
connection with the following : Make arrests and exercise sound
judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a
analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop
and maintain contact with a network of informants.
Education Substitution for the
GL-7 grade level : A bachelor's degree with superior
academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2)
grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible
4.0), or (3) honor society membership. Or will receive 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 (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice
studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic
technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation)
from an accredited college or university; OR
A Combination of Experience and
Education : This will be calculated using your resume and official
or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.
Note : If you have
previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement
experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 and or GS-11 grade level.
Please refer to the BPA GL-9 - 11 announcement.
Other
Requirements
Citizenship : You must
be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
Residency : You
must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as
declared under international law) for at least three of the last
five years.
Age Restriction :
In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this
position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions.
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 and USBP-specific
operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and
other courses. Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and
read Spanish, as well as English. Border Patrol Agents will be
provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language at
the Academy.
Border Patrol Agent Entry Level • South Padre Island, TX, US