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Job Description: Border Patrol Agent (BPA) / Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)

About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with more than 69,000 employees, is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and the largest federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

CBP protects the United States against terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, agricultural threats, and other security risks while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. CBP employees uphold the core values of Vigilance, Service to Country, and Integrity.

CBP is urgently recruiting for full-time, entry-level and mid-level federal law enforcement careers as a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) or Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO). Candidates with qualifying education or experience in public safety, security, military police, law enforcement, or related fields may be eligible.

These positions offer competitive salaries, federal employment benefits, career advancement opportunities, job stability, and potential recruitment incentives at designated locations.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on the assigned position, typical responsibilities include:

Border Security and Patrol: Patrol international borders and coastal waterways using government vehicles, vessels, motorcycles, ATVs, horses, snowmobiles, and other equipment.

Law Enforcement: Enforce applicable immigration, customs, agriculture, and other federal laws and regulations.

Inspections and Screening: Inspect individuals, documents, vehicles, conveyances, merchandise, and personal belongings to identify violations and determine admissibility into the United States.

Detection and Prevention: Identify and prevent illegal entry, human and drug smuggling, contraband trafficking, and other unlawful activities.

Surveillance and Investigations: Monitor suspicious activity, analyze intelligence, interpret physical evidence, conduct interviews, and identify potential threats.

Apprehension and Enforcement: Detain or apprehend suspected violators, conduct searches, gather evidence, prepare reports, and take appropriate enforcement action.

Trade and Travel Compliance: Facilitate legitimate international travel and trade while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Operational Assignments: Perform patrols, traffic checks, farm and building checks, transportation checks, and inspections at land borders, airports, seaports, and other designated locations.

Salary and Benefits

Salary depends on the position, grade level, duty location, and applicable federal pay rates.

Position

Entry and Mid-Level Grades

Promotion Potential

Annual Base Salary*

Border Patrol Agent (BPA)

GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11

GS-12

$51,632–$124,717

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)

GS-5, GS-7, GS-9

GS-11 and GS-12

$41,863–$127,464

Salary ranges are based on the supplied job descriptions and may vary by location and pay adjustments. Verify current rates before publication.

Eligible employees may receive:

Federal health, dental, and other insurance benefits.

Annual leave and sick leave.

Retirement benefits and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

Career development and advancement opportunities.

Position-specific recruitment incentives.

For fully trained CBP Officers, potential overtime pay of up to $45,000, subject to applicable rules and availability.

Recruitment and Retention Incentives

Border Patrol Agent (BPA)

Eligible newly appointed agents may receive up to $20,000 in recruitment incentives.

The first $10,000 is payable upon successful completion of the academy, and an additional $10,000 may be available for selecting a designated prioritized location at the final offer.

Eligible agents may also qualify for up to $30,000 in additional retention incentives over three years, subject to applicable terms.

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)

Eligible newly appointed officers selecting designated prioritized locations may receive up to $15,000 per year under a three-year or four-year service agreement, depending on the location and applicable recruitment announcement.

Incentive eligibility, payment schedules, service commitments, and designated locations are subject to the official vacancy announcement and final offer.

Duty Locations

Candidates may be assigned to locations throughout the United States based on operational needs and available vacancies.

Border Patrol Agent locations include:

Arizona: Ajo, Douglas, Three Points and other Tucson and Yuma Sector locations.

California: Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo and other San Diego Sector locations.

New Mexico: Deming, Lordsburg and other El Paso Sector locations.

Texas: Alpine, Marfa, Presidio, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Comstock, Laredo West, Hebbronville and Freer.

Other states: Washington, New York, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Maine, Vermont, Louisiana and additional designated sector locations.

Customs and Border Protection Officer locations include:

Arizona: Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales and San Luis.

California: Andrade, Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro and Tecate.

Texas: Eagle Pass and Presidio.

Florida and Hawaii: Key West and Honolulu.

Other states: Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Vermont and Washington.

The above locations are drawn from the supplied descriptions and are not exhaustive. If a preferred location has no vacancy at the time of the final offer, candidates may be offered another location in the United States based on mission requirements.

Qualifications

Candidates may qualify through a combination of education, general work experience, specialized experience, or relevant law enforcement experience. Requirements differ by position and grade.

Border Patrol Agent (BPA)

GL-5 — Entry Level

Candidates must meet one of the following:

One year of general work experience demonstrating sound judgment, decision-making, composure under pressure, and the ability to learn and apply procedures.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

A qualifying combination of general work experience and college education.

GL-7 — Advanced Entry Level

Candidates must meet one of the following:

One year of specialized experience involving sound judgment, firearms-related decision-making, effective interpersonal skills, rapid analysis, and law enforcement, security, military, or related duties.

A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA), or one year of qualifying graduate-level education in a related field.

A qualifying combination of specialized experience and education.

GL-9 — Experienced Candidates

Candidates generally need one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, including relevant duties such as:

Searching detained individuals, vehicles, and surrounding areas for weapons, contraband, currency, and evidence.

Apprehending or restraining suspected violators of applicable laws.

Using firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving legal documents, or collecting evidence for criminal proceedings.

GS-11 — Experienced Law Enforcement Candidates

Candidates generally need one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in an official law enforcement capacity, including:

Tracking criminal activity, threats, contraband, or illegal operations using intelligence.

Leading investigations to identify criminal activity, sources, and patterns.

Apprehending violators using surveillance, detection systems, and communications technology.

Relevant knowledge and skills may include immigration law, criminal law and procedure, use-of-force policy, firearms proficiency, physical techniques, and basic motor vehicle operation.

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)

GS-5 — Entry Level

Candidates must meet one of the following:

Three years of general experience, including at least one year equivalent to GS-4, involving work with people and the ability to learn and apply information.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

A qualifying combination of general experience and education.

GS-7 — Advanced Entry Level

Candidates must meet one of the following:

One year of specialized experience involving inspections, document or goods examination, application of laws and regulations, and enforcement decisions.

A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement, or one year of qualifying graduate-level education.

A qualifying combination of specialized experience and education.

GS-9 — Experienced Candidates

Candidates generally need one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, including duties such as:

Detaining suspected violators or making arrests using appropriate law enforcement methods.

Enforcing laws and regulations involving imports, exports, and international shipping.

Using intelligence and behavioral analysis to identify potential threats and assess risks.

Conducting law enforcement interviews to obtain information and determine appropriate action.

Candidates may also qualify through a master's degree or higher, qualifying graduate-level education, an LL.B. or J.D., or an eligible combination of education and experience.

General Qualification Considerations

For either position, the relevant vacancy announcement determines whether education, experience, or a combination satisfies the requirements. Candidates must submit a resume and any required academic transcripts or supporting documentation.

General Employment Requirements

Candidates should review the official announcement for the specific position before applying.

U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Residency: Applicants must generally have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years, subject to applicable rules.

Age Requirements: These positions are subject to federal law enforcement age restrictions. The general requirement is referral for selection before age 40, with applicable exceptions for qualifying prior federal civilian law enforcement service and eligible veterans. The precise rule depends on the position and appointment authority.

Background and Suitability: Candidates must meet applicable federal background investigation, suitability, and other employment requirements.

Veterans: Eligible candidates may qualify for applicable veterans' preference or Veterans Recruitment Appointment provisions.

Physical and Law Enforcement Requirements: Candidates must meet the applicable medical, physical, firearms, and law enforcement training requirements.

Academy and Training

Border Patrol Agent (BPA): Newly hired agents attend approximately six months of training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. Training covers immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement techniques, firearms, and Border Patrol operations. Training in Spanish is provided to develop the required language proficiency.

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO): Newly hired officers attend approximately 103 days of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glyn