Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level

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, Presidio, Sanderson,

Comstock, Freer, and Hebbronville, TX; 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 courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters;

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

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. 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. If you have questions about

the application process, contact a recruiter through the U.S.

Border Patrol page : careers.cbp.gov / s / usbp. As a subscriber to the

CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails with information

about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with

CBP.