NATIONWIDE OPENINGS INCLUDING NORTHERN BORDER STATIONS – APPLY TODAY

CURRENT OR PRIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT – Applicants with current or prior law enforcement experience can enter on duty at higher grade levels (GL 9–GS 11). See details below.

EARN UP TO $30,000 IN RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES

Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered a $20,000 recruitment incentive. The first $10,000 to be paid upon successfully completing training at the Border Patrol Academy and the remainder to be paid after completing a three-year service agreement. Additionally, new agents accepting a hard to fill duty location will be eligible for an additional $10,000 (see Duty Locations section, below).

Salary and Benefits

Salary for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents varies from $48,809–$87,838 (GL 5 - 7) and from $61,965–$117,896 (GL 9 – GS 11) depending upon grade-level, duty location, and work schedule, including overtime. A fully trained Border Patrol Agent 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 re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level. All agents receive the full package of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional 401(k) offering.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a Border Patrol Agent (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 Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical activities include:

• Detecting, preventing, and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the land borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions.
• Responding to electronic sensor alarms; interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence; using infrared scopes during night operations.
• Responding to aircraft sighting and other anti-smuggling activities and performing farm and ranch checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways and using a variety of Government assets for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission. These assets may include, but are not limited to motor vehicles, horses, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.

Occasional travel may be required based on operational needs.

Duty Locations–NATIONWIDE OPENINGS–Apply Today

$10K Recruitment Incentive for these hard to fill locations: Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Freer, and Hebbronville, TX; Lordsburg, NM; and Ajo, AZ. All incentive recipients will be required to sign a three-year service agreement. Duty assignments at time of offer are made based on operational needs and requirements and are determined by the U.S. Border Patrol. The duty location offered in your final offer letter may include any location within the region.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following:

• Experience: One 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;
• 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 or college or university;
• Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general work experience AND successfully completed college education.

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; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as training others, managing finances, code enforcement, doing compliance work, corrections, security, military, emergency responders, etc.;
• 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.

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 or GS-11 grade level.

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.

Veterans' Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).

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, drivers training, physical techniques, firearms, and other courses. Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English. 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 page. For Position of Interest select Border Patrol Agent, then complete the pre-screening questions. You will then be provided with links to the 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 opening announcement and follow all instructions in the application process. If you have questions about the application process, contact a recruiter through the U.S. Border Patrol page: careers.cbp.gov/s/usbp, and check the CBP calendar at cbp.gov/cbp-events-calendar frequently for upcoming informational webinars, in-person recruiter events, and virtual career events. Interested in other career opportunities with CBP? Visit careers.cbp.gov.