Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level at US Customs and Border Protection

Border Patrol Agent

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Duty assignments available at time of offer may include the Southwest Border including remote or hard-to-fill locations. 

USBP determines duty assignments at time of offer based on operational needs which may or may not align with candidates’ first-choice preferences. Relocation may be required. 

$10K Recruitment Incentive for these hard-to-fill locations: Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Freer, and Hebbronville, TX; Lordsburg, NM; and Ajo, AZ. Eligibility for this incentive includes a three-year service agreement. 

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 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. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring immediately for these full-time career opportunities. 

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. 

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 Border Patrol Agents may select from an array 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 similar 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 to accomplish the United States Border Patrol mission. 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. 

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; 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 or college or university; OR will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within nine (9) months from the closing date of this announcement and will upload all official or unofficial transcripts before the closing date of this announcement; 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; 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.; OR 

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 within nine (9) months from the closing date of this announcement; OR 

A Combination of Experience and Education: This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. 

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. 

You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: 

• Performing physical searches of detained individuals, their vehicles, and their immediate surroundings for weapons, contraband, currency, and other evidence. 

• Apprehending or physically restraining violators of state, federal, or immigration laws. 

• Preparing investigative reports, serving court orders (e.g., warrants, subpoenas, etc.) and gathering evidence for criminal cases prosecuted through the court system. 

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: 

• Developing and utilizing intelligence information to track illegal operations and/or contraband. 

• Leading investigations of fraud, contraband, and/or illegal operations to determine sources and patterns. 

• Utilizing various forms of complex technology that includes surveillance, detection, situation awareness systems, and communications equipment to aid in the apprehension of violators of state, federal, or immigration laws. 

• Communicating assignments and training peers on the application of the appropriate law enforcement problem-solving methods, investigative techniques, and other law enforcement procedures. 

• Working with law enforcement officials or government agencies to identify and/or apprehend violators of state, federal, or immigration laws. 

There are no education substitutions for the GL 9 and GS 11 positions. 

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, 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.