About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Legal.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role overview

Confidential Client is recruiting for full-time, entry-level Border Patrol Agent (BPA) positions (GL-5 / GL-7). This is a federal law-enforcement career track with structured grade progression, career training, and opportunities for locality pay and recruitment/retention incentives. Successful candidates will complete a multi-month academy and perform operational patrol, investigative, and interdiction duties at U.S. borders and ports of entry.

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What you’ll do

As a Border Patrol Agent, you will help secure borders and prevent illicit activity. Typical responsibilities include:

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspecting documents and possessions
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers, including covert surveillance and nighttime operations using infrared scopes
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles
• Exercising judgment in use of firearms and making arrests following required training

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Qualifications

You may qualify at GL-5 or GL-7 depending on experience/education. Typical minimums:

• GL-5 (entry): One year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, sound decision-making under stress, and ability to learn through classroom/on-the-job training; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a combination of education and experience.
• GL-7: One year of specialized experience such as law enforcement, corrections, security, or military police demonstrating judgment in firearms use, ability to deal tactfully with the public on law enforcement matters, and rapid information analysis; OR superior academic achievement in a bachelor’s degree or one year graduate-level study in a relevant field; OR combination of education and experience.
• Spanish language ability is desirable; academy training includes Spanish language instruction.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Must be referred for selection before the 40th birthday unless an exception applies (e.g., certain prior federal law enforcement or veteran status). This is a bona fide occupational requirement for this role.
• Veterans’ preference and certain veteran hiring authorities may apply.

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Required clearances, training & conditions

• Successful candidates will attend the Border Patrol Academy (approximately six months) for intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, firearms, driving, physical techniques, and agency-specific operations.
• Background investigation, medical, and fitness standards apply.
• Ability to travel and relocate as required by duty assignment; some assignments are in prioritized/remote locations.

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Compensation & benefits

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed BPAs: $51,632 – $92,912 (GL-5 / GL-7; locality pay varies by duty location).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after academy completion; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for qualifying hires.
• Federal benefits package including health, dental, retirement (Thrift Savings Plan), and generous annual/sick leave.
• Eligible for career-ladder promotions (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) after required time-in-grade.

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Duty locations & assignment notes

• Duty assignments cover a broad set of sectors including Southwest Border prioritized locations and other domestic sectors. Examples include (not exhaustive): Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Lordsburg, Ajo, Tucson, San Diego sector stations, Del Rio, El Paso, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Yuma, and others.
• Assignments are based on operational needs and may require relocation. Locality pay and additional BPA pay reform incentives may apply depending on assignment.

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What makes a strong candidate

• Demonstrated resilience, sound judgment, and ability to make decisions under pressure
• Law enforcement, security, corrections, or military experience (preferred for higher grade consideration)
• Strong communication, observation, and investigative instincts
• Willingness to work irregular hours, travel, and relocate for duty assignments

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Recruiter note (Careertakes)

Careertakes is supporting this hiring process as a third-party recruiting platform. We screen for fit and can share additional matched opportunities on our platform. Final hiring decisions are made by the confidential client.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.