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, Federal law enforcement — border protection.

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

---

What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is recruiting entry-level Border Patrol Agents to join a federal law enforcement team focused on safeguarding borders, deterring illicit activity, and protecting communities. This is a hands-on, mission-driven role that combines field operations, investigations, and community contact.

• Detect, question, and inspect people and items suspected of violating immigration and customs laws.
• Conduct surveillance (including night operations with infrared scopes) and covert observation to detect smuggling and illegal entry.
• Interpret physical evidence (tracks, marks) and perform building, farm, vehicle, and transportation checks.
• Patrol land and coastal boundaries using vehicles, horses, watercraft, ATVs, motorcycles, and other government assets.
• Make arrests and process detentions following training and legal guidelines.
• Write clear, concise reports and coordinate with other law enforcement partners.

---

Qualifications

You may qualify for different entry grades depending on experience and education:

GL-5 (Entry) — one of:

• One year of general work experience showing ability to take charge, make sound decisions in stressful situations, learn procedures, and gather information through observation and questioning.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university.
• A combination of relevant experience and college coursework (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

GL-7 (Specialized Entry) — one of:

• One year of specialized work experience demonstrating judgment and decision-making in firearms use, effective people skills in law enforcement contexts, rapid analysis of information, and arrest authority from training or work (e.g., criminal code enforcement, corrections, security, military police).
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA, class standing, or honor society), or one year of graduate-level study in a law-enforcement-related field.
• A combination of specialized experience and education as documented on your resume/transcripts.

Prior law enforcement or military police experience may qualify you for higher entry grades (GL-9 / GS-11).

• Preferred skills: situational judgment, clear written communication, basic investigative skills, and willingness to work irregular hours and in challenging field environments.
• Language: ability to speak and read English is required; proficiency in Spanish is beneficial (training support for Spanish language skills is provided).

---

Other Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Law-enforcement retirement/age rules apply: candidates generally must be referred before their 40th birthday unless exempt due to prior qualifying federal law enforcement service or Veterans’ Preference eligibility.
• Successful completion of a federal background investigation, medical and fitness standards, and the Border Patrol Academy (approximately six months in Artesia, NM) is required.
• Relocation may be required; duty assignments are based on operational needs and may include mission-critical or prioritized locations.
• Veterans may be eligible for special hiring authorities (e.g., VRA).

---

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs varies by grade: GL-5 / GL-7: $51,632 – $92,912 per year (locality adjustments may apply).
• Confidential Client offers a comprehensive federal benefits package including health and dental insurance, generous annual and sick leave, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement), and law enforcement retirements/benefits where applicable.
• Recruitment Incentive: up to $20,000 for newly appointed agents (e.g., $10,000 after Academy completion + $10,000 for accepting prioritized duty locations).
• Retention Incentives: eligible agents may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed during their first four years.
• Additional pay provisions (e.g., locality or pay reform adjustments) may increase total compensation depending on duty location.

---

Duty Locations & Assignments

Duty assignments may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical sectors. Priority stations and sector assignments are based on operational needs and may include (but are not limited to):

• Big Bend, Del Rio, El Paso, El Centro, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Tucson, Yuma, San Diego and other domestic border sectors.
• Some prioritized locations may include Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg (NM), Freer, Hebbronville, and Ajo (AZ).

You will be asked to indicate preferred locations, but assignment is determined at offer based on mission requirements.

---

What to Expect from the Hiring Process

Confidential Client will evaluate applications based on resume, supporting documents, and assessment steps (including a BPA entrance exam and required background checks). If selected, you will attend the Academy for training in immigration/nationality law, firearms, driving, physical techniques, report writing, and other operational skills.

---

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.