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 (Customs and Border Protection).

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

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is hiring entry‑level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) at GL‑5 / GL‑7 grade levels for full‑time, career federal law enforcement roles. In this role you will:

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions to determine status or violations
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers near borders using surveillance, night operations, and infrared equipment
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, off‑road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles
• Work as part of a team to deter illicit activity, protect the nation’s economic prosperity, and support public safety

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs (GL‑5 / GL‑7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (range reflects grade differences and locality pay)
• Adzuna estimated median: $74,237 per year (for reference)
• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives:
  • Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location)
  • Retention incentive: may qualify for up to $40,000 over the first four years
• Federal benefits including health, dental, life insurance options, generous annual and sick leave, and Thrift Savings Plan (retirement)
• Career ladder progression (GL‑5 → GL‑7 → GL‑9 → GS‑11 → GS‑12) with promotion eligibility after successful completion of required service periods

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Where You May Be Assigned

Duty assignments are determined at offer and may include Southwest Border and other mission‑critical locations. Relocation may be required.

Example mission sectors and stations (selection):

• Big Bend Sector — Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Del Rio Sector — Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass
• El Paso Sector — Alamogordo, Clint, El Paso, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa
• Tucson Sector — Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas
• San Diego Sector — Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta
• Yuma Sector — Blythe, Yuma, Wellton (Full list of mission critical locations available upon request during application)

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Qualifications

You may qualify for GL‑5 if you have ONE of the following:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn and apply regulations/methods, and gather information through questioning and observation; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (or completion of a 4‑year course of study from an accredited college/university); OR
• A combination of education and general work experience (will be evaluated from your resume and transcripts)

You may qualify for GL‑7 if you have ONE of the following:

• One (1) year of specialized work experience showing the ability to make sound firearms judgments; deal tactfully with people on law enforcement matters; rapidly analyze information and make prompt decisions; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA, class standing, or honor society) OR one full year of related graduate‑level study; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (will be evaluated from your resume and transcripts)

Note: Candidates with prior federal law enforcement or military law enforcement experience may qualify at GL‑9 or GS‑11 levels through separate announcements.

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Other Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Candidates must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday per federal law enforcement retirement provisions. Exceptions may apply for certain prior federal civilian LEO service or veterans’ preference eligibilities.
• Background: Successful completion of federal background investigation, medical, and fitness standards required.
• Training: Selected candidates will attend approximately six months at the Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM) for intensive instruction in law enforcement, immigration and nationality laws, firearms, defensive tactics, driving, and Spanish language training. Ability to learn Spanish (reading/speaking) is required; language training is provided.
• Physical & medical standards apply; possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to work varied shifts and locations are required.

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Essential Skills & Attributes

• Strong decision‑making and composure in high‑stress situations
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to complete reports and process documentation
• Ability to work outdoors and in varied environments, including remote and austere locations
• Teamwork, integrity, and commitment to public service and mission‑driven work

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What Makes This Role Attractive

• Immediate hiring for entry‑level, full‑time federal law enforcement careers
• Competitive base pay with locality adjustments and a structured advancement path
• Significant recruitment and retention incentives for prioritized locations
• Comprehensive federal benefits and retirement plan
• Training and career development within a mission‑focused law enforcement agency

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Application Notes (recruiting through Careertakes)

Careertakes is supporting this hiring process as a third‑party recruiting platform. Applicants may receive links and guidance to the federal application announcements and supplemental assessments; final applications and hiring decisions are managed 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.