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, Customs and Border Protection (Federal Law Enforcement).

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

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Overview

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) at GL-5/GL-7 grade levels for federal law enforcement duty assignments. This is a full-time, career position focused on protecting the nation’s borders. The role is mission-driven and offers structured career progression, formal academy training, and significant incentive opportunities for qualified new hires.

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary (newly appointed BPAs): GL-5 / GL-7 — $51,632 to $92,912 per year (range depends on grade and locality).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 at academy graduation; remaining $10,000 for prioritized locations).
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for eligible hires.
• Additional locality and pay reform adjustments may apply (a fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay in some locations).
• Federal benefits include health, dental, retirement (Thrift Savings Plan), generous annual and sick leave, and more.

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Duty Locations & Mobility

• Duty assignments may include the Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations (see list below).
• Candidates will be asked to select preferred locations but final assignments are determined by operational need.
• Relocation may be required; pay varies by locality.

Prioritized / mission critical locations include (examples): Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, Ajo, and many sector stations across the U.S.

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Duties & Responsibilities

Typical day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspecting documents and possessions.
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers; performing surveillance (including night operations with infrared scopes).
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Conducting farm checks, building and traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets (vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.).

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Qualifications

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

• Experience: One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making under stress, ability to learn regulations and methods, and gather concise information through questioning and observation.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree (or full four-year course of study) from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience.
• Combination: A mix of experience and college education will be considered.

You may qualify for the GL-7 grade level if you have one of the following:

• Experience: One (1) year of specialized work experience demonstrating:
  • Sound judgment and firearms decision-making,
  • Effective interpersonal skills in law enforcement contexts,
  • Rapid information analysis and prompt decision-making, including arrest authority after training (experience can include criminal enforcement, corrections, security, or military).
• Education substitution: Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, or honor society membership), or one year of relevant graduate-level education.
• Combination: A calculated mix of experience and education may qualify.

Note: Candidates with prior federal civilian or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9 / GS-11). Qualification determinations will be made using submitted resumes and transcripts.

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Other Requirements & Training

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Must be referred for selection before turning 40, per federal law enforcement retirement provisions (exceptions may apply for certain prior federal law enforcement or veteran statuses).
• Veterans: Veterans’ Preference and certain excepted hiring authorities (e.g., VRA) may apply and can affect age restrictions.
• Language: Border Patrol work requires speaking and reading English; Spanish proficiency is highly beneficial and training will be provided.
• Formal training: Selected candidates attend the Border Patrol Academy (approx. six months) for intensive instruction (laws, operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and language training).

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What We’re Looking For

• Mission-driven candidates seeking a long-term federal law enforcement career.
• People with prior public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience are encouraged to apply — these backgrounds may qualify candidates for higher grade consideration.
• Individuals who can work in varied environments, adapt to shift work, and perform physically demanding duties.

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Keywords for this role

• Border Patrol Agent
• BPA GL-5 GL-7
• Federal law enforcement
• Entry-level border patrol
• Border Patrol Academy
• Spanish language proficiency

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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.