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 & Border Protection).

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

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Why this role matters

Confidential Client is recruiting entry-level Border Patrol Agents for a federal law-enforcement career that protects the nation’s borders and public safety. This role offers a clear career ladder, intensive academy training, comprehensive federal benefits, and significant recruitment and retention incentives for qualified candidates.

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What You’ll Be Offered

Confidential Client provides competitive federal pay and benefits and is offering substantial incentives for new hires.

• Annual base salary range for entry-level hires (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year.
• Estimated midpoint/representative value shown in source: $85,278 per year (estimated).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 paid after academy completion; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for eligible hires.
• Federal benefits: health, dental, life insurance, paid annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (federal retirement/savings plan).

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Where You May Be Assigned

Duty assignments may include the Southwest border and other mission-critical sector stations. Assignment at the time of offer is based on operational needs and may require relocation.

Common sector locations (representative examples):

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Del Rio Sector: Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass areas
• El Paso Sector: El Paso metro and nearby stations (including Lordsburg priority)
• El Centro Sector: El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Laredo & Rio Grande Valley Sectors: multiple stations in southern Texas
• San Diego & Tucson Sectors: San Diego County, Tucson, Nogales, Ajo, etc.
• Additional sectors: Grand Forks, Havre, Houlton, Spokane, Swanton, Yuma

Relocation may be required. Prioritized locations are eligible for incentive payments as noted above.

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Primary Duties & Responsibilities

As an entry-level Border Patrol Agent, you will be part of a front-line law-enforcement workforce. Typical duties include:

• Detecting, questioning, and processing individuals suspected of immigration or customs violations.
• Patrolling borders, waterways, and transportation routes using vehicles, horses, watercraft, ATVs, or other assets.
• Conducting surveillance (including night operations using infrared), farm/building checks, traffic stops, and transportation inspections.
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and physical evidence of illegal entry or smuggling.
• Apprehending suspected violators and working with team members to execute operational mission objectives.

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Minimum Qualifications

You may qualify at different grade levels depending on experience and education:

• GL-5 (entry-level): One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making under stress, ability to learn regulations/methods, and information-gathering skills; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a combination of experience and education.
• GL-7: One (1) year of specialized work experience showing firearms judgment, effective interpersonal skills in law-enforcement contexts, rapid information analysis and decision-making, or experience developing informant networks; OR superior academic achievement at the bachelor’s level or one full year of relevant graduate-level education; OR a combination of experience and education.
• Candidates with prior (civilian) federal law-enforcement or military law-enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11). Review the job announcement for grade-specific qualification details.

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Other Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years is required.
• Age limitation: candidates must generally be referred for selection prior to turning 40 due to federal law-enforcement retirement provisions, though exceptions apply for certain veterans and prior-covered service.
• Ability to read and speak English; Confidential Client provides academy language training for Spanish proficiency when required by the mission.
• Successful completion of background investigations, physical fitness standards, medical and drug screening, and the required academy training is required.

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Training & Career Progression

• New hires attend approximately six months of intensive academy training covering laws, driver training, firearms, physical techniques, and operational tactics.
• This is a career-ladder position with progression through GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12, and eligibility for promotion after meeting time-in-grade requirements.

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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.