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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Overview

This confidential client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) for full-time, career positions. This role is a federal law enforcement position with structured grade progression and training at a federal academy. Candidates who have experience in public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement may qualify.

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What You’ll Do

As a Border Patrol Agent for the confidential client, you will protect the nation by detecting and preventing illegal entry and contraband, conducting patrols and inspections, and performing investigations and enforcement actions as required.

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers using surveillance and investigative techniques, including night operations with infrared equipment
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Conduct farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, boats, off-road vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles, or other government assets

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Estimated midpoint compensation shown on job board: ~$76,463/year (estimate)
• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives (recruitment + retention), including:
  • Up to $20,000 recruitment incentive (first $10,000 after Academy completion; additional $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations)
  • Up to $40,000 in retention incentives paid over the first four years
• Federal benefits include health/dental plans, annual and sick leave, Thrift Savings Plan (retirement), and stability of federal employment
• Certain duty locations may be eligible for locality or special pay (BPA Pay Reform provisions may add up to 25% of base pay in some locations)

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Duty Locations & Assignments

Duty assignments are determined at offer and based on operational needs; relocation may be required. Prioritized and mission-critical locations include stations across multiple sectors (examples below). You will be asked to select preferred locations, but final assignment is made at time of offer.

Selected mission-critical locations include (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector — Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Alpine, Marfa
• Del Rio Sector — Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector — Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• Laredo Sector — Laredo, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Freer, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector — Rio Grande City, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen
• San Diego, Tucson, Yuma, Grand Forks, Havre, Houlton, Spokane, Swanton sector locations and more

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Qualifications

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

GL-5 (Entry-level) — one of the following:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making, composure under stress, learning ability, and information-gathering; OR
• Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of education and general work experience (calculated from resume and transcripts)

GL-7 — one of the following:

• One (1) year of specialized experience demonstrating law-enforcement-related judgment, firearms use, tactical decision-making, arrest authority, and effective interpersonal skills in law-enforcement contexts; OR
• Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA/honors/class standing), OR one year of relevant graduate-level study; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated from resume and transcripts)

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

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Other Requirements & Important Notices

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Residency: primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Applicants must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday per applicable law; exceptions may apply for certain prior federal civilian LEO service or veterans’ preference eligibilities.
• Veterans’ Preference and certain excepted service appointments (e.g., VRA) may apply.
• Formal Training: Selected candidates will attend the Border Patrol Academy (approximately 6 months) for intensive instruction in immigration and nationality law, law enforcement operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and language training (Spanish proficiency training provided).
• This role requires the ability to read and speak Spanish; language training is provided at the Academy.
• Candidates will be evaluated on resume, supporting documents (transcripts, etc.), and any required entrance examinations.

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How the Process Works (Recruiter Notes)

Careertakes is supporting this hiring process as a third-party recruiter. If advanced through our process, you may receive referrals or additional matched opportunities via the Careertakes 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.