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.

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 to join a federal law‑enforcement career path. This is a full‑time, career role with formal academy training, clear promotion steps, comprehensive federal benefits, and recruitment/retention incentives (up to $60,000 total for eligible hires).

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base pay for newly appointed BPAs (GL‑5 / GL‑7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (varies by grade and locality)
• Estimated pay for this posting: ~$72,500/year (estimate)
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Academy completion; additional $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations)
• Retention incentive: may qualify for up to $40,000 over the first four years
• Additional locality and law‑enforcement pay adjustments may apply (up to ~25% in some locations under BPA pay reform)
• Federal benefits package: health, dental, retirement (Thrift Savings Plan), annual & sick leave, and other standard federal employee benefits

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What You’ll Do (Typical Duties)

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented individuals and smugglers using surveillance (including night operations with specialized equipment)
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Conduct farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation inspections
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, boats, off‑road vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, and other assets
• Perform law‑enforcement tasks that require sound judgment, the use of force or firearms when authorized, and collaboration with partners

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Qualifications

You may qualify at GL‑5 with one of the following:

• One year of general work experience showing ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations/methods in training or on the job, and gather concise information through questioning and observation; OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of relevant work experience and college education (evaluated from resume/transcripts)

You may qualify at GL‑7 with one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience demonstrating: use of firearms with sound judgment; professional interaction in law‑enforcement contexts; rapid information analysis and timely decision‑making (examples include criminal enforcement, corrections, security, military police); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, or honor society), or one year of graduate‑level study in a related field (criminal justice, homeland security, forensic studies, etc.); OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (documented via resume and transcripts)

Note: Applicants with prior federal civilian or military law‑enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL‑9, GS‑11); review applicable announcements for those levels.

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Other Requirements & Important Notices

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years is required.
• Age / Retirement provisions: This position is covered under federal law‑enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates generally must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday, subject to statutory exceptions (for example, certain prior federal law enforcement service or Veterans’ Preference eligibilities).
• Training: Selected candidates will attend the Confidential Client Academy (approx. six months) for instruction in immigration and nationality law, law enforcement operations, driver training, physical techniques, and firearms.
• Language: Border enforcement work benefits from Spanish language proficiency; language training is provided during Academy to develop proficiency.
• Physical & security requirements: Candidates will undergo medical, physical fitness, background investigations, and other pre‑employment suitability checks required for federal law enforcement positions.
• Reasonable accommodations: Confidential Client and Careertakes will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities in compliance with applicable laws. If you need an accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please indicate this in your application or contact the recruiter.

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Duty Locations

Duty assignments are determined at time of offer based on operational needs and may include prioritized or remote border stations. Relocation may be required. Prioritized stations (examples) include locations across Southwest Border sectors and other mission‑critical stations (e.g., Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Lordsburg, Ajo, Hebbronville, Freer, and many others). Locality pay and duty location determine final compensation.

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Selection & Career Progression

• Career ladder progression: GL‑5 → GL‑7 → GL‑9 → GS‑11 → GS‑12. Promotion eligibility typically occurs after successful completion of 52 weeks at each grade.
• Evaluation is based on resume, supporting documents (e.g., transcripts), pre‑screening, and any required entrance examinations.
• Formal offers will specify duty assignment, grade, pay, and any incentive eligibility.

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Key Skills & Attributes

• Sound judgment and decision‑making under pressure
• Strong observational and interview skills
• Ability to learn and follow laws, policies, and procedures
• Physical stamina and adaptability to diverse operating environments
• Professional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Willingness to relocate and deploy to mission‑critical locations

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What Makes This Role Attractive

• Clear federal law‑enforcement career path with training and promotion opportunities
• Competitive base pay with locality and law‑enforcement differentials
• Up to $60,000 in combined recruitment/retention incentives for eligible hires
• Comprehensive federal benefits and retirement options
• Meaningful public‑service mission and camaraderie of a large professional workforce

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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.