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 - Border Security (Confidential Client).

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

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Role Overview

This entry-level Border Patrol Agent opportunity with our confidential client offers a long-term federal law enforcement career focused on border security and public safety. This full-time position is a career-ladder role (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) that includes classroom and on-the-job training at a federal academy, opportunities for promotion, and a range of benefits and incentives.

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What You’ll Earn & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed agents (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (varies by grade and duty location)
• Eligible for locality pay and law-enforcement pay increases (some locations may add up to approx. 25% per BPA pay reform)
• Up to $60,000 in hiring and retention incentives (see Incentives section)
• Federal benefits package including health, dental, vision, generous leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement savings)
• Career stability, structured progression, and training paid by the agency

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Incentives

• Recruitment Incentive: Up to $20,000 for newly appointed agents (first $10,000 after Academy graduation; remaining $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations)
• Retention Incentive: Up to $40,000 over the first four years for eligible hires
• Note: Prioritized locations will be listed at offer and may require relocation

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Duty Locations

Duty assignments are determined based on operational need and may include mission-critical locations along the Southwest border and other sectors. Examples of sectors and stations (non-exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector (e.g., Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson)
• Del Rio, El Paso, El Centro, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Tucson, Yuma, San Diego and others
• Domestic, remote, and rugged postings are possible; relocation may be required

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Key Responsibilities

As a Border Patrol Agent, typical duties include:

• Detecting, questioning, and inspecting people and belongings to determine citizenship or violations
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers; conducting surveillance and night operations using specialized equipment
• Interpreting tracks and physical evidence of illegal entry and contraband
• Conducting farm, building, traffic, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrolling land and waterways using vehicles, horses, ATVs, vessels, and other agency assets

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Minimum Qualifications

You may qualify at GL-5, GL-7 (or higher if you have qualifying prior experience) through one of the following pathways:

GL-5 (examples)

• One year of general work experience demonstrating sound judgment, ability to learn regulations and procedures, and effective information gathering; OR
• A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; OR
• A combination of education and general experience (evaluated from resume/transcripts)

GL-7 (examples)

• One year of specialized experience showing ability to make firearms judgments, handle law-enforcement interactions tactfully, analyze information rapidly, and conduct arrests following training; OR
• Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of relevant graduate-level study; OR
• A combination of experience and education (evaluated from resume/transcripts)

If you have prior federal or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at GL-9 or GS-11 grade levels. Qualifications will be evaluated from your submitted documents.

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Other Requirements & Conditions

• U.S. citizenship required
• Must have been a primary U.S. resident for at least three of the last five years
• Age restriction: Candidates must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday per law-enforcement retirement provisions, unless exempt due to prior covered federal civilian LEO service or veterans’ preference eligibility
• Formal training: New hires attend the agency academy (~6 months) for instruction in law enforcement, immigration law, driver training, firearms, physical techniques, and agency operations
• Language: Ability to speak and read English required; the agency provides Spanish language training where needed
• Selection components: candidates will be evaluated based on submitted materials, exams, and any required entrance assessments

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Selection & Hiring Notes (Recruiter Best Practices)

Careertakes supports this recruitment as an external talent partner. Our confidential client makes final hiring decisions. Typical steps in selection may include resume screening, document verification (transcripts, certificates), a written or entrance exam, background checks, medical and fitness evaluations, and academy acceptance.

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What We Look For

• Team-oriented mindset, strong decision-making under pressure, and adaptability in austere or rapidly changing environments
• Effective communication skills and the ability to interact respectfully and professionally with diverse communities
• Physical fitness, integrity, and commitment to a public-safety mission

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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.