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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Summary

This entry-level federal law enforcement role is a career-track Border Patrol Agent (BPA) position supporting mission-critical border operations. The Confidential Client is hiring full-time, career candidates to complete federal law enforcement training and join field operations across a range of duty locations. Prior public safety, security, military, or law enforcement experience may be qualifying.

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What You’ll Do

As an entry-level Border Patrol Agent with the Confidential Client, typical duties include:

• Detecting, questioning, and inspecting individuals and belongings to determine immigration status and compliance with applicable laws
• Conducting surveillance and patrols (including covert and nighttime operations using infrared equipment)
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry or smuggling
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation inspections
• Patrolling international boundaries and waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, and other government assets

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Compensation & Incentives

• Annual base salary range for entry appointments (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Estimated pay (example midpoint): $84,193 per year (estimate shown on source)
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (portion paid after successful completion of the federal training academy; remaining portion for accepting prioritized locations)
• Retention incentive: may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years
• Potential locality and pay reforms may increase total compensation (some fully trained agents may be eligible for additional locality pay)

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Benefits

• Federal health, dental, and other insurance plans
• Generous annual and sick leave
• Retirement savings plan participation (Thrift Savings Plan)
• Career ladder progression (grade increases available with time-in-grade and successful completion of requirements)

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Duty Locations

Duty assignments are determined based on operational needs and may include Southwest Border locations and other mission-critical stations. Relocation may be required. Selected examples of duty locations include:

• Big Bend Sector — Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, 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
• Tucson Sector — Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Willcox
• Yuma Sector — Blythe, Yuma, Wellton
• San Diego Sector — Boulevard, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Additional sector stations (Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Grand Forks, Spokane, Havre, Houlton, Swanton, etc.)

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Qualifications

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

• One year of general work experience demonstrating the ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations and methods, and gather concise information through questioning and observation; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (or successful completion of a four-year course of study from an accredited college or university); OR
• A combination of relevant experience and college coursework (will be evaluated via resume and transcripts)

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

• One year of specialized work experience showing skills to make sound judgments in firearms use, deal effectively and tactfully with people in law enforcement contexts, analyze information rapidly, and make prompt decisions (examples: criminal enforcement, corrections, security, military law enforcement); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, or honor society membership), 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 (evaluated via resume and transcripts)

Note: Candidates with prior federal civilian or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11). Such candidates should reference the applicable higher-grade announcement.

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Other Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age restriction: candidates must generally be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with federal law enforcement retirement provisions; exceptions may apply for certain prior federal law enforcement service or Veterans’ Preference eligibilities.
• Veterans’ Preference and certain hiring authorities may affect appointment eligibility and age restrictions.
• Formal training: successful candidates will be detailed to a federal law enforcement academy in New Mexico for approximately six months of intensive training (immigration and nationality law, firearms, driver training, physical techniques, language training, and role-specific operations). Spanish language proficiency is beneficial; training and support for Spanish proficiency may be provided.
• Position requires physical fitness, the ability to operate a variety of vehicles and equipment, and readiness to work in challenging outdoor environments.

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What We’re Looking For

• Strong judgment, composure, and decision-making under pressure
• Ability to learn regulations and apply procedures accurately
• Solid interpersonal skills and professionalism when interacting with the public
• Willingness to complete intensive academy training and work in a variety of field conditions
• Prior experience in public safety, security, military police, corrections, or law enforcement is helpful but not mandatory for entry-level consideration

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Notes & Disclosures

• Duty assignment and grade at hire will be determined by the Confidential Client based on operational needs and applicant qualifications.
• This is a federal law enforcement role with career-ladder progression; promotion opportunities exist subject to time-in-grade and performance.
• This posting omits direct application instructions. Candidates should expect to complete official federal application steps if invited to proceed in the Confidential Client’s hiring process.

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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.