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, Customs and Border Protection (Federal Law Enforcement).

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

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is recruiting entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) at GL-5 / GL-7 grade levels for full-time, career federal law-enforcement roles. This position is a hands-on law enforcement role focused on safeguarding borders, deterring illicit activity, and protecting the public. Typical duties include:

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers through surveillance (including night operations using infrared scopes).
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband.
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles as required.

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Salary & Benefits

The position offers competitive federal pay, benefits, and incentive opportunities:

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (varies by grade and locality).
• Recruitment incentive: Eligible new hires may receive up to $20,000 (first $10,000 paid upon successful completion of academy; additional $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention incentive: Eligible new hires may qualify for up to $40,000 over the first four years.
• Additional federal benefits: health and dental insurance, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (federal retirement/savings).
• Locality and pay reform provisions may increase total compensation (a fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay under applicable pay reform).

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Duty Locations

Duty assignments are determined at the time of offer based on operational needs and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Relocation may be required. Sample sectors and stations include (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector Stations – 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
• Laredo Sector – Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector – Rio Grande City, McAllen, Brownsville, Weslaco, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector – Boulevard, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Tucson Sector – Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points, Willcox
• Yuma Sector – Blythe, Yuma, Wellton
• Additional northern and coastal sectors are included (e.g., Buffalo, Grand Forks, Spokane, Swanton, Havre, Houlton).

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Qualifications

You may qualify at GL-5 or GL-7 depending on experience and education.

GL-5 (qualify with one of the following):

• One year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making, composure under stress, ability to learn procedures, and information-gathering skills; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year) from an accredited college or university; OR
• A combination of education and experience (evaluated from your resume and transcripts).

GL-7 (qualify with one of the following):

• One year of specialized work experience showing skills to: make sound firearms decisions; interact courteously and effectively in law enforcement situations; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions (e.g., arrests after training); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA 3.0+, class standing, or honor society) OR one year of related graduate-level education; OR
• A combination of experience and education (evaluated from your resume and transcripts).

Note: Applicants with prior law enforcement or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11); refer to applicable announcements.

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Other Requirements & Important Notices

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years is required.
• Age restriction: Candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with applicable federal law and agency directives. Exceptions may apply for certain veteran or prior federal law enforcement service.
• Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans may have alternative appointment pathways (e.g., VRA) and possible age exceptions.
• Training: Selected candidates will attend approximately six months of intensive academy training covering immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and related skills. Spanish language proficiency is valuable; language training is provided during the academy.
• This is a demanding, safety-sensitive law-enforcement role that may require physical fitness, shift work, and duty in austere environments.

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Preferred / Helpful Experience

• Public safety, security, corrections, or military experience (including military police) is beneficial.
• Experience with firearms, surveillance, field investigations, or patrol operations.
• Spanish language ability is advantageous.

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What to Expect Next

Confidential Client uses a standard federal application and selection process. Applications are evaluated on submitted materials, qualifications, and any required testing. Candidates selected for consideration will be invited to complete the necessary eligibility screens and training steps. (Note: the application details and the official job announcement will be provided by the hiring organization during the 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.