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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What You’ll Do

As an entry-level Border Patrol Agent you will serve on the front line of border security, protecting people and commerce. Typical duties include:

• Detecting, questioning, and inspecting people and belongings to determine citizenship and possible violations
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented entrants and smugglers using surveillance, pursuit, and tactical arrest procedures
• Conducting night and covert surveillance (including infrared scopes) and interpreting physical evidence such as tracks and marks
• Performing farm checks, building checks, vehicle/traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation inspections
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, motorcycles and other government assets
• Preparing clear reports and working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams and other agencies

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Qualifications

Minimum qualifications for entry consideration are listed by grade level:

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

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making under stress, ability to learn regulations/methods, and information-gathering through observation and questioning; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year) from an accredited institution; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college coursework (calculated from resume/transcripts)

GL-7 — one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience showing skills in firearms judgment, effective people interaction in law enforcement contexts, rapid information analysis, and arrest procedures; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of graduate-level study in a law-enforcement-related field; OR
• A combination of qualifying experience and education (evaluated from resume/transcripts)

Other legal and job-specific requirements:

• U.S. citizenship is required
• Must have been a U.S. resident for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• Age restriction: candidates must be referred before their 40th birthday per law enforcement retirement provisions — exceptions apply for certain prior federal law enforcement service and some veterans’ appointments
• May be eligible for Veterans’ Preference or other excepted service appointments
• Successful completion of background investigation, medical and fitness standards, and suitability checks is required
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred; language training is provided at the academy as needed

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base pay for new Border Patrol Agents (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 (varies by grade and locality)
• Locality and law-enforcement pay adjustments may apply; fully trained BPAs may be eligible for up to an additional ~25% per applicable pay reform provisions
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (typically $10,000 after academy completion + $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location)
• Retention incentive: eligible for up to $40,000 over the first four years for qualifying hires
• Federal benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous leave programs, Thrift Savings Plan (retirement), and opportunities for career-ladder promotions (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12)
• Full-time, career federal employment with job stability and training pathways

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Locations & Mobility

Duty assignments are mission-driven and may include Southwest Border and other sectors. Candidates will be asked to select preferred mission-critical locations, which may 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, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• Tucson Sector — Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Casa Grande, Willcox, and other stations
• Yuma, San Diego, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Grand Forks, Spokane, Havre, Houlton, Swanton and other sectors

Note: Offers may require relocation and duty assignment decisions are made based on operational need. Some prioritized locations are eligible for higher recruitment incentives.

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Training & Onboarding

• Successful hires attend the Border Patrol Academy (~6 months) for comprehensive training in immigration and nationality law, law enforcement operations, driving, firearms, physical techniques, and other subjects
• Academy training includes Spanish-language instruction as required for operational proficiency
• After successful academy completion, agents continue field training and grade progression based on time-in-grade and performance

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Additional Requirements & Considerations

• Candidates will undergo background investigation, polygraph (if required), medical and physical fitness screening, and drug testing
• This role involves regular physical activity, potential exposure to tactical and adverse operational environments, and the use of force in lawful circumstances
• Prior public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience may qualify a candidate at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11). Submit detailed resumes and transcripts for education/experience evaluation
• This posting is for a full-time federal law enforcement career with a structured promotion path and benefits

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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.