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 and border security.

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

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What You’ll Do

The Border Patrol Agent (entry level) will join a frontline federal law enforcement team protecting the nation’s borders. Typical duties include:

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions.
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers; conduct surveillance (including night operations using infrared equipment).
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry or contraband.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation inspections.
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles, and other government assets.
• Operate as part of a team that deters illicit activity and supports public safety and economic security.

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Who We’re Looking For

This position is open to candidates who meet the grade-level qualifications below. We welcome applicants from public safety, security, military police, and law enforcement backgrounds, as well as qualified candidates with civilian experience or relevant education.

Grade-level eligibility (examples):

• GL-5: One year of general work experience that demonstrates decision-making, composure under stress, and the ability to learn regulations and methods; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a combination of experience and education.
• GL-7: One year of specialized experience showing the ability to make sound firearms judgments, handle law-enforcement interactions courteously and tactfully, analyze information rapidly, and perform arrests after training; OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of related graduate-level study; OR combination of experience and education.
• Candidates with prior federal or military law-enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11); please review veteran/experienced hiring pathways.

Desired attributes

• Strong judgment and decision-making under stress.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to learn technical and tactical procedures.
• Commitment to public service and working in mission-driven teams.

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary (new appointees, GL-5/GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year.
• Estimated typical pay may vary by location and locality adjustments.
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Academy graduation; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention incentive: eligible for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for qualifying hires.
• Additional locality pay and law-enforcement pay reform adjustments may apply (a fully trained agent may be eligible for up to an additional ~25% of base pay in some locations).
• Federal benefits package includes health and dental plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement savings).

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Duty Locations & Travel

Duty assignments may include prioritized mission-critical locations and/or the Southwest Border. Assignment is based on operational needs and may require relocation. Selected candidate will be asked to select preferred locations from available mission areas. Examples of duty locations (not an exhaustive list):

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector: Wellesley Island
• Del Rio Sector: Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North/South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector: Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• El Centro Sector: El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Grand Forks Sector: Pembina
• Havre Sector: Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector: Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector: Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Laredo West, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector: Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector: Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector: Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
• Swanton Sector: Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
• Tucson Sector: Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points, Willcox
• Yuma Sector: Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

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Other Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Residency: Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday per applicable federal law; exceptions apply for certain prior federal civilian or veteran categories.
• Formal training: Successful hires will attend the Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM) for approximately six months of intensive law enforcement instruction (immigration and nationality laws, driver training, firearms, physical techniques, language training, and operations).
• Language: Ability to speak and read English is required; Spanish proficiency is important and training will be provided to reach operational proficiency.
• Relocation: Offers may require relocation to operational duty assignments.
• Equal access and accommodations: Careertakes and our client comply with federal, state, and local employment laws. Reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities are available during the application and hiring process upon request. Background, suitability, medical, and fitness-for-duty requirements consistent with federal law enforcement roles will apply.

Note: This posting is intended to be compliant with applicable U.S. hiring laws. Specific state or local requirements that apply to duty locations (for example, pay transparency rules) will be followed where relevant.

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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.