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 / homeland 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

This is an entry-level, full-time federal law enforcement opportunity to train and serve as a Border Patrol Agent (BPA). You will join a mission-focused team protecting the border, preventing illegal entry and contraband smuggling, and enforcing immigration and customs laws. Typical duties include:

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions
• Conducting surveillance, including night operations using infrared and other equipment
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic and transportation checks, and city patrols
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles
• Making arrests and applying law enforcement techniques after required training

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Salary & Benefits

Compensation for newly appointed BPAs varies by grade and locality pay:

• GL-5 / GL-7: $51,632 – $92,912 per year (base range; locality and law enforcement pay differentials may apply)

Benefits include federal health and dental plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (a retirement plan similar to a ROTH 401(k)). Eligible employees may also receive additional law enforcement locality pay and career-ladder promotions as they meet time-in-grade requirements.

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Incentives (Recruitment & Retention)

The confidential client is offering significant incentives for qualified hires:

• Recruitment Incentive: Up to $20,000 — $10,000 paid after successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy and $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location.
• Retention Incentive: Newly appointed agents may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years.
• Combined incentives can total up to $60,000 for eligible candidates (see duty-location eligibility details below).

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Where You May Serve (Duty Locations)

Duty assignments are determined by operational needs at the time of offer and may require relocation. Some prioritized locations are in the southwest and other mission-critical sectors. Examples of sector / station locations include:

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Marfa, Alpine
• Buffalo Sector: Wellesley Island
• 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
• 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, Freer, Laredo North
• Rio Grande Valley: Rio Grande City, McAllen, Brownsville, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector: Boulevard, 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, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points, Willcox
• Yuma Sector: Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

Duty location affects pay rates; some locations include higher locality pay and law enforcement differentials.

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Qualifications

To be considered, candidates must meet the grade-level qualifications below. Your application will be evaluated using your resume and any supporting documents (e.g., transcripts).

You may qualify for GL-5 if you meet ONE of the following:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, good decision-making under stress, and the ability to learn regulations and procedures; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (or completion of a four-year course of study) from an accredited institution; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college coursework (evaluated from submitted transcripts/resume).

You may qualify for GL-7 if you meet ONE of the following:

• One (1) year of specialized work experience demonstrating: sound judgment and decision-making in the use of firearms; courteous and tactful law enforcement interactions; rapid information analysis and prompt decision-making in law enforcement contexts (e.g., criminal enforcement, security, military, corrections); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (e.g., GPA ≥ 3.0, class standing, honor society), OR one full year of relevant graduate-level study (criminal justice, homeland security, forensic technology, etc.); OR
• A combination of specialized work experience and education (evaluated from submitted materials).

Note: Candidates with previous federal civilian or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11); please consult the full announcement for those opportunities.

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Other Requirements & Important Notices

• 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: Applicants must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday under law enforcement retirement rules, unless exempt (e.g., certain veterans or current/former federal LEOs).
• Training: Selected candidates will attend the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, NM (approx. six months) for intensive law enforcement, driver, firearms, physical, and Spanish-language training. Spanish proficiency is required or will be trained.
• Physical & Background: Candidates must meet medical, physical fitness, and background/security requirements applicable to federal law enforcement positions.
• Mobility: Relocation may be required; duty assignment is based on operational needs and may differ from preferred location.

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What We Value

The confidential client seeks candidates who demonstrate:

• Integrity, accountability, and professionalism
• Sound decision-making under pressure
• Strong observational and investigative instincts
• Team orientation and the ability to work in austere or challenging environments
• A commitment to public service and protecting the homeland

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Recruiter Notes (Careertakes)

Careertakes acts as the recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. Applicants who progress may be matched to additional federal law enforcement opportunities via the Careertakes platform. All screening and selection decisions are made by the confidential client.

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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.