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, a Confidential Client in Federal Law Enforcement (Border Security).

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

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Position Overview

Confidential Client is recruiting entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) at GL-5/GL-7 grade levels to join a federal law enforcement team protecting U.S. borders and critical infrastructure. This is a full-time, career law enforcement role with structured academy training, a clear promotion ladder (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12), and eligibility for recruitment and retention incentives.

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What You’ll Do

You will work as part of a federal law enforcement team to deter illegal entry and contraband at or near U.S. borders. Typical duties include:

• Detect, question, and inspect people and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
• Conduct surveillance from stationary and covert positions (including night operations using infrared)
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Perform farm, building, traffic, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrol boundaries and waterways using vehicles, vessels, horses, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles
• Make arrests and use lawful force consistent with training and policy
• Complete required reporting, documentation, and evidence handling

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Salary & Incentives

Annual base pay for newly appointed BPAs varies by grade and locality.

• GL-5 / GL-7: $51,632 – $92,912 per year (base pay range — actual pay depends on grade, locality, and duty station)
• Estimated midpoint for this posting: approximately $73,400 per year

Incentives (subject to program rules and eligibility):

• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Academy graduation; additional $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations)
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for qualifying hires
• Locality pay and other federal adjustments may increase total compensation (some locations receive higher locality pay; fully trained agents may be eligible for up to an additional 25% per applicable pay reform)

Benefits include federal health and dental plans, generous annual and sick leave, Thrift Savings Plan (retirement), and other federal employee benefits.

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Where You May Work

Duty assignments may include mission-critical locations across multiple sectors. Assignments are determined at time of offer based on operational needs and may require relocation.

Examples of sectors and duty locations (not exhaustive): Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson, Lordsburg, Ajo, Tucson, Yuma, San Diego, El Paso, Del Rio, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, and other sector stations.

Relocation may be required. Prioritized locations are eligible for additional recruitment pay.

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Training

New hires will be detailed to the Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM) for approximately six months of intensive training covering immigration/nationality law, law enforcement procedures, firearms, driver training, physical techniques, and Spanish language proficiency. Ongoing on-the-job training continues after Academy graduation.

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Minimum Qualifications

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

GL-5 (minimum qualification — choose one):

• One year of general work experience demonstrating ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations and techniques through training/on-the-job instruction, and gather information via questioning/observation; OR
• A four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; OR
• A combination of education and general work experience (evaluated from resume/transcripts)

GL-7 (minimum qualification — choose one):

• One year of specialized experience demonstrating: judgment in firearms use; courteous and effective interaction in law enforcement contexts; rapid analysis and prompt decision-making in enforcement, corrections, security, or related fields; OR
• Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one full year of graduate-level education in a related field (criminal justice, homeland security, forensic technology, etc.); OR
• Combination of experience and education (evaluated from resume/transcripts)

Candidates with prior federal civilian or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9/GS-11). Veterans’ experience and preference rules may apply.

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Other Legal & Eligibility Requirements

To comply with federal hiring rules and public-safety standards, all candidates must meet the following:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Must have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• Age requirement: candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday per applicable law; exceptions apply for certain prior federal civilian law enforcement service and Veterans’ Preference eligibility
• Successful completion of background investigation and suitability checks (including criminal history, credit, and security checks)
• Medical examination, drug testing, and physical fitness standards apply
• Ability to complete Academy training and to speak/read English; Academy training includes instruction to improve Spanish proficiency where required

Confidential Client will comply with all applicable federal and state employment laws for locations where this role is posted and will provide any required pay transparency and disclosures applicable in those jurisdictions.

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Preferred Attributes

• Prior public safety, security, corrections, military police, or law enforcement experience
• Demonstrated ability to work in remote or austere conditions
• Strong judgment, resilience, and ability to operate within structured rules and protocols
• Spanish language proficiency is beneficial (training provided)

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Selection Process & What to Expect

Selected candidates will be evaluated based on resume and supporting documents, the BPA Entrance Exam, medical and psychological screening, background investigation, and fitness standards. Offers may include duty-station selection and incentive details.

Confidential Client and Careertakes are committed to an inclusive hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection process, please indicate this when contacted by the hiring team.

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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.