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 (confidential client).

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

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Overview

confidential client is recruiting full-time, entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) at GL-5 and GL-7 grade levels for multiple duty locations in the Southwest and across the U.S. This is a federal law enforcement career with academy training, a structured promotion ladder, comprehensive benefits, and up to $60,000 in hiring/retention incentives for eligible hires.

• Salary range (newly appointed BPAs, GL-5/GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Estimated midpoint shown on some listings: $64,966/year (varies by duty location and locality pay)
• Hiring incentives: up to $20,000 recruitment incentive (first $10,000 paid after academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location) plus up to $40,000 retention incentive over first four years
• Position type: Full-time, federal civil service (career ladder: GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12)

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What You’ll Do

As an entry-level Border Patrol Agent with confidential client you will help protect the nation’s borders and deter illicit activity. Typical assignments and tasks include:

• Detect, question, and inspect people and possessions to determine citizenship and potential violations
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented entrants and smugglers, including night surveillance using infrared equipment
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband
• Conduct farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, watercraft, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other government assets

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Qualifications

You may qualify for GL-5 or GL-7 based on combinations of experience and education. Examples:

GL-5 (typical entry level):

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating the ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn rules and methods, and gather concise information through questioning and observation; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year) from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college coursework (evaluated from your resume and transcripts)

GL-7 (specialized/advanced entry):

• One (1) year of specialized work experience showing ability to make sound firearm judgments, interact tactfully in law enforcement situations, analyze information quickly, make arrests, or work in criminal enforcement/security/military police; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, or honor society), or one year of relevant graduate-level study; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (documented via resume/transcripts)

Additional requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required
• Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• Age restriction: candidates must be referred before their 40th birthday in accordance with federal LEO retirement provisions (some exceptions apply for current/prior federal civilian law enforcement or Veterans’ Preference eligibility)
• Formal training: successful candidates will attend approximately six months of intensive instruction at the Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM), which covers law, operations, firearms, driving, physical techniques, and language training
• Language: ability to speak and read English; trainees are provided Spanish language training at the Academy (Spanish proficiency is valuable and often required on the job)
• Veterans and prior law enforcement/military experience may qualify candidates for higher-grade consideration (GL-9 / GS-11)

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Duty Locations & Travel

Duty assignments may include Southwest Border sectors and other mission-critical stations nationwide. Candidates will be asked to select preferred locations, but final duty assignment is based on operational needs and may require relocation.

Sample mission-critical locations (selected examples):

• Big Bend Sector — 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
• Tucson Sector — Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points
• Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, San Diego, Yuma, Grand Forks, Spokane, Havre, Houlton, Swanton sectors (and others)

Prioritized locations eligible for recruitment incentives include Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, and Ajo (see incentive details above).

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Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5/GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (varies with grade and duty-location locality pay)
• Up to $60,000 in additional incentives for eligible hires: recruitment and retention incentives (detailed above)
• Federal benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, generous annual and sick leave, and the Thrift Savings Plan (a federal retirement/401(k)-style plan)
• Career-ladder promotions with eligibility for advancement after completing required time-in-grade

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Selection & Training

• Candidates are evaluated on resume, supporting documents (transcripts, etc.), pre-screen questionnaires, and a BPA entrance exam
• Selected applicants attend the federal academy for approximately six months of intensive instruction
• Final hiring decisions are made by confidential client hiring managers and are subject to federal employment processes and clearances

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What We’re Looking For (Ideal Candidate)

• Motivation for a long-term federal law enforcement career (not “just a job”)
• Strong decision-making and composure under stress
• Good communication and observation skills
• Willingness to relocate and work irregular hours, including nights and weekends
• Prior public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience is a plus but not required

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Important Legal Notices

• Relocation may be required and duty assignment will be based on operational needs
• Age, residency, and citizenship requirements are federal eligibility criteria and must be met
• Applicants may be evaluated for Veterans’ Preference or other excepted hiring authorities where applicable

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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.