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

Confidential Client is hiring entry‑level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) to join a federal law enforcement team protecting the nation’s borders. This is a full‑time, career position with classroom and field training, operational duties, and opportunities for advancement.

• Detect, question, and inspect individuals and property to determine citizenship status and violations of immigration and customs laws.
• Conduct surveillance (including night operations using infrared/thermal equipment) and apprehend individuals involved in unlawful entry or smuggling.
• Interpret and follow physical evidence (tracks, marks) and perform farm, building, traffic, city, and transportation checks.
• Patrol land and coastal boundaries using vehicles, ATVs, horses, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, or other government assets as assigned.
• Make arrests and prepare clear, factual reports; coordinate with teammates, commanders, and other law enforcement agencies.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (GL‑5 / GL‑7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (grade-dependent).
• Eligible for federal benefits including health and dental insurance, annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement).
• Locality pay and law enforcement pay differentials may apply depending on duty location. Career ladder promotions available (GL‑5 → GL‑7 → GL‑9 → GS‑11 → GS‑12) with time-in-grade promotions.

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Incentives

• Recruitment Incentive: Up to $20,000 for newly appointed BPAs (first $10,000 after successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention Incentive: Up to $40,000 possible over the first four years for qualifying BPAs.
• Total potential additional incentives noted in this posting: up to $60,000.

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Duty Locations & Assignment Notes

Duty assignments may include mission‑critical locations along the Southwest Border and other sectors. Candidates will be asked to indicate preferred locations, but final assignments are based on operational needs and may require relocation.

Representative duty locations include (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector — Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector — Wellesley Island
• 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
• 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, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector — Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, 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

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Qualifications

You may qualify at the GL‑5 grade with one of the following:

• Experience: One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating the ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations and procedures, and gather concise information through questioning and observation; OR
• Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; OR
• A combination of relevant experience and post‑secondary education (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

You may qualify at the GL‑7 grade with one of the following:

• Experience: One (1) year of specialized work experience showing ability to use firearms judiciously, deal tactfully with the public on law enforcement matters, analyze information quickly, and make prompt decisions (experience could include criminal code enforcement, corrections, security, military police, etc.); OR
• Education: A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of graduate study in a related field; OR
• A combination of experience and education (evaluated via resume and transcripts).

Note: Candidates with prior federal or military law enforcement experience may qualify at GL‑9 or GS‑11 levels (refer to applicable announcements).

Other legal and job requirements:

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age: Candidates generally must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday (exceptions apply for certain prior federal law enforcement or Veterans’ Preference eligibilities).
• Formal training: Selected candidates attend the Border Patrol Academy (≈ six months) for intensive instruction (law, tactics, firearms, driving, physical techniques).
• Language: Ability to speak and read English is required; Spanish proficiency is helpful and language training is provided.

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Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Strong decision‑making and situational awareness under stress.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied climates and to use diverse mobility assets (vehicles, horses, boats, ATVs).
• Integrity, teamwork, and commitment to public safety.

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What to Expect Next

If your qualifications match the GL level(s) described above, your application materials (resume, transcripts, and any supporting documents) will be evaluated. Candidates may be required to complete written exams, physical standards, medical and background checks as part of the federal hiring process.

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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.