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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Overview

This is an entry-level, full-time Border Patrol Agent role supporting a confidential client in federal law enforcement. The role is a long-term career position with formal academy training and a clear promotion ladder (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12). Candidates may be eligible for recruitment and retention incentives.

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What You’ll Do

• Serve as a federal law enforcement officer conducting border and coastal patrols to detect and deter illegal entry and smuggling.
• Inspect documents and possessions; question individuals suspected of immigration or customs violations.
• Maintain surveillance, including covert night operations using infrared and other surveillance equipment.
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Conduct farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation inspections.
• Operate vehicles and other assets (cars, ATVs, boats, horses, motorcycles, snowmobiles) as assigned.
• Work shift schedules and deploy to mission-critical stations as required by operational needs.

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Qualifications

Minimum qualifications (apply-at-hire grade depends on which of the options below you meet):

GL-5 (entry level) — one of:

• One year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making under stress, ability to learn rules/procedures, and information gathering via observation and questioning.
• A bachelor’s degree (any field) from an accredited institution.
• A combination of relevant experience and college credit (evaluated from your resume and transcripts).

GL-7 — one of:

• One year of specialized experience such as law enforcement, corrections, security, military police, or similar roles demonstrating:
  • sound judgment in firearm use,
  • effective interpersonal skills in law enforcement contexts,
  • ability to analyze information quickly and make prompt decisions (including making arrests after required training).
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA, class standing, or honor society) or one year of relevant graduate-level coursework.
• A combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated from documents you submit).

Other required criteria:

• U.S. citizenship.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Must be referred for selection before reaching 40th birthday, unless exempt under federal law (veterans’ preference or prior qualifying federal LEO service may apply).
• Ability to speak and read English; Spanish proficiency training is provided during the Academy.
• Meet federal background, medical, fitness, and training standards.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed agents (GL-5/GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (varies by grade and locality pay).
• Estimated pay example on listing: $71,280 per year (estimate).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 paid after Academy completion; additional $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention incentives: may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years.
• Federal benefits package including health, dental, retirement (Thrift Savings Plan), generous leave, and other standard federal employee benefits.
• Career-ladder promotion eligibility after completing required time-in-grade.

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Training & Career Path

• Successful hires attend the confidential client’s formal academy (approximately six months) for classroom and field instruction: immigration & nationality law, driver and firearms training, physical techniques, and operational procedures.
• This is a career-ladder role with structured progression (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) and promotional opportunities tied to successful time-in-grade and performance.

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Duty Locations & Travel

• Duty assignments may include mission-critical and prioritized stations across multiple sectors. Candidates will be asked to select preferred locations but assignments are based on operational needs; relocation may be required.
• Example mission-critical locations include (not exhaustive): Presidio, Van Horn, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson, Marfa, Wellesley Island, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Lordsburg (NM), El Paso area stations, El Centro, Pembina, Havre-area stations, Houlton-area stations, Laredo sector stations (including Hebbronville, Freer), Rio Grande Valley sector, San Diego sector, Spokane sector, Swanton sector, Tucson sector (including Ajo and Nogales), and Yuma sector (Blythe, Yuma, Wellton).
• Locality pay and duty location can materially affect total compensation.

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Selection & Evaluation

• Candidates are evaluated on resume, supporting documents (transcripts, etc.), and entrance exam performance.
• Prior relevant law enforcement or military police experience may qualify you for higher-grade consideration (GL-9 / GS-11).
• Veterans’ preference and certain excepted appointments (VRA) may apply.

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Legal & Compliance Notes

• This listing follows federal and state hiring requirements. Employment eligibility, background checks, medical and fitness standards, and age/residency rules are applied consistent with federal law.
• No company names are shown; the employer is listed as a confidential client.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the hiring process, notify the recruiter or hiring contact provided by Careertakes.

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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.