About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by a Confidential Client in federal law enforcement (Customs & Border Protection).

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

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Overview

This entry-level Border Patrol Agent (BPA) opportunity is with a Confidential Client operating in federal law enforcement focused on border security and customs enforcement. This is a full-time, career-track Federal Law Enforcement Officer role (GL-5 / GL-7 grade levels) based in the Mar Vista / Los Angeles, CA area with duty assignments across mission-critical sectors. The role includes formal academy training, competitive federal pay and benefits, and monetary recruitment and retention incentives.

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Salary & Incentives

• Annual base salary (new appointees): GL-5 / GL-7 — $51,632–$92,912 per year (range reflects grade-level differences and locality adjustments).
• Estimated pay shown on some sources: ~$92,765 per year.
• Recruitment Incentive: Up to $20,000 (e.g., $10,000 after Academy; $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations).
• Retention Incentive: May qualify for up to an additional $40,000 distributed over the first four years.
• Eligible for federal benefits including health, dental, retirement (Thrift Savings Plan), generous annual and sick leave, and law enforcement locality pay (up to additional pay in some locations).

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What You’ll Do

As a Border Patrol Agent you will protect the border and enforce immigration/customs laws. Typical duties include:

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of immigration/customs violations and inspecting documents and possessions.
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers using surveillance and field tactics (including night operations with infrared equipment).
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Conducting farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling boundaries and coastal waterways using a variety of assets: vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.

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Required Qualifications

You must meet one of the following to qualify at the GL-5 or GL-7 levels:

GL-5 (minimum):

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

GL-7 (specialized experience or education):

• One (1) year of specialized experience showing you can:
  • Make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms;
  • Deal effectively and tactfully with people in law enforcement situations;
  • Analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions, including making arrests after required training;
  • OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement, OR one full year of related graduate-level education; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

Additional legal requirements (must be met):

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age limitation: Candidates must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday per applicable federal law enforcement retirement rules, unless exempt (e.g., certain prior federal LEO service or veteran exceptions apply).
• Veterans: Veterans’ Preference or Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) may change age/appointment conditions — check eligibility.

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Preferred / Helpful Experience & Skills

• Prior public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience (may qualify at higher grade levels).
• Experience making arrests and using force judiciously.
• Demonstrated decision-making in high-stress environments.
• Spanish language skills (reading and speaking) are highly valuable — academy training includes language proficiency development.
• Physical fitness, proven discipline, and adaptability for varied duty environments.

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Training & Conditions

• New hires attend the U.S. Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM) for approximately six months of intensive instruction: law, operations, firearms, driving, physical techniques, and language training.
• This is a career-ladder role (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12). Promotions occur after successful completion of required time-in-grade.
• Duty assignments are determined by operational need; relocation may be required. Prioritized locations may yield higher incentive payments.
• Work includes irregular hours, shift work, field operations, travel, and potentially challenging environmental conditions.

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Duty Locations

Duty assignments may include (not exhaustive): Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, Ajo, Del Rio, El Paso, El Centro, Tucson, San Diego, Rio Grande Valley sectors, and others across mission-critical border sectors. Some prioritized locations are eligible for additional recruitment incentives.

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What We Offer

• Competitive federal salary within the posted GL-5/GL-7 range.
• Up to $60,000 in combined recruitment + retention incentives (where eligible).
• Comprehensive federal benefits: health, dental, vision, retirement (TSP), paid leave, and training/career development.
• A long-term career in federal law enforcement with clear grade progression and promotion pathways.

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Compliance & Legal Notes

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and meet residency and age requirements described above; specific exemptions may apply (e.g., prior federal LEO service or veteran appointments).
• This posting follows applicable federal and state hiring rules. Because the position is in California and other jurisdictions with pay transparency laws, the posting includes the annual base salary range for GL-5/GL-7.
• Reasonable accommodations are available during the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please request it through the appropriate channels described by the hiring organization.

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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.