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, Legal / Law Enforcement (Homeland 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 hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) for full-time, career positions supporting border security and enforcement. This role is a federal law enforcement career path that includes intensive academy training, on-the-job development, and opportunities for promotion through a GL-grade career ladder (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12).

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What You’ll Do

As a Border Patrol Agent with Confidential Client you will:

• Detect, question, and inspect people and property suspected of violating immigration or customs laws
• Conduct surveillance and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers, including night operations using infrared equipment
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, boats, ATVs, motorcycles, and other government assets
• Work as part of a team to deter illicit activity and protect national security and economic prosperity

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year.
• Estimated midpoint for this posting: approx. $72,800 per year (varies by duty location and locality pay).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (split payments tied to Academy completion and prioritized-location acceptance).
• Retention incentives: may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years.
• Federal benefits package including health and dental plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (federal retirement savings).
• Additional locality pay adjustments and pay reform provisions may increase total compensation in some duty locations.

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Locations & Assignments

Duty assignments are determined by operational needs and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Relocation may be required. Prioritized locations (for additional incentives) include, but are not limited to:

• Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, Ajo
• Sector and station assignments across Big Bend, Del Rio, El Paso, El Centro, Rio Grande Valley, Tucson, Yuma, San Diego, and others listed by region

Duty location impacts pay rates and locality adjustments; some locations offer significantly higher locality pay.

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Qualifications

You may qualify at GL-5 if you have ONE of the following:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making, composure under stress, ability to learn rules/procedures, and information-gathering skills; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year) from an accredited institution; OR
• A combination of experience and education (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

You may qualify at GL-7 if you have ONE of the following:

• One (1) year of specialized work experience demonstrating skills such as:
  • Sound judgment and decision-making in the use of firearms
  • Effective, tactful interaction with the public in law enforcement contexts
  • Rapid information analysis and prompt decision-making in enforcement scenarios
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA, class standing, or honor society) or one year of relevant graduate education; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

Additional notes:

• If you have prior federal or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11). Review the applicable BPA announcements for those qualifications.
• Spanish language proficiency is beneficial; training to improve Spanish is provided at the Academy.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Residency requirement: primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age: Candidates must generally be referred for selection before their 40th birthday per federal law enforcement retirement provisions; exceptions may apply (e.g., certain veterans or prior federal LEO service).
• Veterans’ Preference: Veterans may be eligible for certain hiring authorities (e.g., Veterans Recruitment Appointment) that waive some restrictions.

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Training & Selection

• New hires attend the Border Patrol Academy for approximately six months of intensive training (immigration/nationality law, law enforcement operations, firearms, driving, physical techniques, and language support).
• Selection typically includes resume and document review, standardized entrance exams, background investigation, and fitness/medical requirements.
• Candidates are evaluated on work experience, education, exam performance, and supporting documents (resumes, transcripts, certifications).

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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.