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 & 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 to join a federal law enforcement team protecting the nation’s borders and communities. This is a full-time, career-track position where you'll receive intensive paid training and perform a range of operational duties.

• Conduct inspections, interviews, and document examinations to detect immigration and customs violations.
• Patrol border areas and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, ATVs, vessels and other assets.
• Maintain covert and overt surveillance (including night operations with infrared equipment).
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband.
• Perform building, farm, traffic, city patrols and transportation checks.
• Make arrests and exercise sound judgment consistent with law enforcement duties after completing required training.

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Qualifications

You may qualify at different grade levels depending on experience and education. Confidential Client will evaluate your qualifications based on your application, resume, and transcripts.

GL-5 (Entry-level) — one of the following:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making under stress, learning procedures via training, and information gathering; OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; OR
• A combination of education and experience (evaluated from transcripts and resume).

GL-7 — one of the following:

• One (1) year of specialized experience showing:
  • sound judgment in firearms use,
  • courteous and tactful law-enforcement interaction,
  • rapid information analysis and arrest/ enforcement experience (e.g., criminal code enforcement, corrections, security, military police); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, or honor society membership) OR one year of relevant graduate-level study; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education.

Additional mandatory requirements:

• U.S. citizenship.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Candidates must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday per law enforcement retirement provisions, unless exempt (e.g., certain prior federal civilian LEO service or Veterans’ Preference exceptions).
• Ability to speak and read English; Spanish proficiency training is provided at the Academy.
• May qualify for higher-grade consideration (GL-9 / GS-11) if you have prior federal or military law enforcement experience.

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Salary & Benefits

Pay transparency (annual base pay shown):

• GL-5 / GL-7: $51,632 – $92,912 per year (grade-dependent; locality and law-enforcement pay adjustments may apply).
• Adzuna estimate for this posting: $68,634 per year (estimated).

Incentives:

• Recruitment Incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Academy graduation; remaining $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations).
• Retention Incentives: up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for eligible hires.

Benefits:

• Federal health, dental, and vision plans.
• Generous annual and sick leave.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (federal retirement savings).
• Career ladder progression (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) with promotion eligibility after successful completion of required time-in-grade.

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Duty Locations & Travel

Duty assignments may include mission-critical locations across multiple sectors. Assignments are determined by operational need at time of offer and may require relocation. Some prioritized locations (for incentive eligibility) include sites in TX, NM, and AZ.

Examples of sector locations (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend, Del Rio, El Paso, El Centro, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Tucson, Yuma, San Diego, Spokane, Swanton, Havre, Houlton, Grand Forks, and Buffalo sectors.

Note: Location affects locality pay and some law enforcement pay provisions. Expect travel and overnight assignments as operational needs require.

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Training & Career Path

• Paid, formal training at the Border Patrol Academy (approx. 6 months) covering immigration/nationality law, law enforcement operations, firearms, driving, defensive techniques, and language training.
• Ongoing in-service training and opportunities for advancement into higher-grade LEO roles.
• Career stability, professional development, and the potential to serve in various operational and support assignments.

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Selection Process & Important Notes

• Applicants will be evaluated on resume, supporting documents (transcripts, etc.), and entrance exam results.
• The hiring process includes background investigation, medical and fitness evaluations, and required screenings per federal LEO standards.
• Confidential Client determines final duty assignment and grade placement.
• This posting does not replace the official job announcement(s) that will be provided through the federal hiring portal; follow all instructions in the official announcement(s).

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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.