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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Position Summary

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) to join a federal law enforcement career ladder starting at GL-5 / GL-7. This full-time, career-oriented position includes academy training, competitive base pay, federal benefits, and eligibility for recruitment and retention incentives. Duty assignments are mission-driven and may require relocation to prioritized or mission-critical locations.

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Salary & Benefits

Confidential Client offers a transparent compensation package for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents:

• Annual base salary (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Eligibility for federal benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement)
• Additional locality and law-enforcement pay differentials may apply depending on duty location

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Incentives

• Recruitment Incentive: Up to $20,000 for newly appointed agents (first $10,000 upon successful completion of the Academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention Incentive: Up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for qualifying hires.
• Combined incentives may total up to $60,000 depending on assignment and eligibility.

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Duty Locations & Assignments

Important: duty assignments are determined at the time of offer based on operational needs and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Relocation may be required.

Sample mission-critical locations include (non-exhaustive):

• Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Marfa (Big Bend Sector)
• Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass, Uvalde (Del Rio Sector)
• El Centro, Calexico, Indio (El Centro Sector)
• Yuma, Blythe, Wellton (Yuma Sector)
• Tucson, Nogales, Ajo, Douglas (Tucson Sector)
• San Diego Sector stations (multiple sites)
• Additional domestic sector stations across the U.S.

Note: Duty location affects pay rates and locality pay. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for additional pay per applicable law and agency pay reform provisions.

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Typical Duties & Responsibilities

As a Border Patrol Agent with Confidential Client you will be a sworn federal law enforcement officer performing tasks such as:

• Detecting and questioning individuals suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspecting documents and possessions
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers, including surveillance and interdiction operations
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Conducting farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation checks
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other government assets
• Applying law-enforcement techniques, making arrests after required training, and using force and firearms in accordance with agency policy and law

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Qualifications

Minimum qualifications for entry at listed grade levels:

GL‑5 (entry-level equivalency):

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, sound decision-making, composure under stress, and the ability to learn regulations and procedures; OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college coursework (evaluated via resume and transcripts)

GL‑7 (higher entry-level consideration based on specialized experience or education):

• One (1) year of specialized experience demonstrating ability to make sound firearms decisions; deal tactfully with the public on law-enforcement matters; analyze information quickly and make arrests or enforcement decisions; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA or class standing) or one year of relevant graduate-level study in law enforcement-related fields; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated via resume and transcripts)

Note: Candidates with prior federal or military law enforcement experience may qualify for higher grade levels (GL‑9, GS‑11, etc.) — submit detailed experience for evaluation.

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Other Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Residency: Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday per federal law-enforcement retirement provisions, unless an exemption applies (e.g., prior qualifying federal civilian law enforcement service or Veterans’ Preference exceptions).
• Veterans’ Preference and special hiring authorities (e.g., Veterans Recruitment Appointment) may apply and can affect age restrictions.
• Formal training: Selected candidates will attend approximately six months of intensive training at the Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM), covering immigration and nationality law, law enforcement operations, driver training, firearms, physical techniques, and language training when required.
• Language: Ability to speak and read English is required. Spanish proficiency is beneficial; agency-provided language training may be available.

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What We’re Looking For

Confidential Client seeks candidates who demonstrate:

• Strong judgment and integrity under pressure
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Physical fitness and willingness to complete rigorous academy and field training
• Adaptability to varied duty locations and shift schedules
• Commitment to public service and upholding federal law

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Selection & Evaluation

Candidates are evaluated on resume materials, submitted supporting documents (transcripts, etc.), and required assessments such as the BPA Entrance Exam. Prior law enforcement, military, or public-safety experience is relevant and should be documented.

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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.