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 (border security / homeland security).

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

---

What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is hiring full-time, entry-level Border Patrol Agents to join a federal law enforcement career path focused on safeguarding the nation’s borders. This role combines field patrol, investigative work, and public-safety operations.

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Conduct surveillance and interdiction operations (day and night), including use of infrared and other observation tools.
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic and transportation checks, city patrols, and related assignments.
• Patrol boundaries and waterways using vehicles, horses, watercraft, ATVs, motorcycles, and other government assets.
• Work as part of a team to deter illicit activity and protect the public.

---

Salary & Incentives

Confidential Client offers competitive federal pay scales and benefits. Annual base salary for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents varies by grade:

• GL-5 / GL-7: $51,632 – $92,912 per year (grade-dependent; locality pay may apply)

Recruitment & retention incentives available:

• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after successful completion of the academy, remaining $10,000 for accepting certain prioritized locations).
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for qualifying new hires.

Additional benefits:

• Health, dental, and other insurance 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 eligibility for promotion after prescribed service time.

---

Duty Locations & Assignment Notes

Duty assignments are based on operational need and may require relocation. Some offers may include assignments in mission-critical or prioritized locations (examples listed below). Locality pay varies by duty location and can increase overall compensation.

Representative duty locations (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Del Rio Sector: Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector: Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• El Centro Sector: El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Tucson Sector: Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Casa Grande, Three Points, Willcox
• San Diego Sector: Boulevard, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Yuma Sector: Blythe, Yuma, Wellton
• Additional sectors include Buffalo, Grand Forks, Havre, Houlton, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Spokane, Swanton

RELOCATION MAY BE REQUIRED. You will be asked to select preferred locations but final assignment is determined at time of offer.

---

Qualifications

You may qualify at different entrance grades depending on your experience and education.

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

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations and procedures, and gather information through questioning and document review; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year) from an accredited institution; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college education (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

GL-7 — one of the following:

• One year of specialized work experience demonstrating skills such as: making sound firearms judgments; dealing courteously and tactfully with the public in law-enforcement contexts; analyzing information rapidly and making prompt decisions (examples: criminal enforcement, corrections, security, military police); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA, class standing, or honor society), OR
• One full year of graduate-level education in a law-enforcement-related field, OR
• A qualifying combination of education and experience.

Additional notes:

• Prior federal or military law-enforcement experience may qualify you for higher-grade consideration (GL-9 / GS-11). Submit applicable documentation.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Residency requirement: primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age requirement: applicants must be referred before reaching their 40th birthday under certain federal law-enforcement retirement provisions. Exceptions apply for some veterans and current/former covered federal LEOs.
• Veterans’ Preference and certain hiring authorities may apply.

---

Other Requirements & Training

• Formal training: Hires attend the federal Border Patrol Academy (approx. 6 months) for intensive instruction (laws, operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, language training).
• Language: Ability to speak/read Spanish is helpful; language training is provided in the academy.
• Background checks, medical and fitness assessments, and certifications required for federal law-enforcement service.
• Ability to work variable schedules, remote field locations, and challenging environments.

---

Preferred Attributes

• Prior experience in public safety, security, corrections, or military police.
• Strong decision-making under pressure, good judgment with firearms, and effective communication skills.
• Physical fitness and willingness to complete rigorous training.
• Commitment to public service and teamwork.

---

Next Steps

Confidential Client will evaluate candidates based on resume, supporting documents (transcripts when required), and entrance assessments. The formal application will include a job announcement and instructions for submitting required materials. (Note: the original posting’s application steps have been intentionally omitted here — applicants will be directed to the Confidential Client’s official hiring portal by Careertakes during the referral process.)

---

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.