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, Customs and Border Protection — federal law enforcement.

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

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Role Overview

Confidential Client is seeking motivated candidates for full-time, entry-level Border Patrol Agent (BPA) positions (GL-5 / GL-7). This is a federal law enforcement career with classroom and on-the-job training at the Border Patrol Academy, opportunities for advancement through a career ladder, and eligibility for significant recruitment and retention incentives.

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What You’ll Do

As a Border Patrol Agent with Confidential Client you will:

• Protect the nation by detecting and preventing illegal entry and smuggling at or near U.S. borders.
• Conduct patrols by vehicle, foot, ATV, boat, horseback, and other government assets.
• Detect and question persons suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions.
• Conduct surveillance from covert positions (including using infrared scopes during night operations).
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Arrest and process violators after required training; gather and document evidence and reports.

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Why This Role (Key Benefits & Incentives)

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs: GL-5 / GL-7 range $51,632 – $92,912 per year.
• Confidential Client may offer up to $20,000 in recruitment incentives (first $10,000 after successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy; additional $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations).
• Potential retention incentives up to $40,000 distributed across the first four years (total incentives up to $60,000).
• Access to federal benefits including health and dental plans, generous leave, and 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 service in each grade.
• Training at the Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM) — approximately six months of intensive instruction, including firearms, driving, physical techniques, law, and Spanish language training.

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Duty Locations & Mobility

• Duty assignments may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Prioritized locations may include (examples): Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, Ajo.
• Confidential Client assigns duty locations based on operational needs. Relocation may be required.
• Pay may vary by duty location due to locality pay and BPA pay reform provisions (a fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay in some locations).

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Qualifications (Minimum Requirements)

You may qualify for GL-5 or GL-7 based on experience, education, or a combination:

• GL-5 (minimum): One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making, composure in stressful situations, ability to learn regulations and techniques, and ability to gather information through questioning and observation; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a combination of experience and education.
• GL-7: One year of specialized experience showing ability to make sound judgments with firearms; handle people courteously in law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions (examples: criminal enforcement, corrections, security, military police); OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of relevant graduate study; OR a combination of experience and education.
• Candidates with prior federal or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11). See applicable BPA announcements for details.

Other core requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Must be referred for selection before reaching your 40th birthday per federal law enforcement retirement rules, unless you qualify for an exception (e.g., prior federal civilian LEO service or certain veteran preferences).
• Ability to obtain and maintain required federal clearances and background checks.
• Successfully complete medical, fitness, and background requirements, including drug testing.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred; training is provided at the Academy to improve Spanish skills.

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Preferred / Valuable Experience

• Prior public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience.
• Experience with surveillance, tracking, and evidence collection.
• Strong decision-making, communications, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to operate a variety of patrol assets (vehicles, boats, ATVs, horses).

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Compensation & Employment Type

• Employment Type: Full time
• Base salary range for new hires (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 — $92,912 per year (note: actual pay varies by grade and duty location; locality pay and other adjustments may apply)
• Additional incentives: up to $20,000 recruitment incentive and up to $40,000 retention incentive for eligible hires.

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What to Expect in the Hiring Process

• You will complete pre-screening, submit resume and supporting documents, and may need to take the BPA entrance exam.
• If selected, you will attend the Border Patrol Academy (approx. 6 months) and complete required training before being assigned to a duty station.
• Confidential Client (via Careertakes) will provide information and links to official job announcements and application instructions. (Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this process.)

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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.