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 & 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 entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) to join a federal law enforcement team that protects national borders and supports homeland security operations. This is a full-time, career-track position with training and promotional opportunities.

Typical duties include:

• Detecting, questioning, and inspecting persons and possessions to determine citizenship or violations of immigration and customs laws
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers using surveillance, observations, and tactical operations
• Interpreting physical evidence, tracking, and marks related to illegal entry
• Conducting farm, building, traffic, city, and transportation checks
• Patrolling land and coastal boundaries using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, off‑road vehicles, and motorcycles as needed

---

Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (grade- and locality-dependent)
• Estimated midpoint for this posting: $87,958 per year (estimate shown for candidate context)
• Federal benefits package including health and dental plans, paid annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a ROTH 401(k))
• Paid training at the Border Patrol Academy and career-ladder promotions (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12)

Incentives (as advertised):

• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 total (first $10,000 after successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location)
• Retention incentive: eligible for up to $40,000 over the first four years for qualifying hires
• Potential locality and specialty pay increases (a fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay under applicable pay reform rules)

---

Duty Locations

IMPORTANT: Duty assignments are determined at the time of offer and may include mission-critical locations on the Southwest Border and other sectors. Relocation may be required.

Candidates will be asked to select preferred mission-critical locations; examples include (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector — Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Alpine, 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
• El Centro Sector — El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• San Diego Sector — Boulevard, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Tucson Sector — Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Sonoita, Casa Grande
• Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, Yuma, Spokane, Grand Forks, Havre, Houlton, Swanton sectors

Please note that prioritized locations are subject to operational need and may impact incentive eligibility.

---

Qualifications

You may qualify at GL-5 or GL-7 depending on experience and education:

GL-5 (entry-level) — one of:

• One year of general work experience showing ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations/methods, and gather information through questioning/observation; OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college-level education (evaluated from resume and transcripts)

GL-7 — one of:

• One year of specialized work experience demonstrating:
  • Sound judgment and decision-making in use of firearms
  • Effective, tactful interactions in law enforcement contexts
  • Ability to analyze information rapidly and make prompt law‑enforcement decisions (arrests, code enforcement, corrections, security, military, etc.)
• OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA/class standing/honor society) OR one year of relevant graduate-level study in criminal justice, homeland security, forensic technology, or related fields
• OR a combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated from resume and transcripts)

Note: Candidates with prior federal or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9 / GS-11) under separate announcements.

---

Other Requirements & Training

• U.S. citizenship required
• Must have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• Age requirement: candidates must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday (exceptions apply for certain federal law enforcement or veteran-status conditions)
• Veterans may be eligible for specific hiring authorities (e.g., VRA)
• After hire, candidates attend approximately six months of intensive training at the Border Patrol Academy (immigration/nationality law, law enforcement operations, driving, firearms, physical techniques). Spanish language proficiency is important; training to improve Spanish reading/speaking is provided
• Must meet all medical, physical fitness, background, and security clearance requirements applicable to federal law enforcement positions

---

Recruiting Process & Candidate Considerations

Confidential Client evaluates candidates based on submitted resume, supporting documents (transcripts if claiming education), and entrance exam results. This is a mission-focused federal law enforcement role that requires flexibility in assignment and a commitment to public safety.

---

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.