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, Legal.

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

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About the Role

This is an entry-level, full-time federal law enforcement opportunity for candidates seeking a long-term career protecting the nation’s borders. The confidential client is hiring Border Patrol Agents at GL-5 / GL-7 grade levels. Successful candidates will complete an intensive federal academy and join a mission-driven team performing patrol, surveillance, and enforcement activities. Prior public safety, security, military, or law enforcement experience may qualify candidates for higher starting grades.

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What You’ll Do

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration or customs laws and inspect documents and possessions to determine status or violations.
• Conduct surveillance, covert observation, and night operations using specialized equipment (e.g., infrared scopes).
• Interpret and follow physical evidence like tracks and marks to locate illegal entry or contraband.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other government assets.
• Make arrests and apply de-escalation, use-of-force, and evidence-collection practices after required training.

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Qualifications

You may qualify at GL-5 OR GL-7 depending on your experience and education.

GL-5 (minimum entry)

• One year of general work experience demonstrating sound decision-making, composure under stress, ability to learn regulations and procedures, and skills in gathering information through observation and questioning. OR
• A bachelor’s degree (or successful completion of a full four‑year course of study) from an accredited college or university. OR
• A combination of relevant experience and education (evaluated from your resume and transcripts).

GL-7 (specialized)

• One year of specialized work experience demonstrating law-enforcement‑related judgment and skills, such as:
  • Sound judgment and decision-making in the use of firearms,
  • Effective, tactful interaction with the public in law-enforcement contexts,
  • Rapid analysis of information and prompt decision-making, including arrest and enforcement duties. OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, or honor society), OR one year of graduate-level study in a related field (criminal justice, homeland security, forensic technology, etc.), OR a combination of specialized experience and education.

Other required conditions

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age requirement: Candidates generally must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday under applicable federal law (exceptions apply for certain prior federal law enforcement or veterans’ preference eligibilities).
• Successful completion of the federal academy (approximately six months) that includes training in law enforcement, firearms, physical techniques, driver training, immigration and nationality law, and Spanish language proficiency training as needed.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (DOE, grade dependent).
• Estimated pay shown on listings is an approximation and locality pay or statutory adjustments may apply.
• Recruitment incentive: newly appointed agents may receive up to $20,000 (paid in installments tied to academy completion and accepting prioritized locations).
• Retention incentive: newly appointed agents may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years.
• Federal benefits package including health and dental plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (a federal retirement savings plan).

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Location & Duty Assignments

Duty assignments are determined at the time of offer and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Relocation may be required and duty location affects pay (locality and statutory law enforcement pay adjustments).

Examples of mission-critical sectors and station areas include, but are not limited to:

• Big Bend Sector (Presidio, Van Horn, Sierra Blanca, etc.)
• Del Rio Sector (Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass, etc.)
• El Paso Sector (El Paso, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, etc.)
• El Centro Sector (El Centro, Indio, Calexico)
• Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, San Diego, Tucson, Yuma, and additional domestic sectors (Assignment lists are operationally determined and subject to change.)

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Selection & Training

• Selected candidates will be detailed to a federal Border Patrol Academy for approximately six months of paid training.
• Training covers immigration and nationality law, tactical and physical skills, firearms, vehicle operations, and Spanish language support.
• Candidates will be evaluated based on resume, supporting documents (transcripts, etc.), and any required entrance exams.

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Equal Employment Considerations & Accommodations

Careertakes and the confidential client are committed to compliance with federal, state, and local hiring laws. Reasonable accommodations are available during the application and hiring process for applicants with disabilities. Applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics, and hiring decisions are based on job-related qualifications.

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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.