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 agency.

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

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Summary

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents to join a federal law enforcement career path protecting the nation’s borders and supporting homeland security operations. This role is full-time and offers a clear career ladder, comprehensive federal benefits, paid training, and recruitment/retention incentives.

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What You’ll Do

As a Border Patrol Agent (entry-level), you will perform front-line border security and enforcement duties. Typical responsibilities include:

• Conduct surveillance, detection, and questioning of individuals suspected of violating immigration or customs laws.
• Inspect documents and possessions to identify citizenship status and potential violations.
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented entrants and smugglers using surveillance, patrols, and investigative methods.
• Conduct farm, building, traffic, city, and transportation checks.
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, motorcycles, and other government assets.
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry or contraband.
• Operate surveillance equipment (including night-vision/infrared devices) and support investigative operations as required.

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed agents (GL-5/GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (grade and locality dependent).
• Estimated salary for this posting: $89,904 per year (estimated).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 paid after successful completion of the Academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations).
• Retention incentives: may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years.
• Federal benefits package including health, dental, vision, generous leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (federal retirement/retirement savings).
• Potential locality and law-enforcement pay enhancements (up to ~25% in some locations per applicable pay reform rules).

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Locations & Mobility

• Duty assignments may include Southwest Border sectors and other mission-critical stations nationwide. Duty location will be assigned based on operational needs; relocation may be required.
• Applicants will be asked to indicate preferred duty locations among multiple sector stations (examples include sectors with prioritized locations in TX, NM, AZ, CA, and others). Assignment at offer is not guaranteed to match preferences.

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Qualifications

You may qualify at the GL-5 grade level if you meet one of the following:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, decision-making under stress, and ability to learn rules and procedures; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year degree from an accredited college/university); OR
• A combination of general work experience and college-level education.

You may qualify at the GL-7 grade level if you meet one of the following:

• One (1) year of specialized experience showing skills such as sound judgment and decision-making in firearms use; effective, tactful interaction in law enforcement settings; rapid analysis of information and prompt decision-making in enforcement contexts (examples: criminal code enforcement, corrections, security, military police); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA/honors/class standing) OR one year of relevant graduate-level coursework; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education.

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

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Other Requirements & Important Notices

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Residency: Must have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Candidates must be referred before their 40th birthday per federal law-enforcement retirement rules, unless exempt due to prior qualifying federal civilian law-enforcement service or Veterans’ Preference exceptions.
• Veterans: Veterans may be eligible for special hiring authorities (e.g., Veterans Recruitment Appointment) and age exemptions where applicable.
• Training: Selected candidates will attend an intensive training academy (approximately six months) covering immigration and nationality law, law enforcement operations, firearms, driving, physical techniques, and other mission-essential skills. Training includes language support; applicants are expected to be capable of learning and using Spanish as needed.
• Medical, physical, and background checks apply as part of the hiring process.
• This position requires adherence to federal law-enforcement standards and the ability to operate assigned equipment and vehicles.

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Preferred / Helpful Experience

• Prior public safety, security, corrections, or military law-enforcement experience.
• Experience with surveillance, field patrols, or investigative work.
• Spanish language skills or demonstrated ability to learn language skills quickly.
• Experience operating off-road vehicles, watercraft, or specialized surveillance equipment.

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What You’ll Gain

• A long-term federal law enforcement career with opportunities for advancement along a clear grade progression (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12).
• Comprehensive federal benefits and structured career development.
• Paid academy training and opportunities for incentives tied to recruitment and retention.

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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.