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 (Customs and Border Protection).

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

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) to join a federal law enforcement team focused on border security, immigration enforcement, and public safety. This is a field-facing role that combines investigative work, patrol operations, and community interaction.

• Detect and question people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions.
• Conduct surveillance, including covert night operations using infrared and other specialized equipment.
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry or smuggling.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, motorcycles, and other agency assets.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement partners and follow established federal procedures and reporting standards.

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs typically ranges by grade level: GL-5 / GL-7 — $51,632 to $92,912 per year (estimates may vary by duty location and locality pay).
• Comprehensive federal benefits including health and dental insurance, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
• Paid training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy (approximately six months) — includes instruction in immigration law, firearms, driving and defensive tactics, and language training.
• Opportunities for overtime, locality pay adjustments, and career-ladder promotions (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12).

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Incentives & Career Path

• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 for newly appointed agents (first $10,000 upon successful completion of the Academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention incentive: eligible candidates may receive up to $40,000 over the first four years, depending on assignment and agency criteria.
• Career growth: structured grade progression and promotion opportunities without reapplying, contingent on satisfactory service and time-in-grade.

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Where You May Work

Duty assignments may include Southwest Border stations and other mission-critical sectors across the U.S. Assignments are made based on operational needs and may require relocation. Examples of mission areas include (but are not limited to):

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Alpine, Marfa
• Del Rio Sector: Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass area
• El Paso Sector: Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa
• Tucson Sector: Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Sonoita, Casa Grande
• Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, San Diego, Yuma, and other sectors

Note: Duty location affects pay (locality and special pay provisions). Some prioritized locations are eligible for higher recruitment/retention incentives.

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Qualifications

You may qualify at the GL-5 level with one of the following:

• One year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, sound decision-making under stress, and ability to learn procedures and gather information; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year); OR
• A combination of general work experience and college education (evaluated from resume/transcripts).

You may qualify at the GL-7 level with one of the following:

• One year of specialized work experience showing capability to make sound judgment in firearms use, deal professionally with the public on law enforcement matters, analyze information quickly, and perform arrests after training; OR
• Bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of relevant graduate-level coursework; OR
• Combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated from resume/transcripts).

If you have prior federal or military law enforcement experience you may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9 / GS-11). Submit relevant transcripts and experience documentation for grade determination.

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Other Requirements & Important Notices

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is required.
• Residency: Must have primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age: Candidates must be referred before reaching their 40th birthday per applicable federal law enforcement retirement provisions, unless exempt (e.g., prior qualifying federal law enforcement service or Veterans’ Preference exemptions).
• Veterans: Veterans’ Preference and excepted-service appointments (VRA) may apply and can affect age/eligibility rules.
• Training: Successful candidates will attend the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, NM (~6 months). Spanish language proficiency is beneficial; language training is provided at the Academy.
• Physical/Medical: Must meet federal medical, fitness, and firearms standards for federal law enforcement officers.
• Relocation: Offers may require relocation to meet operational needs. Duty assignments are determined at the time of offer.

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Ideal Candidate Profile / Key Skills

• Interest in a long-term federal law enforcement career and public service.
• Good judgment, composure under stress, and decisiveness.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact professionally with diverse populations.
• Willingness to work irregular hours, in remote locations, and in outdoor conditions.
• Prior experience in public safety, security, military police, corrections, or law enforcement is advantageous but not required for entry-level BPAs.

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What to Expect Next

This listing is managed by Careertakes as a third-party recruiting partner. Applicants who move forward may be asked to complete a formal federal job announcement on USAJOBS and participate in assessments such as the BPA Entrance Exam. Recruiters will provide guidance on required documentation (resume, transcripts) and next steps in the federal application 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.