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 (Border Security).

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

---

About the Role

This opportunity is for an entry-level Border Patrol Agent (BPA) at GL-5 / GL-7 grade levels. This is a full-time, federal law enforcement career with a mission-focused team responsible for safeguarding U.S. borders and public safety. The role includes Academy training, operational patrols, investigative activity, and opportunities for career progression.

---

What You’ll Do

• Detect, question, inspect, and evaluate persons and property to enforce immigration and customs laws.
• Conduct surveillance (including night operations with infrared), building/farm/traffic checks, and transportation checks.
• Patrol borders and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles as required.
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other evidence of illegal entry and contraband movement.
• Arrest and detain suspects as authorized after required training; coordinate with other law enforcement and partner agencies.

---

Qualifications

You may qualify at GL-5, GL-7 (and potentially higher) by meeting one of the following paths:

GL-5 (minimum):

• One year of general work experience demonstrating decision‑making, composure in stressful situations, and the ability to learn rules and methods; OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college education (evaluated from your resume and transcripts).

GL-7 (specialized):

• One year of specialized experience showing your ability to use firearms judiciously, handle law enforcement interactions tactfully, analyze information quickly, make arrests, or maintain informant contacts; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of relevant graduate-level study; OR
• A combination of experience and education (evaluated from your resume and transcripts).

Preferred / Helpful Experience: public safety, security, military police, corrections, or prior law enforcement experience (may qualify for higher grade-level announcement).

---

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base pay for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 - $92,912 per year (grade-dependent).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after successful Academy completion; remaining $10,000 for accepting certain prioritized locations).
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 additional over the first four years (may apply).
• Additional locality pay and law-enforcement pay adjustments may apply (a fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional ~25% per applicable pay reform rules).
• Federal benefits package: health, dental, life insurance options; generous annual/sick leave; Thrift Savings Plan (retirement); career ladder promotions (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) with eligibility after required service time.

---

Duty Locations & Travel

Duty assignments are determined based on operational needs and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical sectors. Assignments may require relocation.

Representative duty stations include (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Alpine, Marfa
• Del Rio, El Paso, El Centro, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, San Diego, Tucson, Yuma Sectors (multiple stations)
• Buffalo, Grand Forks, Havre, Houlton, Spokane, Swanton sector locations

Note: Some prioritized locations may be eligible for additional incentives.

---

Other Requirements & Important Notices

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required.
• Residency: Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Applicants must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday unless exempt under federal law (veterans’ preference or prior qualifying federal LEO service may apply).
• Veterans: Veterans’ Preference may provide exceptions (e.g., VRA appointments); previous federal LEO service can affect grade eligibility and age rules.
• Formal Training: Selected candidates will attend the Border Patrol Academy (approx. six months) for intensive training in laws, tactics, firearms, driving, physical techniques, and language support (Spanish training provided).
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required by law during the hiring process and while performing essential job functions.

---

How We Recruit

Careertakes partners with our client to facilitate the initial recruiting and candidate matching process as a third-party recruiting platform. Selected candidates will complete the client’s required screening, assessments, and federal application steps. Careertakes may present matched opportunities and guidance throughout the process.

---

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.