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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Why This Role Matters

confidential client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents for full‑time, career roles that protect the nation’s borders and support public safety. This is a long‑term federal law enforcement career with structured advancement, intensive training, and substantial incentives for qualified candidates who meet federal requirements.

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What You’ll Get (Salary & Benefits)

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs at GL‑5/GL‑7: $51,632 – $92,912 per year (grade depends on qualifications).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 upon completing Academy; additional $10,000 for accepting certain prioritized locations).
• Retention incentives: up to $40,000 over the first four years for qualifying agents.
• Potential locality and pay adjustments (a fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional ~25% of base pay under applicable law).
• Federal benefits including medical, dental, annual/sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (federal retirement/savings).
• Career ladder progression (GL‑5 → GL‑7 → GL‑9 → GS‑11 → GS‑12) with promotion eligibility after meeting time‑in‑grade requirements.

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Primary Duties & Responsibilities

As a Border Patrol Agent with confidential client, your typical duties will include:

• Detecting and questioning individuals suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspecting documents and possessions.
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers using surveillance, investigative techniques, and arrests.
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Conducting farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other government assets.
• Operating covert surveillance (including night operations with infrared equipment) and coordinating with team members to execute enforcement and interdiction activities.

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Minimum Qualifications

You may qualify for GL‑5 if you have one of the following:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, decision‑making in stressful situations, ability to learn regulations/methods, and information‑gathering skills; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four‑year) from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of education and experience (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

You may qualify for GL‑7 if you have one of the following:

• One (1) year of specialized work experience showing ability to make sound firearms judgments, deal tactfully with people in law enforcement contexts, analyze information rapidly, make arrests, or perform criminal enforcement/security duties; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (class standing, GPA ≥ 3.0, or honor society) OR one year of relevant graduate‑level coursework; 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). Evidence of experience and education will be reviewed during application.

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Other Important Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age restriction: candidates must be referred before reaching their 40th birthday under applicable law, except where statutory exceptions apply (e.g., certain prior federal civilian LEO service or Veterans’ Preference eligibility).
• Formal training: successful candidates will attend approximately six (6) months at the Border Patrol Academy for intensive instruction (immigration and nationality law, firearms, driving, physical techniques, Spanish language training, and agency‑specific operations).
• Language: ability to speak/read English is required; Spanish proficiency is beneficial and training is provided at the Academy.
• Duty assignment: offers may include positions on the Southwest Border and other mission‑critical locations. Relocation may be required; duty assignments are determined by operational need at time of offer.

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Typical Duty Locations (Selected Examples)

Priority and mission‑critical sites include (but are not limited to):

• Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, Ajo
• Stations across sectors such as Big Bend, Del Rio, El Paso, El Centro, Tucson, Yuma, San Diego, Rio Grande Valley, Buffalo, Spokane, Swanton, Havre, Houlton, and Grand Forks

Location selection will be requested during the hiring process, but final assignments are made by confidential client based on operational needs.

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Preferred Experience & Skills

• Public safety, security, military police, or prior law enforcement experience (preferred, may qualify at higher grade).
• Strong judgment and decision‑making in high‑pressure situations.
• Physical fitness, stamina, and the ability to complete Academy/field training.
• Interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity for interacting with diverse populations.
• Willingness to relocate and work irregular hours, including nights and weekends.

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Training, Career Path & Advancement

• Complete the Border Patrol Academy (approximately 6 months).
• Career ladder promotions occur after successful completion of required time‑in‑grade.
• On‑the‑job training, specialized assignments, and opportunities for advancement within federal law enforcement.

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Notes on Incentives & Pay Transparency

• The source posting lists GL‑5/GL‑7 base salary range: $51,632 – $92,912 per year for newly appointed agents.
• Incentives described: up to $20,000 recruitment incentive and up to $40,000 retention incentives (details and eligibility determined by confidential client and subject to program terms).
• Duty location and locality pay affect total pay — some locations receive higher locality adjustments.

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What to Expect Next

If you’re interested in an entry‑level federal law enforcement career and meet the qualifications above, you will follow the federal application steps and undergo resume/document review and entrance testing. (Application links and detailed instructions are provided through the confidential client’s official hiring portal; this posting omits application instructions per Careertakes policy.)

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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.