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 & 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) for full-time, career positions in federal law enforcement. As an entry-level BPA, you will join a mission-focused team that protects the nation’s borders, deters illicit activity, and supports lawful trade and travel.

• Detect, question, and inspect people and belongings to determine admissibility and identify violations of immigration and customs laws.
• Conduct surveillance and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers near border areas, including nighttime operations using infrared and other surveillance tools.
• Interpret and follow physical evidence (tracks, marks) and conduct building, farm, traffic, and transportation checks.
• Patrol boundaries and waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, motorcycles, and other assets as assigned.
• Work shifts that may include nights, weekends, and variable hours depending on operational needs.

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Qualifications

You may qualify at different grade levels depending on experience and education:

GL-5 qualification (one of the following):

• One year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making, composure under stress, ability to learn procedures through training, and basic information-gathering skills; OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of general work experience and college credit (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

GL-7 qualification (one of the following):

• One year of specialized experience showing ability to make sound firearm judgments, handle law enforcement interactions tactfully, analyze information rapidly, and perform arrests after training; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA, class standing, or honor society) OR one year of relevant graduate-level study; 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). Experience in public safety, security, corrections, or military police is relevant.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base pay for newly appointed BPAs (grade-dependent): $51,632 – $92,912 per year.
• Confidential Client may offer locality pay adjustments and pay reform differentials in certain locations (up to an additional ~25% where applicable after full training).
• Benefits include federal health and dental plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement savings).
• Hiring incentives: up to $20,000 recruitment incentive (first $10,000 paid after academy graduation; additional funds for accepting prioritized locations).
• Retention incentives: eligible candidates may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years.

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Locations & Assignments

Duty assignments are made at the time of offer based on operational need and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Relocation may be required. Example mission-critical sectors and stations include (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Alpine, Marfa
• Del Rio Sector: Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector: El Paso, Fort Hancock, Lordsburg region, Las Cruces area
• Laredo Sector: Laredo, Hebbronville, Freer, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector: Rio Grande City, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen
• Tucson, San Diego, Yuma, Spokane, Grand Forks, Swanton, Houlton sectors and related stations

You will be asked to indicate preferred duty locations, but final assignments are determined by the agency’s operational needs.

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Eligibility & Other Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Residency: primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: candidates must generally be referred prior to their 40th birthday due to law enforcement retirement provisions; exceptions exist for certain veterans and prior federal LEOs—see official guidance.
• Formal training: selected candidates will attend the Border Patrol Academy (~6 months) for instruction in law enforcement, immigration laws, firearms, driving, physical techniques, and Spanish language proficiency. Language training will be provided as needed.
• Must meet physical, medical, and background requirements customary for federal law enforcement roles.
• Veterans’ preference eligibility and special hiring authorities (e.g., VRA) may apply in qualifying cases.

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How You’ll Be Evaluated (Overview — do not submit here)

Application review will consider your resume, supporting documents (transcripts where applicable), and performance on the BPA Entrance Exam. Relevant experience in law enforcement, security, military, corrections, or public safety strengthens candidacy.

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Important Notices

• This is a career ladder position with potential grade progression (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) based on time-in-grade and performance.
• Duty location affects pay rates and incentive eligibility. Prioritized locations may have additional hiring incentives.
• Careertakes is facilitating candidate matching for this opportunity; final hiring decisions and onboarding are made by the Confidential Client.

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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.