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).

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

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Overview

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (GL-5 / GL-7). This is a full-time, career-track federal law enforcement opportunity offering training at the Border Patrol Academy, strong benefits, and recruitment/retention incentives (up to $60,000 total in some cases). Duty assignments are nationwide and may include prioritized Southwest Border locations. Relocation may be required.

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What You’ll Get

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed BPAs: $51,632 – $92,912 (GL-5 / GL-7) per year.
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Academy completion; additional $10,000 for accepting certain prioritized locations).
• Retention incentives: eligible for up to $40,000 over the first four years (total incentives may reach up to $60,000).
• Federal benefits package including health, dental, annual and sick leave, and the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement).
• Structured career-ladder advancement (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) with automatic promotion after successful service time at each grade.
• Intensive, paid training at the Border Patrol Academy (approx. 6 months), including law, tactics, firearms, and driver training. Language training (Spanish) is provided as needed.

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Key Responsibilities

• Detect, question, and inspect individuals and possessions to determine citizenship status or law violations.
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers using surveillance, checkpoints, and patrols.
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry.
• Conduct farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other government assets.
• Operate discreet surveillance (including night operations with infrared equipment) and collaborate with teams to support mission objectives.

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Who Should Apply / Minimum Qualifications

You may qualify for GL-5, GL-7 (or higher if you have prior law enforcement/military LEO experience). Applicants must meet the specific criteria below:

General GL-5 eligibility (one of the following):

• One (1) year of general work experience showing the ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations/techniques, and gather concise information through observation and questioning.
• OR a bachelor’s degree (any field) from an accredited college/university.
• OR a combination of experience and college coursework (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

GL-7 eligibility (one of the following):

• One (1) year of specialized work experience demonstrating:
  • Sound judgment and decision-making in the use of firearms.
  • Effective, courteous interaction with the public in law enforcement contexts.
  • Rapid analysis of information and prompt decision-making (e.g., arrests, enforcement, security, corrections, military police).
• OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA, class standing, or honor society), or one year of graduate-level education in related fields (criminal justice, homeland security, forensic fields, etc.).
• OR a combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated from resume and transcripts).

Other baseline requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Must be referred for selection before age 40 under law enforcement retirement provisions — exceptions apply for certain prior federal LEO service or Veterans’ Preference eligibility.
• Formal training: successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy (approx. 6 months) is required after hire.
• Ability to speak and read English; Spanish language proficiency is helpful and training is provided where needed.

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Duty Locations & Assignment Notes

• Positions include mission-critical duty stations across numerous sectors (examples include sectors and stations in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Florida, New York, North Dakota, Washington, and more).
• Prioritized locations (eligible for additional incentives) include specific rural/southwest stations (e.g., Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, Ajo).
• Duty assignments are made based on operational needs at time of offer and may not match first-choice preferences.
• Locality pay and duty location affect total compensation; some locations qualify for higher locality or pay reform adjustments.
• Relocation may be required.

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Preferred / Helpful Experience (not required to apply)

• Prior public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience.
• Experience with firearms in professional settings, field surveillance, or search/investigation work.
• Spanish language skills or demonstrated aptitude for bilingual communication.
• Physical fitness and prior experience working outdoors in remote or austere environments.

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Physical & Legal Requirements

• Position involves physically demanding duties, irregular hours, possible exposure to outdoor elements, and use of field vehicles and equipment.
• Candidates will undergo background checks, medical evaluations, and other federal suitability requirements consistent with law enforcement roles.
• This posting does not change legal job qualifications — candidates must meet all federal law enforcement hiring and security standards.

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Application & Selection Notes

• This listing is managed by Careertakes as a third-party recruiting platform; the hiring organization is the confidential client (a federal law enforcement agency).
• The selection process includes evaluation of your resume, supporting documents (transcripts), and entrance exam performance.
• Where applicable, Veterans’ Preference and certain hiring authorities may modify some age or appointment rules.

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Legal & Compliance Notes

• Salary range and incentives are disclosed where available. Actual grade and pay are determined at time of offer and may vary by duty location and candidate qualifications.
• This posting follows applicable U.S. hiring laws and pay-transparency rules for the state(s) listed where salary information is provided.

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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.