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.

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What You'll Do

As a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) with our confidential client you will perform frontline border security and federal law enforcement duties. Typical responsibilities include:

• Detecting, questioning, and inspecting persons and possessions suspected of violating immigration and customs laws
• Conducting surveillance and covert observation (including night operations using IR/thermal equipment)
• Interpreting and following physical evidence such as tracks and marks
• Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation inspections
• Patrolling international boundaries, coastal waterways, and areas of responsibility using vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles, and other government assets
• Making arrests, completing incident reports, and coordinating with other law enforcement units

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year (grade- and locality-dependent)
• Estimated local-level salary referenced on job board: approximately $79,304/year (est.)
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Border Patrol Academy; additional $10,000 for accepting certain prioritized locations)
• Retention incentive: may qualify for up to $40,000 additional distributed over the first four years
• Federal benefits package that may include health, dental, and vision insurance; generous annual and sick leave; and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
• Potential locality and law-enforcement pay adjustments (a fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay under applicable pay reform)

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Locations & Assignments

Duty assignments are mission-driven and are determined at the time of offer. Candidates should expect:

• Possible assignments along the Southwest Border and other mission-critical sectors nationwide
• Relocation may be required; some prioritized duty locations are eligible for additional recruitment incentives
• Examples of mission-critical locations (not exhaustive): Presidio, TX; Sierra Blanca, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ; plus numerous sector stations across AZ, CA, NM, TX, and other U.S. regions

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Duties & Responsibilities (Typical Assignments)

• Detect and question individuals suspected of immigration/customs violations and inspect documents
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented non-citizens and smugglers through patrols and surveillance
• Use surveillance tools and interpret physical evidence of illegal entry
• Operate and maintain government vehicles and assets for patrol and interdiction missions
• Execute arrest procedures and follow legal protocols in enforcement actions
• Produce clear, accurate reports and maintain case documentation

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Minimum Qualifications

Qualification varies by grade level. You may qualify at GL-5 or GL-7 depending on experience and/or education.

GL-5 (entry-level) — one of:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision-making, composure under stress, ability to learn regulations/methods, and information gathering; OR
• A bachelor’s degree (four-year) from an accredited college/university; OR
• A combination of education and general work experience (evaluated via resume and transcripts)

GL-7 — one of:

• One (1) year of specialized experience demonstrating ability to exercise sound judgment with firearms, handle law enforcement situations courteously and tactfully, analyze information and make prompt decisions (examples: criminal code enforcement, corrections, security, military police); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of relevant graduate-level study in law enforcement-related fields; OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated via resume and transcripts)

Other requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required
• Primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• Candidates must be referred before reaching their 40th birthday per applicable law enforcement retirement provisions (certain federal law enforcement or veterans’ exceptions may apply)
• Veterans’ preference and Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) eligibility may apply
• Successful completion of background investigation, medical exam, and fitness/entrance testing is required
• Spanish language skills are valuable; language training is provided at the Academy

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Training & Career Progression

• New hires attend the Confidential Client’s federal law enforcement academy (approximately six months) for intensive instruction in immigration and nationality law, law enforcement operations, driver training, firearms, physical techniques, and language training as required
• This position follows a career ladder: GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12. Promotion to the next grade typically occurs after successful completion of 52 weeks at each grade level (no reapplication required)
• Ongoing on-the-job training, requalification, and career development opportunities are available

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Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Prior law enforcement, military, security, or public safety experience (preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments under pressure
• Firearms proficiency and safe handling (or demonstrated ability to train)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; clear, accurate report writing
• Spanish language ability is a plus; training may be provided
• Physical fitness, valid driving record, and ability to operate varied vehicles and equipment
• Integrity, teamwork, and commitment to public service

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Selection & Evaluation

Candidates are evaluated on resume and supporting documents, relevant experience and education, and performance on required examinations and screenings. Selection includes:

• Structured resume review and document verification
• Entrance exam and fitness/medical/psychological clearances where applicable
• Background investigation and security suitability checks
• Final hiring decisions are made by hiring personnel at 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.