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, Legal.

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 full-time, entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) at GL-5/GL-7 grade levels to join federal law enforcement operations. This role is mission-driven: you’ll help protect the border, deter illicit activity, and support lawful trade and travel.

• Detect, question, and inspect people and possessions to determine compliance with immigration and customs laws
• Maintain surveillance (including night operations using infrared equipment) and apprehend undocumented noncitizens or smugglers
• Interpret tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Perform farm, building, traffic, and transportation checks, and conduct city patrols
• Patrol boundaries and waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles, as required by mission needs

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Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is grade-dependent and tied to federal pay scales and locality adjustments.

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Estimated midpoint / example pay appears in some listings (varies by location)
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after Academy graduation; additional $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations)
• Retention incentive: may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years
• Federal benefits include medical/dental plans, paid annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement savings)

Note: Locations with higher locality pay may increase total compensation. All pay and incentives are subject to program rules and eligibility.

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Location & Travel

Primary listing location: Smiley, TX (county ZIP 78159). Duty assignments may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical sectors nationwide. Prioritized and available duty locations include (but are not limited to):

• Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Marfa (Big Bend area)
• Wellesley Island (Buffalo Sector)
• Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass area
• El Paso area locations (including Lordsburg and Las Cruces)
• El Centro, San Diego, Tucson, Yuma sectors
• Additional national and seasonal assignments across multiple states

Relocation may be required. Duty assignment is determined at time of offer based on operational needs and may not match preferred location.

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Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum qualifications differ by grade level. Applicants must meet ALL legal and role-specific requirements.

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

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

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

• One (1) year of specialized experience showing ability to use firearms with sound judgment; interact courteously and tactfully in law enforcement contexts; rapidly analyze information and make prompt decisions (experience may come from criminal code enforcement, corrections, security, military, etc.); OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one full year of graduate-level education in a related field (criminal justice, homeland security, forensic technology, etc.); OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education (evaluated via resume and transcripts)

Other requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen (BFOQ for federal law enforcement)
• Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years
• Must be referred for selection before reaching 40th birthday unless an exception applies (e.g., certain prior federal law enforcement service or Veterans’ Preference eligibility)
• Language: ability to speak and read English; training is provided to develop Spanish proficiency
• Successful candidates will be required to pass background investigations, medical and fitness standards, and selection assessments (including the BPA Entrance Exam). Additional security and suitability checks apply.

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Training & Career Path

• Successful hires attend the Border Patrol Academy (~6 months) for intensive instruction in immigration and nationality law, driver training, firearms, physical techniques, and mission-specific operations
• This is a career-ladder position: GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12; promotions may be available automatically after completing required time-in-grade
• On-the-job development, specialized assignments, and opportunities for advancement are common for career-focused officers

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Selection & Screening

Applicants will be evaluated using resumes, supporting documentation (e.g., transcripts), and entrance assessments. Expect standard federal LEO screening processes: background checks, physical fitness and medical evaluations, and required training. Confidential Client will comply with all applicable federal and state employment laws and will consider reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.

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What We Look For (Skills & Attributes)

• Integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to make decisions under pressure
• Professionalism and strong interpersonal skills when dealing with the public and partners
• Observational and analytical skills for investigative tasks
• Physical fitness and willingness to work irregular hours and in austere field conditions
• Prior public safety, security, military, or law enforcement experience is beneficial and may qualify candidates for higher-grade consideration

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Notes & Legal Compliance

This posting is intended to comply with U.S. federal hiring requirements and applicable state laws where the role is advertised. Where state pay-transparency laws apply, the salary range provided above reflects the information available in the source posting. Confidential Client will adhere to all anti-discrimination and accommodation obligations.

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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.