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 (Federal Law Enforcement).

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

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Position Overview

This listing is for an entry-level Border Patrol Agent (BPA) role with a confidential client in the federal law enforcement space. This is a full-time, career-track position that includes paid academy training, a defined grade progression (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12), and eligible recruitment and retention incentives. Duty assignments may require relocation to mission-critical sectors along the Southwest Border and other stations.

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What You’ll Do

As a Border Patrol Agent you will help safeguard the nation by detecting, deterring, and interdicting unlawful entry and contraband. Typical duties include:

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws
• Inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
• Conducting surveillance (including night operations using infrared scopes)
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Performing farm, building, traffic, city, and transportation checks
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using patrol vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, motorcycles, and other assets

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Compensation & Benefits

Compensation and benefits include:

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Eligible for federal benefits (health, dental, retirement / Thrift Savings Plan, annual & sick leave)
• Paid, intensive training at the Border Patrol Academy (approximately six months)
• Opportunities for locality pay adjustments and career-ladder promotions

Incentives (subject to agency rules and assignment):

• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after academy completion; remaining $10,000 for accepting prioritized locations)
• Retention incentive: may qualify for up to $40,000 over the first four years
• Total potential incentives up to $60,000

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Duty Locations & Travel

Duty assignments may include mission-critical locations across multiple sectors. Candidates should expect:

• Possible assignments along the Southwest Border and other designated sectors
• Relocation may be required based on operational needs and the agency’s assignment at time of offer
• Duty location will affect pay via locality differentials and special pay provisions

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Qualifications

Minimum qualifications for initial grade determination:

GL-5 (entry): one (1) year of general work experience showing the ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn procedures through training, and gather concise information through questioning and observation; OR a bachelor’s degree; OR a combination of experience and education.

GL-7: one (1) year of specialized experience demonstrating ability to make sound firearms judgments, deal tactfully in law enforcement matters, analyze information rapidly, make prompt decisions (examples: criminal code enforcement, corrections, security, military law enforcement); OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement; OR one year of related graduate-level education; OR combination of experience and education.

Additional notes:

• Candidates with prior civilian or military law-enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11); consult the agency announcement for details.
• Spanish language reading/speaking ability is required; training is provided to reach proficiency if needed.
• This position requires successful completion of the agency’s entrance exam and the Border Patrol Academy.

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Other Requirements (Legal & Eligibility)

To comply with federal law and agency policy, applicants must meet these basic requirements:

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age requirement: candidates must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday under law enforcement retirement provisions (exceptions may apply for certain prior federal LEO service or Veterans’ Preference eligibility).
• Successful completion of background investigation, medical and fitness exams, and other hiring steps required for federal law enforcement.

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Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong decision-making and composure in stressful situations
• Ability to learn and apply federal law enforcement procedures and techniques
• Observational and investigative skills (questioning, record/document review)
• Physical fitness and adaptability to diverse patrol environments
• Spanish language proficiency or demonstrated ability to achieve it during training

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Why This Role?

• Structured career path with federal-grade progression and promotion eligibility
• Paid academy training and comprehensive federal benefits
• Competitive incentives to recruit and retain agents in prioritized locations
• Work with an experienced team performing a mission-critical public safety role

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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.