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 (Customs and Border Protection).

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

---

Role & Responsibilities

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) to join a federal law enforcement team protecting the nation’s borders. This full-time, career-track role involves field operations, investigations, and public-safety missions where teamwork, sound judgment, and a commitment to service matter.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Detecting, questioning, and inspecting persons and belongings to enforce immigration and customs laws
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers, including covert surveillance and night operations using specialized equipment
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry or smuggling
• Conducting farm checks, building checks, traffic stops, city patrols, and transportation inspections
• Patrolling boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, and other assets as required
• Preparing concise reports and maintaining custody and processing procedures consistent with federal law enforcement standards

---

Salary & Benefits

Confidential Client offers competitive federal pay and comprehensive benefits.

• Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Estimated midpoint for this posting: approximately $80,395/year (Adzuna estimate)
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 paid after Academy completion; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location)
• Retention incentive: eligible for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years
• Additional locality and law-enforcement pay may apply; fully trained BPAs may be eligible for up to ~25% additional pay under applicable pay reform provisions
• Federal employee benefits: health, dental, life insurance, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement savings)

Note: Pay and incentives vary by grade level (GL-5, GL-7, etc.) and duty location.

---

Duty Locations

Duty assignments are determined at the time of offer and are based on operational needs. Some positions may be in prioritized mission-critical or Southwest Border locations where relocation may be required.

Common duty sectors and example stations include:

• Big Bend Sector — Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector — Wellesley Island
• Del Rio Sector — Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector — Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa
• El Centro Sector — El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Grand Forks Sector — Pembina
• Havre Sector — Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector — Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector — Laredo, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Freer, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector — Rio Grande City, McAllen, Brownsville, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector — Boulevard, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector — Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
• Swanton Sector — Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
• Tucson Sector — Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points, Willcox
• Yuma Sector — Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

---

Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must meet citizenship, residency, age, and experience/education criteria described below. Applications are evaluated based on resume, supporting documents, and the BPA entrance exam.

Minimums for GL-5 (entry level):

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating ability to take charge, make sound decisions under stress, learn regulations and techniques, and gather concise information through questioning and observation OR
• A bachelor’s degree (or completion of a full four-year course of study) OR
• A combination of relevant education and experience

Minimums for GL-7:

• One (1) year of specialized work experience showing law-enforcement–relevant judgment and skills such as firearms use, handling law-enforcement contacts tactfully, rapid information analysis, arrest authority, criminal code enforcement, correctional work, security, military police, or similar OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA 3.0+, class standing, or honor society), or one year of graduate-level study in a related field (criminal justice, homeland security, forensic technology, etc.) OR
• A combination of specialized experience and education

Additional notes:

• Applicants with prior law enforcement or military police experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9, GS-11); separate announcements may apply.
• Training: Selected candidates will attend approximately six months of intensive instruction at the Border Patrol Academy (Artesia, NM), covering laws, operations, driver training, firearms, physical techniques, and language training.
• Spanish language proficiency is beneficial; language training is provided at the Academy.

---

Other Requirements & Legal Notices

• Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is required.
• Residency: Must have primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age: Applicants must be referred before their 40th birthday per law enforcement retirement provisions (exceptions may apply for certain prior federal civilian LEO service or under Veterans’ Preference rules).
• Veterans: Veterans may be eligible for excepted service appointments (VRA); Veterans’ Preference may affect age restrictions and hiring consideration.
• Physical & background checks: Successful candidates must complete background investigations, medical and fitness evaluations, and meet federal law enforcement suitability standards.
• Reasonable accommodations: Confidential Client and Careertakes provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities in the hiring process—contact the recruiter for assistance.
• Relocation: RELOCATION MAY BE REQUIRED; duty assignment affects pay and benefits.

---

What to Expect Next

This posting supports initial interest and pre-screening. If you proceed through the Careertakes process, you may be directed to the federal job announcement(s) (USAJOBS) for full application and documentation submission. Final hiring decisions and onboarding are handled by the Confidential Client.

---

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.