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.

---

What You’ll Do

This is an entry-level, full-time federal law enforcement role where you will join a mission-driven team protecting U.S. borders and public safety. Typical duties include:

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers using surveillance techniques (including night operations and infrared optics)
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry or contraband
• Conducting farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city and transportation patrols
• Patrolling land borders and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles as operational needs require

---

Why this role matters

As an agent with our client you will be part of a large federal workforce tasked with safeguarding the country, deterring illicit activity, and supporting lawful trade and travel. This position offers a clear career ladder, strong benefits, and significant recruitment/retention incentives for qualified candidates.

---

Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed agents (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year
• Additional compensation opportunities: locality pay adjustments and pay reform provisions may apply in certain duty locations
• Federal benefits package including health and dental plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (federal retirement savings)

---

Recruitment & Retention Incentives

• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 for newly appointed agents (first $10,000 paid after successful completion of the academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location)
• Retention incentive: eligible newly appointed agents may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years
• NOTE: Some incentives are tied to accepting prioritized or mission-critical duty locations.

---

Where you may be assigned

Duty assignments are determined at the time of offer based on operational needs and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Relocation may be required. Examples of mission-area stations include (not exhaustive):

• Big Bend Sector: Presidio, Van Horn, Sierra Blanca, Sanderson, Alpine, Marfa
• 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
• Laredo Sector: Laredo, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Freer, Zapata
• San Diego Sector: Boulevard, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Tucson Sector: Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Willcox

A fully trained agent may be eligible for additional locality pay and career-ladder promotion opportunities (GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12) per agency policy.

---

Qualifications

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

• One year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, decision-making under stress, and the ability to learn regulations and methods through training or on-the-job instruction; OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; OR
• A combination of education and experience (evaluated from resume and transcripts)

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

• One year of specialized experience showing the ability to make sound judgments in the use of firearms; to deal effectively and tactfully with the public in law enforcement contexts; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions related to arrests, criminal enforcement, security, or related occupations; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (high GPA, class standing or honor society membership), one year of relevant graduate-level study, or a combination of experience and education (evaluated from resume and transcripts)

Note: Candidates with prior federal or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9 / GS-11). Previous experience will be considered according to the agency’s grade-level announcements.

---

Preferred skills & abilities

• Ability to remain composed and make sound decisions in stressful or rapidly changing situations
• Strong observational skills and attention to detail for evidence and document inspection
• Physical fitness and the ability to complete an intensive training academy
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including courteous but firm interactions in law enforcement contexts
• Willingness to learn Spanish; language training is provided during formal academy instruction

---

Other requirements & eligibility

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years
• Age restriction: candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday, per federal law enforcement retirement provisions; exceptions may apply for certain veterans or prior federal law enforcement service
• You will be detailed to an approximately six-month intensive training academy (Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, NM) after hire — training includes laws, law enforcement tactics, firearms, driver training, physical techniques, and Spanish language development
• Veterans’ preference and certain hiring authorities may apply; eligibility for excepted service appointments may remove some age restrictions

---

What we look for in your application (high-level)

• A clear, up-to-date resume showing relevant work experience and/or education
• Official or unofficial transcripts if you claim education-based qualification
• Demonstrated examples of decision-making, public-safety experience, or other relevant work that aligns with law enforcement duties
• Ability to complete required pre-employment investigations, medical and fitness standards, and entrance testing

---

Notes on relocation & assignments

• Duty assignment is driven by operational needs and may not match your first-choice preference
• Accepting certain prioritized or mission-critical locations may be tied to incentive payments
• Locality pay and duty station affect total compensation

---

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.