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 & Border Protection.

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

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Key Responsibilities

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents for a mission-focused federal law enforcement career. 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 (including infrared scopes at night)
• Interpreting tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry
• Conducting farm checks, building checks, traffic and transportation inspections, and city patrols
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using vehicles, horses, vessels, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other government assets
• Making arrests, writing reports, and working with partners to support public safety and border security

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Salary & Benefits

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (GL-5 / GL-7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year.
• Estimated median for this posting: $80,703 per year (site estimate).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 on successful completion of the Academy; additional for accepting prioritized locations).
• Retention incentives: may qualify for up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years.
• Federal benefits package: health, dental, retirement participation (Thrift Savings Plan), paid annual and sick leave, and other federal benefits.
• Note: locality and pay differentials may apply depending on duty assignment; fully trained agents may be eligible for additional locality pay (up to ~25% in some locations per applicable pay rules).

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Minimum Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements to be considered:

• U.S. citizenship.
• 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 per federal law enforcement retirement provisions (exceptions apply for certain prior federal law enforcement or qualifying veteran service). See below for Veterans’ exceptions.
• Education / Experience options:
  • GL-5: One year of general work experience demonstrating responsibility, decision-making in stressful situations, ability to learn rules/procedures, and effective information-gathering; OR a bachelor's degree; OR a combination of education and experience.
  • GL-7: One year of specialized experience demonstrating judgment in firearms use, effective interaction in law enforcement contexts, rapid analysis and decision-making, and experience applicable to arrests or criminal enforcement; OR a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one year of relevant graduate-level education; OR a combination of education and experience.
• Applicants with prior law enforcement or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL-9/GS-11); refer to relevant announcements for details.
• Ability to complete required background investigations, medical and fitness standards, and any drug testing required by the employer.

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Other Requirements & Important Notes

• Formal training: selected candidates will attend approximately six months of intensive training at a federal Border Patrol Academy (including immigration law, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and language training). Spanish language proficiency is beneficial; training will support Spanish proficiency.
• Residency, security background checks, medical and physical fitness standards apply.
• Veterans’ preference: eligible veterans may be considered under applicable hiring authorities (e.g., Veterans Recruitment Appointment) that can affect age limitations and appointment status.
• This role requires law enforcement duties that may include overtime, shift work, and assignments in remote or austere environments.

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Work Locations & Mobility

• Duty assignments are based on operational needs and may include Southwest Border and other mission-critical locations. Relocation may be required.
• Some prioritized locations may offer additional incentives; you may be asked to indicate preferred mission-critical locations at application time.
• Example mission-critical locations (not exhaustive): Presidio, Sierra Blanca, Lordsburg, Ajo, Hebbronville, Freer, and many sector stations across the U.S.
• Confidential Client assigns duty locations at the time of offer. Locality pay and incentives vary by duty location.

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Training & Career Path

• This is a career-ladder position: GL-5 → GL-7 → GL-9 → GS-11 → GS-12 (promotion eligibility after completing required time-in-grade).
• You will receive paid Academy training and on-the-job training, plus opportunities for specialty training and advancement within federal law enforcement.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Prior public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience.
• Experience working in high-stress environments, strong decision-making under pressure.
• Spanish language skills or demonstrated ability to learn additional languages.
• Valid driver’s license and experience operating a range of vehicles and off-road equipment.

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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.