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.

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Overview

Confidential Client is hiring entry-level Border Patrol Agents (BPA) to join a federal law enforcement team serving the nation. This is a full‑time, career federal law enforcement opportunity based in Yorba Linda, CA (duties assigned by the agency). Training at the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, NM is required.

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What You’ll Do

• Detect, question, and inspect individuals and property for violations of immigration and customs laws.
• Conduct surveillance, interpret physical evidence (tracks, marks), and perform checks (farm, building, traffic, transportation).
• Patrol border and coastal areas using varied assets (vehicles, ATVs, boats, horses, motorcycles).
• Support operations that deter illicit activity and protect the nation’s borders, often under physically demanding and high‑stakes conditions.
• Work both independently and as part of a team during day, evening and night shifts.

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Salary & Incentives

• Annual base salary range for newly appointed BPAs (GL‑5 / GL‑7): $51,632 – $92,912 per year.
• Estimated local midpoint shown by market tools: ~$88,561/year (estimate).
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 after academy; remaining $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location).
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 distributed over the first four years for eligible hires.
• Additional pay: locality adjustments and law‑enforcement pay provisions can increase effective compensation (up to ~25% in some locations).
• Federal benefits include health/dental insurance, paid leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (retirement).

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Duty Locations & Assignment Notes

• Duty assignments may include Southwest Border sectors and other mission‑critical locations; some prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Lordsburg, Freer, Hebbronville, Ajo.
• Applicants will be asked to indicate location preferences, but final assignments are based on operational needs.
• Relocation may be required. Pay and locality adjustments vary by location.

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Minimum Qualifications

You may qualify for GL‑5 (entry) if you have one of the following:

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

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

• One (1) year of specialized experience showing ability to exercise sound firearms judgment, perform law‑enforcement tasks (arrests, code enforcement, corrections, security, military police), and make rapid decisions; OR
• A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement or one full year of graduate‑level education related to law enforcement; OR
• A combination of experience and education (evaluated with submitted documentation).

Note: Applicants with prior federal or military law enforcement experience may qualify at higher grade levels (GL‑9 / GS‑11). Review grade‑specific announcements for details.

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Other Important Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must have had primary U.S. residency for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Age requirement: candidates must be referred before their 40th birthday per law enforcement retirement rules, unless an exception applies (prior federal civilian LEO service or Veterans’ Preference exceptions may apply).
• Applicants will undergo extensive vetting, background checks, medical/physical assessments, and training.
• Spanish language reading/speaking proficiency is desirable; language training is provided at the Academy.
• This posting does not guarantee a specific duty location or grade; offers depend on operational needs and application evaluation.

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Selection & Next Steps

• Candidates will be evaluated on resume, supporting documents (transcripts, veteran documentation if applicable), and BPA entrance assessments.
• Final hiring decisions are made by the client’s hiring officials following federal hiring rules and agency selection procedures.
• This listing omits the "How to Apply" instructions here on purpose; applicants should follow the application flow on the Careertakes/Candidate portal as directed.

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Why Join

• Career stability with a federal law enforcement employer.
• Comprehensive benefits and retirement plan participation.
• Training, career ladder promotions, and opportunities to serve in varied operational environments.
• Significant recruitment and retention incentives for eligible hires.

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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.