Border Patrol Agent - Military veterans preferred

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) offers those interested in a career in law enforcement an exceptional opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission protecting America.

If you are looking for an exciting and rewarding job that also provides great pay, benefits, and job stability, now is the time to make your move.

***EARN UP TO $20,000 IN RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES

Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered a $10,000 recruitment incentive upon successful completion of the required training at the USBP academy. Agents accepting a position in one of USBP's hard to fill locations will be eligible for an additional $10,000 incentive. Conditions may apply.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring immediately for these full-time security-based opportunities.


Salary for GL-5 and -7
Salary for newly appointed GL-5 and GL-7 grade level Border Patrol Agents varies from $46,495 - $83,661 depending upon grade level duty location and work schedule, including overtime. A fully trained Border Patrol Agent may be eligible up to an additional 25% of base pay in accordance with the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level.

Salary for GL-9
Salary for newly appointed GL-9 grade level Border Patrol Agents varies from $59,021 - $95,192 depending upon grade level duty location and work schedule, including overtime. A fully trained Border Patrol Agent may be eligible up to an additional 25% of base pay in accordance with the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level.

Benefits
All agents receive the full package of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional 401(k) offering.


Duties and Responsibilities

As a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation's economic prosperity. Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

Typical activities include:
Detecting, preventing, and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the land borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions.
Responding to electronic sensor alarms; interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence; using infrared scopes during night operations.
Responding to aircraft sighting and other anti-smuggling activities and performing farm and ranch checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways and using a variety of Government assets for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission. These assets may include, but are not limited to motor vehicles, horses, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.
Occasional travel may be required based on operation needs.

Duty Locations:
Location determined by the needs of the agency. Job offers are made based on operational needs and requirements and are determined by the U.S. Border Patrol. Although the following locations will most likely be available, the duty location offered in your final offer letter may include any location within the Southwest Border region as follows: Big Bend Sector Texas, Del Rio Sector Texas, El Paso Sector Texas, Laredo Sector Texas, Rio Grande Valley Sector Texas, El Centro Sector California, Yuma Sector Arizona

Qualifications

You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following:
Experience: One year of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations; to learn regulations, methods, and techniques through classroom training and/or on-the-job instruction; and the ability to gather concise information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records; OR
Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited or college or university; OR will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within nine (9) months from the closing date of this announcement and will upload all official or unofficial transcripts before the closing date of this announcement; OR
A Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general work experience AND successfully completed college education. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GL-7 grade level if you possess one of the following:
Experience: One year of specialized work experience that shows you have the skills necessary to make sound judgments and decisions; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as training others, managing finances, code enforcement, doing compliance work, corrections, security, military, emergency responders, etc.; OR
Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership. Or will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. Or one full year of graduate level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR
A Combination of Experience and Education: This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 grade level. You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess the following:
Experience: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that shows that you have the ability to enforce local, state, and/or federal laws and regulations in a law enforcement capacity and otherwise have the authority or ability to do the following: plan and conduct investigations, plan and make arrests, serve court orders (warrants), use firearms, and/or deal with people in a persuasive, tactful, and resourceful manner.
Education Substitution: There is no education substitution for this grade level.


Other Requirements
Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.
Age Restriction: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).
Veterans' Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.
Formal Training: After you are hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement and USBP-specific operations, drivers training, physical techniques, firearms, and other courses. You will also be provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language and will be tested on your language abilities.


How to Apply
Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network page. For Position of Interest select Border Patrol Agent, then complete the pre-screening questions.
You will then be provided links the Job Opening Announcements (JOAs) on USAJOBS, the Federal Government's official employment site, to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opening announcement and follow all instructions in the application process.

If you have questions about the application process, contact a recruiter through the USBP website (www.cbp.gov/careers/usbp) and check the CBP calendar at www.cbp.gov/cbp-events-calendar frequently for upcoming informational webinars, in-person recruiter events, and virtual career events.