Law Enforcement - Border Patrol Agent (Recruitment Incentive)

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 and Benefits 

Salary for newly appointed GL-7 grade level Border Patrol Agents varies from $52,921 - $83,661 depending upon 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.  

Candidates with at least one (1) year of law enforcement experience and/or certain military backgrounds may qualify at the GL-9 grade level and make $59,021 - $95,192 depending upon exact location and work schedule, including overtime. 

Agents will also 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. 

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. 

• 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 vehicles, horses, vessels, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles. 

• Occasional travel may be required based on operation needs. 

 

Duty Locations: 

Job offers are made based on operational needs and requirements and are determined by the U.S. Border Patrol. Although the locations listed below 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 GS-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 for the GL-7 grade level: 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. 

 

You qualify for the GS-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.  

Note: There is no education substitution for this GS-9 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: 

To apply for this position, click the Apply button/link on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network page. Complete the information requested on that page and for Position of Interest select Border Patrol Agent. 

You will then be provided a link to 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/contact-border-patrol-agent-recruiter) and/or register for an upcoming webinar (www.cbp.gov/cbp-events-calendar) or virtual career event (www.cbp.gov/careerexpo).