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Customs and Border Protection

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Watch Commander)

Department of Homeland Security · Freer, Texas

Salary
$129,891 - $168,864 per year
Pay grade
GS-14
Schedule
Full-time
Appointment
Permanent
Opened
Oct 26, 2026
Closes
Nov 6, 2026
Remote
No
Telework eligible
No
Openings
1
Security clearance
Not Required
Promotion potential
14
Announcement
USBP-IMP-13090439-BBM

Who may apply: Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) · Internal to an agency

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Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Laredo Sector, Freer Station located in Freer, TX. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

  • This position will allow you to use your expertise to prevent illegal entry of aliens into the United States by land, water, or air; enforce criminal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Laws; and seek out and apprehend smugglers or aliens who are in the United States illegally. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to protect the homeland. This position starts at a salary of $129,891.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $168,864.00 (GS-14, Step 10). The Watch Commander serves as a second-line supervisor, secondary-administrative law enforcement officer under 5 U.S.C. 8331 (6c) and 8412 (d)), duties and responsibilities include: Coordinating various activities related to law enforcement, including detention and processing operations; seized property; fleet maintenance and supplies; and facilities and office management; Facilitating community relations and partnerships with other agencies; Ensuring compliance and completion of major duties and responsibilities of subordinate supervisors and agents; Reviewing administrative and criminal cases for accuracy in order to ensure that all casework complies with legal guidelines;

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Providing technical and administrative direction and oversight for all Border Patrol related functions within an assigned area. Supervising, managing or directing operational programs and their appropriate support functions and directing local policy and program initiatives. Developing, managing or directing operational policy or programs related to Border Patrol operations. This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrated the ability to: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate law enforcement action in light of applicable laws, court decisions, and sound law enforcement procedures; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants. Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b),5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a rigorous position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a rigorous position; and have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43). If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180. Mandatory Prerequisite for Secondary Administrative LEO Retirement Covered Position: This position has been identified as Administrative, that is, an executive, managerial, technical, semiprofessional, or professional position for which experience in a primary/rigorous law enforcement or firefighting position, or equivalent experience outside of the Federal government is a mandatory prerequisite, as defined by 5 CFR 831.902 (CSRS) and 5 CFR 842.802 (FERS). Note: if you currently serve in a permanent Secondary LEO Retirement covered position, you are exempt from this mandatory prerequisite. Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish). Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State,…

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