Border Patrol Agent

Summary

*Recruitment Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. See the duties section for a list of prioritized locations. *Retention Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $30,000 in additional incentives distributed over the next three years.

Duties

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include: Detecting and questioning persons suspected of violating immigration and custom laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations Preventing, and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions to include using infrared scopes during night operations Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of Government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission. Salary: Selections from this announcement will be at the GL-5, GL-7, GL-9 or GS-11 grade levels with promotion potential to the GS-12. Promotions are not guaranteed and at the discretion of the agency. Your pay will be determined after you successfully complete all pre-employment processes. Pay rates are based on the 2026 OPM Salary Tables - these tables do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases. The ending salary posted includes overtime, if worked. Duty Locations: Before you submit your application you will be asked to select your preferred location. The location you select does not affect your application and it does not affect the locations that are offered to you at the time of your final offer. Big Bend Sector Stations - Alpine, Marfa Blaine Sector Stations - Blaine, Bellingham, Port Angeles, Sumas El Paso Sector Stations - *Lordsburg Grand Forks Sector Stations - Bottineau, International Falls, Pembina, Portal, Warroad Havre Sector Stations - Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Houlton, Rangeley, Van Buren Laredo Sector Stations - Laredo West New Orleans Sector Stations - Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, New Orleans San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo Swanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Massena, Newport, Ogdensburg, Richford, Swanton Tucson Sector Stations - Douglas, Brian A Terry, Three Points Substation Yuma Sector Stations - Blythe NOTE: The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a different duty location within the United States. *Additional $10K Recruitment Incentive: Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents who select a prioritized location at the time of their final offer will receive an additional $10,000 incentive (total of $20,000). Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ. Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC). For more information, please visit. Firearm Proficiency: This position requires you to carry a firearm. Firearm proficiency is required for all Border Patrol Agents and is part of the training provided.

Qualifications

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement. GL-5: You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One year of general experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level 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 conferred bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general experience AND successfully completed college education. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. GL-7: You qualify for the GL-7 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that shows you have the experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrates the skills necessary to: Make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms. Deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters. Analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions where you will be expected to make arrests after the completion of required training and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as criminal code enforcement, determining violations of laws, correctional or rehabilitation work involving criminal offenders, security, military, etc. OR Education Substitution: A conferred 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. Submitted transcripts must show the applicant does not have more than 10% pass/fail courses in order to qualify for SAA with GPA. Go to Superior Academic Achievement to see if you qualify under this provision; 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, corrections and rehabilitation) or one year of law school from an accredited college or university; OR Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed in a field of study related to law enforcement from an accredited college or university. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. GL-9: You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Performing physical searches of detained individuals, their vehicles, and their immediate surroundings for weapons, contraband, currency, and other evidence Apprehending, physically restraining or working with law enforcement officials to identify or apprehend violators of state, federal, or immigration laws Proficient in the use of firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders (e.g., warrants, subpoenas, etc.) and gathering evidence for criminal cases prosecuted through the court system GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, with the authority granted by the state or government to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes, performing primary duties in an official law enforcement…

Education

See the Qualifications Section for education substitution at the GL-5 and GL-7 grade levels. Successful completion of the following pre-employment processes are required for this position. All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English. Applicants must receive and accept a tentative offer for this position in order to start the pre-employment process. Polygraph Examination: Applicants will be required to undergo a polygraph exam and must have favorable results in order to continue in the process. For more information, see Polygraph Examination. NOTE: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. Certain veterans may be eligible for a polygraph waiver. Entrance Exam: Applicants selected at the GL-5 or GL-7 grade levels must complete and pass the Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam. For more information, videos, and study guides, visit CBP.gov BPA Entrance Exam. Medical Requirements: Applicants must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information, visit CBP's Medical Exam Process Drug Testing Requirements: Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Program. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. For more information, visit our Drug Testing FAQs and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Drug Test Physical Fitness Test: Applicants must successfully pass the Fitness Test. For more information, please see the Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test Interview Process: Applicants will be required to pass a structured interview. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Structured Interview…