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 $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over the next four 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. Click on this video for more information on what it's like to be a BPA
• A Day in the Life of a U.S.
• Border Patrol Agent Want to speak to an actual Agent?
• Click here to contact one of our recruiters!
• They are ready to assist you from application to start date.
• Salary: Selections from this announcement will be at the GL-5 or GL-7 grade levels with promotion potential to GL-9, GS-11 and 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.
• Current Federal Employees: Offers will only be made at the GL-5 or GL-7 grade levels.
• Applying to this GL-5/7 announcement may require you to take a change to lower grade which will reduce your salary based on Federal pay regulations.
• Grade level re-promotions are at the discretion of the U.S.
• Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations: Big Bend Sector Stations
• Presidio, Van Horn, *Sanderson, Alpine, *Sierra Blanca, Marfa Del Rio Sector Stations
• Del Rio, Brackettville, *Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde El Paso Sector Stations
• Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, *Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta El Centro Sector Stations
• El Centro, Indio, Calexico Grand Forks Sector Stations
• Bottineau, Duluth, Grand Marais, International Falls, Pembina, Portal, Warroad Havre Sector Stations
• Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, St. Mary, Sweetgrass Houlton Sector Stations
• Calais, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren Laredo Sector Stations
• Laredo South, Cotulla, *Hebbronville, Laredo West, *Freer, Laredo North, Zapata Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations
• Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen San Diego Sector Stations
• Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente Swanton Sector Stations
• Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Massena, Newport, Ogdensburg, Richford, Swanton Tucson Sector Stations
• Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox Yuma Sector Stations
• Blythe, Yuma, Wellton 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 duty location in another geographic location within the
• States. *Additional $10K Recruitment
• Incentive: Newly appointed
• Agents who select a prioritized location 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.

Requirements

• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• Polygraph Examination: You 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.
• 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.
• Formal Training: You will be detailed to the U.S.
• Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately 6 months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, Border Patrol-specific operations and other courses.
• Successful completion of the academy is required for this position.
• For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Preparing for the Border Patrol Academy Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions.
• Candidates must be referred for selection to this position before their 40th birthday in accordance with DHS 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).
• The age restriction does not apply if you are a Veterans' Preference eligible.
• Firearm 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
• 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, or
• Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
• More requirements listed below.

Education

See the Qualifications Section for education substitution. Entrance Exam: As part of the pre-employment process, you 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: Following a tentative job offer, candidates 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: You will be required to 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: You will be required to pass a structured interview. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Structured Interview Rigorous Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a rigorous position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS (5 CFR 842.803 and 5 CFR 831.903, Conditions for Coverage; 5 USC 8425(b) and 5 USC 8335(b), Mandatory Separation; and 5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c), Immediate Retirement). 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, please 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, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.

Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits.” Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Required Documents

• All applicants are required to submit a resume.
• Resume: A resume in English is required.
• It must contain your full legal name, phone number, complete work history, a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), as well as your hours worked per week.
• If you are a current or former Federal employee you must include your grade and step information to receive credit for that work experience.
• Federal agencies only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan.
• Your resume must be uploaded under the "Resume" document type.
• No additional document types will be reviewed as part of your resume.
• Visit the CBP.gov website Border Patrol Agent Resume Aid and the USAJOBS Help Center
• How do I write a resume for a federal job for further guidance and specific information on required resume formatting.
• Are you qualifying based on education?
• Submit a copy of your college transcript (an unofficial transcript is acceptable at this time) from an accredited institution.
• An official transcript will be required prior to entrance on duty.
• Transcripts must be in English.
• Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S.
• Department of Education.
• Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials; see www.naces.org for a listing of some accrediting agencies.
• If submitting documentation of a foreign evaluation, a transcript is also required.
• For more information, see Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
• Are you a current or former federal employee?
• If you are a current/former federal employee, it is recommended you submit your most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" form to support your experience.
• Please do not submit a Performance Award SF-50.
• Are you a veteran?
• If you claim veterans' preference you will be required to submit proof of eligibility as appropriate to your preference type.
• For more information, see
• Veterans Preference. 5-point Preference (TP): Submit DD-214 listing the character of service and either qualifying medal(s) or service period. 10-point Preference (CP or CPS): Submit DD-214 listing the character of service and a VA Disability Award letter dated
• 1991 or later showing the total percentage of the service-connected disability.
• Submitting an SF-15 with your application is encouraged. 10-point Preference (XP): You MUST submit a Standard Form 15, DD-214 listing the character of service, and the required documentation stated on the SF-15.
• Serving: If you are currently serving on active duty, or in the
• Reserves, you can submit a written signed statement from the
• Forces certifying your dates of service, rank, campaign badge(s) and expeditionary medal(s) (if applicable), expected character of service, type of discharge and anticipated date of separation which must be within 120 days from the closing date of this announcement.
• Prior to entering on duty, you will be required to provide a final DD-214.
• Members of the Guard and Reserve can submit the most current copy of their Retirement Points Account System (RPAS) document.
• Can you claim an age waiver based on Veterans' Preference or previous Law Enforcement service?
• If you are over the age of 40, you will need to submit proof you are eligible for an age waiver based on either previous federal law enforcement service or veterans' preference.
• If you are over the maximum age and do not provide the required documentation for an age waiver, you will not receive consideration under this announcement.
• If you are claiming an age waiver based on
• Federal law enforcement service, you MUST submit copies of your SF-50s reflecting the beginning date and end date for all creditable
• Federal civilian (not military) service under
• Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20), and
• Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17) showing
• Code M or O in
• Block 30 of your SF-50s.
• If you are claiming an age waiver based on Veterans' Preference, you must submit the required Veterans' Preference documents.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?
• You must submit the separation notice from your agency, your most recent performance rating and your most recent SF-50 with your current position, grade level, and duty location.