Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Watch Commander)
Department of Homeland Security
Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Tucson Sector, Tucson Station, located in Tucson, AZ.
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 $131,707.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $171,225.00 (GS-14, Step 10).
- The Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Watch Commander) serves as a second-line supervisory law enforcement officer under 5 U.S.C. 8331 (6c) 8412 (d).
- Duties and responsibilities include: Overseeing all aspects of station operations, managing, directing, and coordinating assignments consistent with the Border Patrol mission and objectives.
- Detecting and preventing the entry of undocumented individuals, narcotics, illicit contraband, terrorists, and weapons of terrorism from entering the United States.
- Analyzing local conditions of the station's Area of Responsibility (AOR) or specialized assignment and deploying resources to mitigate any identified threat.
- Overseeing station operations during assigned shift to include various activities of enforcement, detention, and processing operations; seized property, fleet maintenance, and supplies; facilities and office management, and community relations and partnerships with other agencies.
- Reviewing administrative and criminal cases for accuracy in order to ensure that all casework complies with legal guidelines.
- Utilizing and managing a variety of information systems and databases to conduct information searches, queries, update files, and disseminate information.
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards
Required Documents
Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:
- Prepare the documents below before applying.
- Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position: Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed.
- Your resume must be in English and must include your job titles and a detailed description of your duties and the dates you performed them (MM/DD/YY), as well as your hours per week for each position listed.
- Your resume should also contain your full name, phone number, email address, and salary.
- To ensure all your experience is considered, the U.S.
- Border Patrol strongly suggests resumes should describe your experiences and accomplishments, assignment dates, duty locations, your current supervisor's contact information and specify whether you have performed duties in investigations, intelligence, or have worked in sector-level or national programs (e.g., horse patrol, BORSTAR, BORTAC, peer support, chaplaincy, canine, etc.), or been assigned to the U.S.
- Border Patrol Academy, and/or Sector or USBP Headquarters.
- Include leadership or specialized training and college level courses completed.
- Resumes should also specify each supervisory position held (clearly listing SBPA, FOS, SOS, WC, DPAIC, PAIC, ACPA, XO, DC, DCPA or CPA).
- Additionally, include all temporary promotions listing the grade, position, location, and period of time held; temporary details or special assignments held 30 days or more (assignment, location, and period of time); and any prior military or other specialized experience outside of USBP that is relevant to law enforcement work.
About this role
The Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Watch Commander) position with the Department of Homeland Security is based in Tucson, Arizona. Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. The role pays $131,707 to $171,225 per year.
Day to day, the work involves applying for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department’s ability to protect the homeland. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for United States citizenship and the ability to obtain and hold a security clearance. It is graded at GS-14, which sets both the pay band and the experience reviewers expect you to document. Be prepared for a pre-employment drug screening as part of the hiring process. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Watch Commander) position with the Department of Homeland Security in Tucson, Arizona, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
At $131,707 to $171,225 per year, this is a mid-to-senior role where a precisely tailored application matters most. Because it is a supervisory or senior position, expect experienced candidates and a strong emphasis on a documented leadership and performance record. The security clearance requirement means a longer hiring timeline, so patience and an early application help. Based in Tucson, Arizona, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 6, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
