Border Patrol Agent

*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.

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.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. 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 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, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition and will not be considered for this position. Residency Requirement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three (3) of the last five (5) years, before completing an application for CBP employment. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, consultant or an intern for the U.S. Government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.

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 Background Investigation: This position is a sensitive National Security position and, upon selection, applicants will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Background Investigation. After you successfully complete all the pre-employment steps, you will be at the final offer step. For more information on the final offer, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Final Offer.