Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Spokane Sector, Bonners Ferry Station in Libby, MT.
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.
Learn more about this agency Duties Help
This announcement has been amended as of 05/22/2026 to extend the closing date to 06/05/2026.
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 $109,383.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $142,199.00 (GS-13, Step 10).
As a
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Resident Agent) , you will serve as a
secondary law enforcement officer (under 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c) and 8412 (d)) and be responsible for leading and overseeing complex, geographically dispersed border enforcement operations and the work of assigned Resident Agents. Typical duties will include:
- Supervising and directing a team of Resident Border Patrol Agents conducting detection, interdiction, and apprehension of undocumented noncitizens, narcotics, illicit contraband, terrorists, and weapons of terrorism.
- Planning, coordinating, and evaluating broad operational programs and studies, identifying operational problems, developing solutions, and recommending or negotiating changes in procedures and resource use.
- Reviewing, approving, and managing administrative and criminal cases, ensuring legal sufficiency, accurate data entry, and compliance with policy through use of multiple law enforcement information systems and periodic audits.
- Overseeing preparation of criminal complaints, tracking of suspects and evidence, coordination of court testimony, and the removal process, including the proper disposition of seized assets.
- Serving as the Federal Emergency Response Official (FERO) for the area of responsibility and providing guidance to agents on community relations to build public support for the Border Patrol mission.
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment - 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
Temporary/Rotational Assignment: To meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a temporary basis not-to-exceed (NTE) 3 years with a possible extension for an additional 2 years. You may be returned, at any time, to the position from which temporarily promoted, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay, and the return is not subject to the procedures found in 5 C.F.R. §§ 351, 432, 752, and 771. If you are currently at the grade level of the position announced, this action will result in a reassignment, and you may be returned at any time to a same or similar position held prior to this temporary assignment. If you currently hold a grade level higher than the grade being announced, this action will result in a change to lower grade, and you may be returned at any time to the position held prior to this temporary assignment or to the same or similar position at the lower grade level. Return to your original location will be prioritized, but is not guaranteed. At management's discretion, you may be permanently placed to this position without further competition.
See the USBP Rotation Process Internal Operating Procedures (IOP) by visiting: Rotation Process IOP-51335-002 (21-38459). The USBP Rotation Program IOP establishes the terms for rotation out of the NTE assignment upon its conclusion.
Qualifications You qualify for the
GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
- Leading and supervising law enforcement staff in day-to-day border enforcement operations, including assigning work and reviewing performance;
- Planning and carrying out enforcement operations or projects that improve how resources, technology, and personnel are used to meet mission needs;
- Reviewing and approving arrest, seizure, and removal case files to ensure they are complete, accurate, and comply with laws and policies;
- Coordinating joint operations or investigations with other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to address cross jurisdictional threats;
- Directing field responses to high risk or emergency situations, making real-time decisions on deploying agents, equipment, and technology.
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
View phone number on click.appcast.io.
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, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
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 regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must: - Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
- Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/05/2026.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
Polygraph Examination: This is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see
Polygraph Examination .
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.
Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information This is a Non-Bargaining Unit status position. Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
Shift Work/Overtime: This position requires regular and recurring shift work. You must be willing and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations. You could be required to work overtime on a daily basis and will be compensated up to an additional 25% of your base pay in accordance with the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014.
Travel: Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis.
Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here, as established by the Border Patrol's Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #IOP-5320-02A-UGSBPA. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head and face are
not permitted . Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible.
Security Clearance: You may be required to obtain a Secret or higher level clearance for this position.
Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18-month probationary period upon appointment to this position. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within 90 days of assignment to this position.
Leadership Training: All newly appointed, first-time CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory CBP Supervisory Leadership (SLT) training. SLT will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include three weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Additionally, all newly appointed U.S. Border Patrol First-Line Supervisors are required to complete the Supervisory Field Training Unit (SFTU). The SFTU will be conducted throughout the entire 18-month probationary period. SFTU completion failure will result in the Agent's return to their previously held position or reassigned within the Agency. Note: SLT and SFTU training may be waived if previously completed or the supervisor is non-probationary.
Resident Agent Information: Agents selected for this position will be expected to reside within 50 miles of the Resident Location unless otherwise approved by the Chief Patrol Agent. Resident Agents will be assigned a government owned vehicle (GOV) to respond from his/her resident post and will be subject to callouts during non-working hours.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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