Border Patrol Agent

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is hiring full-time Border Patrol Agents at the GL-5 through GS-11 levels. Agents protect U.S. borders by detecting and apprehending individuals involved in immigration or customs violations, conducting patrols and surveillance, investigating suspected illegal activity, and enforcing federal law. This rigorous federal law-enforcement role requires successful completion of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and all pre-employment screening requirements. How You'll Contribute Detect, question, and inspect persons, documents, vehicles, and possessions to identify potential immigration or customs violations. Prevent and apprehend undocumented noncitizens and smugglers at or near U.S. borders. Conduct surveillance operations, including covert and nighttime surveillance using infrared scopes and other detection equipment. Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence related to illegal entry, smuggling, or contraband. Perform traffic, transportation, building, farm, and city patrol checks. Patrol international boundaries and coastal waterways using government vehicles, ATVs, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, vessels, watercraft, snowmobiles, and horses as assigned. Conduct searches, restrain and apprehend violators, gather evidence, prepare reports, and support criminal cases. Use sound judgment in enforcing laws, making arrests, and carrying and using firearms in accordance with policy. For higher-grade roles, use intelligence and surveillance technology to investigate criminal activity, contraband, illegal operations, and threats to national security. Maintain compliance with CBP ethics, uniform, grooming, firearm, and operational standards. What Makes You a Great Fit Must be a U.S. citizen. Must possess a valid driver's license without legal restrictions and be able to operate government-owned vehicles. Must meet the age requirement for federal law-enforcement retirement coverage: generally referred for selection before age 40, unless eligible for an exemption based on veterans' preference or qualifying prior federal civilian law-enforcement service. Must successfully complete a CBP polygraph examination or qualify for an accepted prior-polygraph result or applicable waiver. Must successfully complete a Tier 5 background investigation or equivalent and meet CBP residency requirements, generally having resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least 3 of the last 5 years unless an exception applies. Must pass medical screening, drug testing, a physical fitness test, and a structured interview. Must be eligible to possess and carry a firearm under the Gun Control Act and Lautenberg Amendment, including no disqualifying felony, domestic-violence misdemeanor, restraining order, controlled-substance, warrant, or other firearm-prohibiting condition. Must complete approximately six months of intensive training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. Must be able to attain and maintain English and Spanish language proficiency; Spanish-language training is provided at the academy. Must wear an approved uniform and comply with Border Patrol grooming and tattoo standards. GL-5 applicants must qualify through at least one year of relevant general experience, a completed bachelor's degree or four-year course of study, or a qualifying combination of education and experience. GL-7 applicants must have qualifying specialized law-enforcement or responsible-work experience; alternatively, applicants may qualify through superior academic achievement, qualifying law-enforcement-related graduate education, one year of law school, or an approved combination of education and experience. GL-9 applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience involving duties such as searches, apprehension, firearms use, investigative reports, court orders, or evidence gathering. GS-11 applicants must have at least one year of qualifying official state, federal, or military law-enforcement experience with authority to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes. Applicants must submit an English resume of no more than two pages that includes detailed work history, duties, dates, and hours worked per week; supporting education, veteran, federal employment, or age-waiver documentation may be required. Perks & Benefits Federal law-enforcement career with promotion potential from GL-5 or GL-7 through GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12, or from GL-9 or GS-11 to GS-12, based on agency discretion. Annual salary range of $51,632 to $124,717 , with final pay determined by grade, qualifications, and applicable 2026 OPM pay tables. Potential overtime earnings, location incentives, annual cost-of-living increases, and recruitment incentives in addition to base pay. Recruitment incentive of up to $20,000 for newly appointed agents who select prioritized duty locations, including an additional $10,000 incentive for designated locations. Special federal law-enforcement officer retirement coverage, subject to applicable CSRS and FERS provisions. Paid, job-required training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, including Spanish-language instruction. Opportunities to work in mission-critical border locations across the United States and support federal law-enforcement operations. Position is covered by the National Border Patrol Council bargaining unit.