Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level

Border Patrol Agent

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Multiple Duty Locations Northern and Southern U.S. Borders

Job Description

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking Border Patrol Agents to help secure the nation's borders, prevent the illegal entry of people and contraband, and enforce federal immigration and other applicable laws. Border Patrol Agents work in challenging environments along the Northern and Southern borders of the United States and may perform duties in remote and rural areas.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in federal law enforcement, border security, public safety, and serving their country .

Key Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned border areas to detect and prevent illegal entry into the United States.
• Detect, identify, and apprehend individuals suspected of violating immigration and other federal laws.
• Conduct surveillance, inspections, questioning, and examinations of individuals, vehicles, and property.
• Gather and evaluate information through observation, interviews, documents, and records.
• Respond to and investigate potential border-security and immigration violations.
• Detect and interdict illegal drugs, contraband, and other prohibited items.
• Operate vehicles, communications equipment, surveillance systems, and other law-enforcement technology.
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and document enforcement activities.
• Work with other federal, state, local, tribal, and international law-enforcement agencies.
• Make sound decisions and maintain composure in stressful and potentially hazardous situations.
• Perform duties in remote, rural, mountainous, desert, and other challenging environments.
• Support CBP's mission to protect the nation's borders and national security.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet applicable federal hiring and qualification requirements, including:

• Must be a U.S. citizen .
• Must have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years , including applicable U.S. protectorates under international law.
• Generally must be under age 40 at the time of appointment , unless an applicable exception applies.
• Certain age exceptions may apply to qualified individuals with prior federal civilian law-enforcement service or eligible veterans' preference .
• Must meet applicable education and/or general work-experience requirements.

Education & Experience

Candidates may qualify through one of the applicable pathways, including:

• One year of general work experience demonstrating the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, remain composed in stressful situations, learn regulations and procedures through training or on-the-job instruction, and gather concise information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records; OR
• A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR
• An applicable combination of college coursework and general work experience .

Final eligibility and qualification determinations are made by CBP based on the applicable official vacancy announcement.

Training

Selected candidates must successfully complete approximately six months of paid, formal intensive training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico .

Training includes areas such as:

• Immigration and nationality laws
• Border Patrol-specific operations
• Federal law-enforcement procedures
• Firearms
• Defensive tactics
• Physical training
• Driving and vehicle operations
• Spanish language training
• Officer safety
• Surveillance and apprehension techniques
• Other Border Patrol operational requirements

Duty Locations

Border Patrol Agents may be assigned to locations along the Southern or Northern U.S. borders .

Duty locations may include remote, rural, desert, mountainous, or otherwise challenging environments.

Candidates must be willing to relocate to an available Border Patrol duty location based on operational needs.

Compensation & Incentives

Entry-level starting pay is approximately $51,000 annually, with the possibility of additional incentives; after successfully completing the approximately six-month Border Patrol Academy training program, employees may receive an additional $10,000 pay incentive, with the potential for another $10,000 depending on acceptance of a prioritized location, subject to applicable requirements and CBP policies.

Ideal Candidate

CBP is looking for individuals who demonstrate:

• Strong judgment and decision-making skills
• Leadership and initiative
• Ability to take charge and assume responsibility
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Strong observation and analytical skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Integrity and professionalism
• Physical fitness and readiness for demanding field operations
• Ability to learn and apply laws, regulations, and procedures
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to work outdoors and in challenging environments
• Commitment to public service, border security, and national safety
• Willingness to relocate to assigned duty locations

Veterans

CBP encourages individuals who are Veterans' Preference eligible to apply. Eligible veterans may receive applicable hiring consideration and should be prepared to provide documentation of their preference eligibility during the hiring process.

Important Requirements

Candidates should be prepared to:

• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements.
• Meet applicable U.S. residency requirements.
• Meet applicable age requirements or qualify for an exception.
• Successfully complete required background investigations and suitability requirements.
• Successfully complete required medical, physical, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Successfully complete approximately six months of paid training at the Border Patrol Academy.
• Work in potentially remote, rural, mountainous, desert, and other challenging environments.
• Be willing to relocate to a Northern or Southern Border duty location.
• Successfully complete all required Border Patrol training and qualification requirements.