*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. 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 Buffalo Sector Stations - Oswego El Paso Sector Stations - Deming, *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.
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.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.
For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Rigorous Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This position is subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS (5 CFR 842.803 and 5 CFR 831.903, Conditions for Coverage; 5 USC 8425(b) and 5 USC 8335(b), Mandatory Separation; and 5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c), Immediate Retirement). 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, please see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43).
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CBPApplicantContactCenter@cbp.dhs.gov · 855-500-3722
This position is with Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
The posted pay range is $51632 – $124717/yr.
Applications close on 2026-10-31.
This is a May include rotating shifts, assignments, and overtime on a regular and recurring basis. position.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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