BackgroundU.
S Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S.
while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.
CBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity.Duties and ResponsibilitiesAs a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) you will be part of our 60,000-employee workforce that strives to protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation’s economic prosperity.Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.Select this site’s Apply link to join CBP’s Talent Network, you will be provided the official GL-7 BPA announcement that appears on USAJobs, the Federal Government’s official employment site, where you apply on-line.See the How to Apply section below for more information.Typical assignments include:Detecting, preventing, and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the land borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positionsResponding to electronic sensor alarmsInterpreting and following tracks, marks and other physical evidenceUsing infrared scopes during night operationsResponding to aircraft sighting and other anti-smuggling activitiesPerforming farm and ranch checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checksPatrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways and using a variety of Government assets for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.
These assets may include, but are not limited to: vehicles, horses, vessels, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcyclesDuty Locations: Job offers are made based on operational needs and requirements and are determined by the U.S.
Border Patrol.
Although the locations listed will most likely be available, the duty location offered in your final offer letter may include any location within the Southwest Border region as follows:Big Bend Sector Texas
– Presidio Station, Van Horn Station, Sanderson Station, Alpine Station, Sierra Blanca Station, Marfa StationDel Rio Sector Texas
– Abilene Station, Del Rio Station, Brackettville Station, Comstock Station, Eagle Pass North Station, Eagle Pass South Station, Carrizo Springs Station, Rocksprings Station, San Angelo Station, Uvalde StationEl Paso Sector Texas
– Alamogordo Station, Clint Station, Deming Station, El Paso Station, Fort Hancock Station, Las Cruces Station, Lordsburg Station, Santa Teresa Station, Truth or Consequences Station, Ysleta StationEl Centro Sector California
– El Centro Station, Indio Station, Calexico StationLaredo Sector Texas
– Laredo South Station, Cotulla Station, Hebbronville Station, Laredo West Station, Freer Station, Laredo North Station, Zapata StationRio Grande Valley Sector Texas
– Rio Grande City Station, Fort Brown Station, McAllen Station, Brownsville Station, Falfurrias Station, Weslaco Station, Kingsville Station, Harlingen StationYuma Sector Arizona
– Blythe Station, Yuma Station, Wellton StationSalaryYou will begin your career as a GL-7 grade level BPA and make $49,508
– $78,269 depending upon location and work schedule, including overtime.
A fully trained Border Patrol Agent may be eligible up to an additional 25% of base pay in accordance with the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014.Travel RequiredOccasional travel
– Travel may be required based on operation needs.Conditions of EmploymentFirearm Proficiency: You will be required to carry a firearm.
Firearm proficiency is required for all Border Patrol Agents and is part of the training provided.Probationary Period: You must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment.Formal Training: After you are hired, you will be detailed to the U.S.
Border patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately 6 months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement and Border Patrol-specific operations, drivers training, physical techniques, firearms, and other courses.
You will also be provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language and will be tested on your language abilities.Residency Requirement: CBP has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants not currently employed by CBP.Driver’s License: You must possess a valid driver’s license.Qualifications for the BPA GL-7 Grade LevelYou qualify for the GL-7 grade level if you possess one of the following:Experience: One year of specialized work experience that shows you have the skills necessary to make sound judgments and decisions; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as training others, managing finances, code enforcement, doing compliance work, corrections, security, military, emergency responders, etc.; OR:Education Substitution for the GL-7 grade level: A bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership.
Or will receive a bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement.
Or one full year of graduate level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement.
OR:Combination of Experience and Education: This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.National Service 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.
Experience as a CBP Explorer may be qualifying if your resume provides sufficient information to credit your experience.To receive full credit for any and all experience, please be sure to describe your duties, roles, and responsibilities in detail.Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions.
Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03.
The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C.
8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C.
8412(d).
The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans’ Preference eligible.Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations.
Re-promotion is not guaranteed.
Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency.Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
If you 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.If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 grade level.
Please refer to the BPA GL-9 announcement.Additional informationPolygraph Examination: This is a polygraph-required position.
If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you will be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process.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.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 in this position.Pre-Screening Interview: As part of the suitability process, you may be required to undergo a pre-screening interview.Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence: The Border Patrol Agent position is a weapons-carrying position.
Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition.
Therefore, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you are not qualified for this position.Medical/Physical Requirements: You must complete the medical screening process and be found to meet the medical standards for the position.
If you do not meet the medical standards for the position, you may request a waiver of the medical standard by demonstrating with non-medical infor