Border Patrol Agent; BPA

About the Position

Border Patrol Agent (BPA) – Entry Level in the Federal Security and Public Safety Sector. The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) seeks candidates for full‑time, entry‑level career positions. The role offers excellent base pay, exceptional benefits, and up to $60,000 in additional incentives, plus opportunities for promotion to GL‑5, GL‑7, GL‑9, GS‑11 and GS‑12.

• Annual base salary varies by grade: GL‑5/GL‑7 $ 51,632–$92,219 per year.
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 at Academy completion; second $10,000 for prioritized location).
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 distributed over first four years.
• Locality pay for some duty locations.
• Additional up to 25% of base pay under the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014.

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions.
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions, including 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 vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off‑road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles to accomplish the USBP Mission.

Eligibility for GL‑5:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating decision‑making, stress composure, learning of regulations, and information gathering.
• Or a bachelor’s degree or completion of a full four‑year college curriculum.
• Or a combination of experience and education as assessed from resume and transcripts.

Eligibility for GL‑7:

• One year of specialized work experience showing the ability to make sound judgments with firearms, courteous and tactful interaction with people, rapid analysis and decision‑making, and the ability to make arrests after required training.
• Or a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement (GPA 3.0+ or honors society membership), or one full year of graduate‑level education related to law enforcement.
• Or a combination of experience and education as assessed from resume and transcripts.

Other Requirements: U.S. citizenship, primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years, age restriction (must be referred before the 40th birthday unless exempted by veteran status or current federal civilian law enforcement service). Veterans’ preference and VRA eligibility apply.

Duty assignments may include the Southwest Border and prioritized locations. Relocation may be required. Duty locations are listed below:

• Big Bend Sector Stations – Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector Stations – Wellesley, Island, Del Rio
• Del Rio Sector Stations – Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde, El Paso
• El Paso Sector Stations – Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta El Centro
• El Centro Sector Stations – El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Grand Forks Sector Stations – Pembina, Havre
• Sector Stations – Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector Stations – Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector Stations – Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Laredo West, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations – Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector Stations – Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector Stations – Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville, Swanton
• Swanton Sector Stations – Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
• Tucson Sector Stations – Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points, Substation, Willcox, Yuma, Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network registration page. For Position of Interest, select “Border Patrol Agent”, complete the pre‑screening questions, then follow the link(s) to the BPA Job Opening Announcements on USAJOBS to complete your application. Submit resume, transcripts, and other required documents. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the BPA Entrance Exam.