Border Patrol Agent - Entry Level

Position Overview

Border Patrol Agent (BPA), GL‑5/GL‑7 grade levels – entry‑level, full‑time federal law enforcement position with the U.S. Border Patrol.

• Annual base salary: GL‑5 $ 51,632 – GL‑7 $ 92,912
• Recruitment incentive: up to $20,000 (first $10,000 upon Academy completion, second $10,000 for accepting a prioritized location)
• Retention incentive: up to $40,000 over the first four years distributed in increments
• Additional incentives: up to 25% of base pay (BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014) for fully trained BPAs in certain locales
• Benefits include health, dental, other insurance plans, generous annual and sick leave, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (a retirement plan similar to a ROTH 401(k)).

Duty assignments may include the Southwest Border and a variety of critical stations. Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX;
Presidio, TX;
Sanderson, TX;
Comstock, TX;
Lordsburg, NM;
Freer, TX;
Hebbronville, TX;
Ajo, AZ, among several others.

• Detect and question persons suspected of violating immigration and customs laws; inspect documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
• Prevent and apprehend undocumented non‑citizens and smugglers by maintaining surveillance from covert positions, including using infrared scopes during night operations.
• Interpret and follow tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry or contraband.
• Perform farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
• Patrol the international boundary and coastal waterways using government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off‑road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles to accomplish the USBP mission.

Requirements for GL‑5:

• One (1) year of general work experience demonstrating leadership, sound decision‑making, and composure in stressful situations, or
• A bachelor's degree (or successful completion of a full four‑year degree) from an accredited institution, or
• A combination of general work experience and a bachelor's degree.

Requirements for GL‑7:

• One year of specialized work experience that includes: use of firearms, courteous public interaction, rapid analysis and decision‑making, and ability to make arrests after required training.
• A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (GPA ≥3.0, honors society membership, or equivalent) or one full year of graduate‑level education related to law enforcement.
• A combination of specialized experience and a bachelor’s degree.

• U.S. Citizen.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age limitation: must not exceed 40 years old at the time of selection unless exempt due to prior federal civilian law enforcement or veteran status.
• Veterans’ Preference: eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA).
• Spanish proficiency (speaking, reading, and writing) is required; proficiency will be developed at the Academy.

Upon hire, new BPAs are detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement, USBP‑specific operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and related courses.