Border Patrol Agent; BPA Entry Level

Salary and Benefits

Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, as follows : GL-5 / GL-7 $ 49,739 - $89,518 per year. Border Patrol Agents are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k) offering.

• Recruitment Incentive
  * Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (as defined in 5 CFR 575.102) will be eligible for up to $20,000 in incentives. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location such as Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Freer or Hebbronville, TX;
  Lordsburg, NM; or Ajo, AZ.
• Retention Incentive
  * Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.

IMPORTANT NOTICE :
Duty assignments available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations. U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates' first-choice preferences. Relocation may be required.

Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without reapplying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level.

Duty Locations :
You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations :

• Big Bend Sector Stations - Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley Island
• Del Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina
• San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrietta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
• 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 Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

As a BPA, you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation's economic prosperity. Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

• Detecting and questioning people 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, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.

You qualify for the GL-5 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 in the use of firearms.
• Deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters.
• Analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions where you will be expected to make arrests after the completion of required training and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as criminal code enforcement, determining violations of laws, correctional or rehabilitation work involving criminal offenders, security, military, etc.

The above experience will be applied in connection with the following :
Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.

A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class…