Border Patrol Agent (20K to 30K BPA Recruitment Incentive)

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations.

Summary

Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. CBP employees protect our Nation's borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade. Apply to this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security's and our partners' ability to perform their homeland security functions by doing the following: Patrol international land borders and coastal waters Detect and prevent the illegal entry and smuggling of noncitizens into the United States Detect and prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering into the United States Prevent the illegal trafficking of people, narcotics and contraband into the United States The video: Border Patrol - Protecting the Homeland emphasizes the importance of Border Patrol's frontline role in helping CBP accomplish its mission. CBP encourages women, minorities, and veterans to apply for an exciting career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Be sure to keep up to date on all the latest CBP has to offer by liking and following us on Twitter (@CBPJobs) and LinkedIn.

Duties

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 diverse 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. Click on this video for more information on what it's like to be a Border Patrol Agent - A Day in the Life of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent In this video, actual agents in the field provide insight into the skills needed to be successful in the role, the tools they use, and what drives U.S. Border Patrol Agents. For more information on becoming a Border Patrol Agent, contact our recruiters here. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level. Promotions are at the discretion of the agency. Pay rates are based on the 2024 OPM Salary Tables and do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases. For more information on career progression, click here. Language Proficiency: Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English. Agents will be provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language at the academy. Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here; as established by the Border Patrol's Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #IOP-5320-02A-UGSBPA. Updated guidance: Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head or face are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible. Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC). For more information, please visit https://bpunion.org/.

How To Apply

If you are a current BPA applicant in pre-employment and you applied prior to July 2023, you will need to reapply to this announcement to be considered for nationwide vacancies. Before you apply, it is critical that you acknowledge each of CBP's Conditions of Employment. We expect our employees to uphold these conditions throughout their tenure with CBP. This video will detail each of our main categories: appearance and health; examinations, investigations, and tests; fitness and the academy. The goal of this video is to provide you with upfront knowledge of CBP's expectations - Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Conditions of Employment To begin your online application, sign into USA Jobs or create a USA Jobs account if you do not already have one. Click Apply and follow the online prompts to fill out the questionnaire and submit your application. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the Required Document section for additional information. All application materials must be in English. If you are planning to apply using your phone or tablet, see Browser Compatibility. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The email address posted below is for inquiries only. Applicants may not update any part of their application after initial submission. You must submit your resume, application questionnaire, and any supporting documents at the time of application. Please see the Next Steps section for more information. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP or ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. In addition, to be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum requirements of the position as shown in the evaluation section of this announcement. Duty Locations: Offers are made based on operational needs and requirements and are determined by the U.S. Border Patrol. The locations listed 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 duty location in another geographical location within the United States. Big Bend Sector Texas - Presidio Staton, Van Horn Station, Sanderson Station, Alpine Station, Sierra Blanca Station, Marfa Station Del Rio Sector Texas - Del Rio Station, Bracketville Station, Comstock Station, Eagle Pass North Station, Eagle Pass South Station, Carrizo Springs Station, Uvalde Station El Paso Sector Texas - Alamogordo Station, Clint Station, Deming Station, El Paso Station, Fort Hancock Station, Las Cruces Station, Lordsburg Station, Santa Teresa Station, Ysleta Station El Centro Sector California - El Centro Station, Indio Station, Calexico Station Laredo Sector Texas - Laredo South Station, Cotulla Station, Hebbronville Station, Laredo West Station, Freer Station, Laredo North Station, Zapata Station Rio Grande Valley Sector Texas - Rio Grande City Station, Fort Brown Station, McAllen Station, Brownsville Station, Falfurrias Station, Weslaco Station, Kingsville Station, Harlingen Station San Diego Sector California - Boulevard Station, Brownfield Station, Campo Station, Chula Vista Station, Imperial Beach Station, Murrieta Station, San Clemente Station Tucson Sector Arizona - Ajo Station, Tucson Station, Nogales Station, Douglas Station, Brian A Terry Station, Sonoita Station, Casa Grande Station, Three Points Substation, Willcox Station Yuma Sector Arizona - Blythe Station, Yuma Station, Wellton Station If you are currently in the pre-employment process for a Border Patrol Agent position at the grades 5, 7 or 9 and you reapply under this announcement and are subsequently referred for a position, all active pre-employment process statuses will be applied to this application (e.g., medical status, background investigation, etc.,).