Border Patrol Agent

Shift Ladder; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Shift Ladder is seeking personnel to patrol U.S. borders, often alone at night, in remote terrain and ports of entry. You will use cameras, sensors, and drones to monitor activity and interview individuals in line with federal policy.

This role requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, CBP entrance exam, and 19 weeks of training at FLETC. Expect physically demanding, high-stress work with humanitarian considerations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience + CBP entrance exam and 19-week training at FLETC.
• Experience with surveillance and border enforcement procedures.
• Ability to operate under extreme conditions and remain compliant with policy.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned sectors on foot, ATV, horseback, or vehicle in terrain that can be dangerous.
• Monitor surveillance tech including cameras, sensors, and drones across large areas.
• Interview individuals encountered between ports of entry in accordance with law.
• Track physical evidence such as footprints and vegetation disturbances.
• Operate in extreme heat, cold, and isolation with humanitarian considerations.
• Adapt to shifting policies and public scrutiny in high-stakes environments.

Skills

Law enforcement tactics

Surveillance tech operation

Immigration enforcement knowledge

Sign cutting and tracking

Firearms proficiency

Patrol operations (ATV/horse/vehicle)

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience + CBP entrance exam + training

Tools

Cameras & sensors operation

Drones operation

Patrol equipment handling

Job description

You patrol U.S. borders to detect and prevent illegal entry, smuggling, and trafficking. You'll work in remote desert terrain, dense brush, and ports of entry — often alone, at night, in extreme conditions. The job is physically demanding, politically charged, and emotionally complex. You'll see things that stay with you, make decisions under pressure, and operate in an environment where every action is scrutinized.

Salary Range

Low

$45k

Median

$68k

High

$100k

10-Year Growth

average

US Workers

21K

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience + pass CBP entrance exam + 19-week training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

Tools & Technical Skills

• Law enforcement tactics and defensive techniques
• Surveillance technology operation (cameras, sensors, drones)
• Immigration and customs law enforcement
• Sign cutting and tracking techniques
• Firearms proficiency and use-of-force protocols
• ATV, horse, and vehicle patrol operations

People & Mindset Skills

• Physical fitness and endurance
• Cultural competency and Spanish language skills
• Judgment and ethical decision-making
• Composure in isolated, high-risk environments

What you'll actually do

• 01 Patrol assigned sectors on foot, ATV, horseback, or vehicle through terrain that actively tries to hurt you
• 02 Monitor surveillance technology including cameras, sensors, and drones across miles of border
• 03 Process and interview individuals encountered between ports of entry while following federal law and agency policy
• 04 Track sign — footprints, disturbed vegetation, and other physical evidence — like a detective working outdoors
• 05 Operate in extreme heat, cold, and isolation that makes a normal office job sound like a vacation
• 06 Navigate constantly shifting policies, public scrutiny, and the reality that every decision has humanitarian implications