Border Patrol Agent

Customs and Border Protection (DOHS); Washington; On-site; USD 52,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive up to $20,000

Retention incentive up to $30,000

Additional $10K for prioritized duty/2

Job summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking Border Patrol Agents to join a nationwide team. The role offers a full-time schedule, possible travel, and opportunities across multiple pay grades (GL-5 to GS-11, with potential promotion to GS-12).

Recruitment incentives up to $20,000 and retention incentives up to $30,000 are available. Duties include questioning and inspecting individuals to enforce immigration and customs laws, preventing unlawful entry, and patrolling borders with

Responsibilities

• Detecting and questioning persons suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations
• Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers near borders using surveillance and night-vision equipment
• Interpreting tracks and evidence of illegal entry and performing checks across diverse patrol environments
• Patrolling international boundaries and coastal waterways using a variety of Government assets to fulfill the USBP mission

Job description

Summary

*Recruitment Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. See the duties section for a list of prioritized locations.

*Retention Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $30,000 in additional incentives distributed over the next three years.
Learn more about this agency

Summary

*Recruitment Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. See the duties section for a list of prioritized locations.

*Retention Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $30,000 in additional incentives distributed over the next three years.
Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
US Border Patrol Nationwide
No matching locations found.
Work site options

Telework eligible: No

Remote job: No

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Pay scale & grade: GL 5 – 11

Work schedule: Full-time – May include rotating shifts, assignments, and overtime on a regular and recurring basis.

Travel Required: Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type: Permanent, Occupations and job series

Supervisory status: No

Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union: Yes

Drug test: Yes

Security clearance: Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk: Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Position sensitivity and risk: Jobs require background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Position sensitivity and risk: Background check type

Position sensitivity and risk: National security

Announcement number: BPA DH 27-2

Control number: 890450800

: $51,632 – $124,717 per year A fully trained Border Patrol Agent may be eligible for an additional 25% of base pay in accordance with the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014.

Promotion potential

:

12

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

• 1896 Border Patrol Enforcement Series

This job is open to

Help

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Clarification from the agency

Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to this position before their 40th birthday in accordance with DHS Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you have served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) or if you are eligible for veterans’ preference.

Videos

Duties

Help

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 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.

Salary: Selections from this announcement will be at the GL-5, GL-7, GL-9 or GS-11 grade levels with promotion potential to the GS-12. Promotions are not guaranteed and at the discretion of the agency. Your pay will be determined after you successfully complete all pre-employment processes. Pay rates are based on the 2026 OPM Salary Tables – these tables do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases. The ending salary posted includes overtime, if worked.

Duty Locations : Before you submit your application you will be asked to select your preferred location. The location you select does not affect your application and it does not affect the locations that are offered to you at the time of your final offer.

• Big Bend Sector Stations– Alpine, Marfa
• Blaine Sector Stations – Blaine, Bellingham, Port Angeles, Sumas
• El Paso Sector Stations– *Lordsburg
• Grand Forks Sector Stations – Bottineau, International Falls, Pembina, Portal, Warroad
• Havre Sector Stations – Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector Stations – Calais, Houlton, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector Stations– Laredo West
• New Orleans Sector Stations – Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, New Orleans
• San Diego Sector Stations– Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo
• Swanton Sector Stations – Beecher Falls, Massena, Newport, Ogdensburg, Richford, Swanton
• Tucson Sector Stations– Douglas, Brian A Terry, Three Points Substation
• Yuma Sector Stations– Blythe

NOTE: The above preference locations 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 different duty location within the United States.

*Additional $10K Recruitment Incentive: Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents who select a prioritized location at the time of their final offer will receive an additional $10,000 incentive (total of $20,000). Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.

Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC). For more information, please visit.

Firearm Proficiency: This position requires you to carry a firearm. Firearm proficiency is required for all Border Patrol Agents and is part of the training provided.

Requirements