Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC Operator)

Customs and Border Protection; Swanton (VT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Swanton Sector in Swanton, VT, seeks a Law Enforcement Officer at GS-12 level. The role requires successful completion of the BORTAC Selection and Training Course, firearms qualifications, and proficiency in Spanish.

Rigorous retirement coverage applies for law enforcement officers. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements, undergo a thorough background investigation, and satisfy Time in Grade by the specified deadline.

Qualifications

• Must be proficient in the Spanish language (read and speak).
• Must meet all qualification requirements and education if applicable, subject to verification.

Skills

Spanish language

Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, Northeast Region, Swanton Special Operations Detachment, located in Swanton, VT. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Interpreting and enforcing immigration or comparable laws, rules, and regulations. Performing intelligence, prosecution, investigation, anti-smuggling. Performing other work of comparable difficulty related to Border Patrol operations.

Rigorous Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a rigorous position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b), 5 USC 8412(d), 5 USC 8336(c). For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43). If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at [phone].

Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish).

BORTAC Basic Selection and Training Course: You must have successfully completed the BORTAC Selection and Training Course to be considered for this position.

Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996.

An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration:

• 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year;
• 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice;
• 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance;
• 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution;
• 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States;
• 6) renounced U. S. citizenship;
• 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.

Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 09/09/2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the scre