Entry-Level Border Patrol Agent – Up

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Honolulu invites applications for an Entry-Level Border Patrol Agent. This full-time role provides base pay with recruitment/retention incentives and strong federal benefits.

AGENTS receive training at the Border Patrol Academy and may be assigned to prioritized locations across the United States, with opportunities for advancement within CBP.

Qualifications

• One year of general work experience or education leading to a bachelor's degree.
• Knowledge of immigration and border enforcement principles is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration laws and inspecting documents
• Interacting with individuals near borders and conducting observations to ensure compliance
• Performing checks across farm, building, traffic, city, and transportation contexts
• Patrolling borders and waterways using government assets to fulfill CBP missions
• Maintaining documentation and reporting as part of law enforcement duties

Job description

Entry-Level Border Patrol Agent – Up to $50K in Incentives

2026-10-02 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Honolulu,HI

Description:

Border Patrol Agent (BPA) With more than 69,000 employees, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and the largest federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. CBP protects the United States by preventing terrorists and their weapons from entering the country while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. As a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) within CBP, you will be a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. CBP is urgently hiring to fill full-time, entry and mid-level, career positions where your education OR prior general or experience in public safety, security, military police or law enforcement may qualify. Along with excellent base pay, exceptional federal employment benefits, and job stability, CBP is offering additional recruitment and retention incentives (see details below) .

Duties

• 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.

Salary and Benefits

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 grade level. Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, from $51,632 - $124,717 per year. BPAs 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* *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 Duty Location section below 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.

Duty Locations

Big Bend Sector Stations - Alpine, Marfa, Presidio, *Sanderson, *Sierra Blanca Blaine Sector Stations - Blaine, Bellingham, Port Angeles, Sumas Buffalo Sector Stations – Oswego Del Rio Sector Stations - *Comstock El Paso Sector Stations - Deming, *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, *Hebbronville, *Freer 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, *Ajo 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.

Qualifications

GL-5 Grade Level

One (1) year of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations; to learn regulations, methods, and techniques through classroom training and/or on-the-job instruction; and the ability to gather concise information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records; OR Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general work experience AND successfully completed college education. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

GL-7 Grade Level

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., OR Education Substitution for the GL-7 grade level: A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership. Or will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. Or one full year of graduate-level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university; OR A Combination of Experience and Education: This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application. Note: If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 and or GS-11 grade level.

GL-9 Grade Level

You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Performing physical searches of detained individuals, their vehicles, and their immediate surroundings for weapons, contraband, currency, and other evidence Apprehending, physically restraining or working with law enforcement officials to identify or apprehend violators of state, federal, or immigration laws Proficient in the use of firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders (e.g., warrants, subpoenas, etc.) and gathering evidence for criminal cases prosecuted through the court system.

GS-11 Grade Level

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, with the authority granted by the state or government to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes, performing primary duties in an official law enforcement capacity such as: Utilizing intelligence information to track illegal operations, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or contraband while serving as a state, Federal, or military law enforcement official Leading investigations of fraud, contraband, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or illegal operations to determine sources and patterns while serving as a state, Federal, or military law enforcement official Apprehending violators of state, federal or immigration laws by utilizing various forms of complex technology that include surveillance, detection, situation awareness systems, and/or communications equipment The above experience will be applied in connection with the Border Patrol Individual Occupational Requirement: 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.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs)

Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements for the GL-9 or GS-11 grade levels are required to possess certain KSAOs to successfully perform the functions of this position. The KSAOs are: Knowledge of Immigration and Nationality Law (e.g., non-immigrant classifications, immigrant classifications, inadmissible noncitizens, removable noncitizens, derivative citizenship, 8 USC) Knowledge of the Use of Force Policy (e.g., firearms, less-lethal devices and techniques, qualification requirements) Knowledge of Criminal Law and Procedure (e.g., statutory authority) Skill in Using Physical Techniques (e.g., self-defense, baton, OC spray, PLS) Skill in Using Firearms (e.g., handgun, shotgun, M-4) Skills in Basic Operation of a Motor Vehicle (e.g., everyday use of vehicles, parallel parking) Other Requirements

Other Requirements

Citizenship

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency

You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

Age Restriction

In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously 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). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.

Veterans' Preference

You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.

Formal Training

After you are hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement and Border Patrol-specific operations, and other courses. Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English. Border Patrol Agents will be provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language at the Academy.