Job Details

Border Patrol Agent

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. Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over the next four years.

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 or GL-7 grade levels with promotion potential to GL-9, GS-11 and 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 2025 OPM Salary Tables.

Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations:

• Big Ben Sector Stations: Presidio, Van Horn, Sanderson, Alpine, Sierra Blanca, Marfa
• Buffalo Sector Stations: Wellesley Island
• Del Rio Sector Stations: Del Rio, Brackettville, Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde
• El Paso Sector Stations: Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, Ysleta
• El Centro Sector Stations: El Centro, Indio, Calexico
• Grand Forks Sector Stations: Pembina
• Havre Sector Stations: Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass
• Houlton Sector Stations: Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren
• Laredo Sector Stations: Laredo South, Cotulla, Hebbronville, Laredo West, Freer, Laredo North, Zapata
• Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations: Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen
• San Diego Sector Stations: Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente
• Spokane Sector Stations: Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville
• Swanton Sector Stations: Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford
• Tucson Sector Stations: Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, Willcox
• Yuma Sector Stations: Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

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 duty location in another geographic location within the United States.

*Additional $10K Recruitment Incentive: Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents who select a prioritized location 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** **Conditions of employment** All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English. Polygraph Examination: You will be required to undergo a polygraph exam and must have favorable results in order to continue in the process. Formal Training: You will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately 6 months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, Border Patrol-specific operations and other courses. Successful completion of the academy is required for this position. Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement.