06/08/2026
Border Patrol Agent - Experienced
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Border Patrol Agent (BPA) - Experienced (GL-9 GS-11) - New Hire Sign-On and Retention Incentives
SAME MISSION, NEW DRIVE!
You love protecting your community and doing your part to keep our nation safe. But maybe you’re looking for a change of scenery?
USBP is hiring immediately for full-time, career positions, where your prior law enforcement officer (LEO) experience may qualify you for higher-graded Border Patrol Agent (BPA) opportunities. Continue making a difference with the nation's premier federal agency charged with securing our borders and protecting our country.
Whether you gained this experience as part of a military police unit or as a member of a state or local law enforcement organization, you have an opportunity to work with highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission.
Check out the duties and responsibilities section below, along with the qualifications section to see if you are eligible. Now is the time to make your move, along with excellent base pay, location pay, exceptional benefits, and job stability, USBP is offering up to $60,000 in additional incentives to newly appointed Agents (see details below).
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE INCENTIVES – SEE SALARY SECTION BELOW
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Duty assignments available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations.
U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates’ first-choice preferences. Relocation may be required.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring immediately for these full-time, career Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) opportunities.
Salary And Benefits
Salary for newly appointed law enforcement Border Patrol Agents varies from:
Base Salary: GL-9/GS-11, $65,545 - $124,717per yearLocality Pay: Varies by duty location. Overtime Pay: Up to 25%
Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression from GL-9 to GS-11 to GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in the lower grade level.
All Border Patrol Agents may select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan that is similar to traditional and ROTH 401(k) offerings.
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 Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.Retention Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.
Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations:
Big Bend Sector Stations - *Presidio, Van Horn, *Sanderson, Alpine, *Sierra Blanca, MarfaBuffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley IslandDel Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville, *Comstock, Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Carrizo Springs, UvaldeEl Paso Sector Stations - Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces, *Lordsburg, Santa Teresa, YsletaEl Centro Sector Stations - El Centro, Indio, CalexicoGrand Forks Sector Stations - PembinaHavre Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, SweetgrassHoulton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van BurenLaredo Sector Stations - Laredo South, Cotulla, *Hebbronville, Laredo West, *Freer, Laredo North, ZapataRio Grande Valley Sector Stations - Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, HarlingenSan Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San ClementeSpokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, OrovilleSwanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, RichfordTucson Sector Stations - *Ajo, Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Brian A Terry, Sonoita, Casa Grande, Three Points Substation, WillcoxYuma Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton
Duties And Responsibilities
As a BPA, you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.
Typical Assignments Include
Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations. Preventing and apprehending aliens and smugglers of aliens 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.
Qualifications
GL-9: You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess one (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.
If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GS-11 grade level.
GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one 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 following: 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.
There are no education substitutions for the GL-9 or GS-11 grade-level Border Patrol Agent opportunities.
Other Requirements
Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (including 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).
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 USBP-specific operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, 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 in the Spanish language at the Academy.
How To Apply
Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network registration page. For Position of Interest, select Border Patrol Agent, and then complete the pre-screening questions.
You’ll then receive a link(s) to the BPA Job Opening Announcements (JOAs) on USAJOBS, the federal government’s official employment site, to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opportunity announcement and follow all instructions in the application process, including items (resume, transcripts, etc.) to submit. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the BPA Entrance Exam.
If you have questions about the application process, contact a recruiter through the U.S. Border Patrol page: careers.cbp.gov/s/usbp.
NOTE: As a subscriber to the CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails with information about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with CBP. Show more Show less
