The video: Border Patrol – Protecting the Homeland emphasizes the importance of Border Patrol's frontline role in helping CBP accomplish its mission. For more information on CBP's mission, activities, and careers please visit our website at CBP.gov.

Apply to this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's and our partners' ability to perform their homeland security functions by doing the following:

·         Patrol international land borders and coastal waters

·         Detect and prevent the illegal entry and smuggling of aliens into the United States

·         Detect and prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering into the United States

·         Prevent the illegal trafficking of people, narcotics and contraband into the United States

Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include:

·         Detecting, preventing, and apprehending undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the land borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions 

·         Responding to electronic sensor alarms

·         Interpreting and following tracks, marks and other physical evidence

·         Using infrared scopes during night operations

·         Responding to aircraft sightings and other anti-smuggling activities

·       Performing farm and ranch checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks

Conditions of employment

• You must successfully pass a polygraph examination
• You must successfully pass a background investigation
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
• Referred for selection prior to your 40th birthday (waiver for Veterans)
• Convictions of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are disqualifying
• You will be required to carry a firearm
• You will be required to work regular and recurring shift work
• You must have resided in the U.S. for the last 3 years
• You must meet job-related medical, fitness and drug-testing standards
• You must have a valid driver's license

This is an Excepted Service appointment.  After successfully completing 2 years of service, you will be converted to the competitive service.

Firearm Proficiency: Firearm proficiency is required for Border Patrol Agents and is part of the training provided.

Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Note: If you are a current GS-12 step 1, your salary may be reduced to a GL-5 step 10, which equates to an approximate $21,460 salary reduction (based on locality). Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency.

Formal Training: You will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico for approximately 11 weeks of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement and Border Patrol-specific operations, drivers training, physical techniques, firearms, and other courses. You will also be tested on your language abilities. If you score below an established benchmark, you will attend an additional 8-week Spanish language class at the border patrol academy, which will extend your stay to 19 weeks. This position requires you to wear an officially-approved uniform while in a duty status.

Residency Requirement: To be considered for this position, an applicant must meet the residency requirement for three years before his or her application by:

1.     Residing within the United States or its protectorate or territories; or

2.     Working for the U.S. government as an overseas Federal or military employee; or

3.     Being a dependent of a U.S. Federal or military employee serving overseas.

Exceptions may be granted if you provide complete state-side coverage information regarding participation in "Study Abroad" programs, overseas church missions, or state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with you overseas. You must provide information and related documentation at the time of application.

Driver's License: You must possess a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

You qualify for the GL-5 grade level (starting salary $40,511 up to $50,639 with potential overtime) if you possess one of the following:

a.      One year of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations; learn law enforcement regulations, methods and techniques through classroom training and/or on-the-job instruction; and gather factual information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records; OR

b.      A bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; OR

c.      A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and general work experience.  This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GL-7 grade level (starting salary $46,110 up to $57,637 with the potential overtime) if you possess one of the following:

a.      One year of specialized work experience that demonstrates the ability to make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate law enforcement action in light of applicable laws, court decisions and sound law enforcement matters; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants; OR

b.      A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Go to Superior Academic Achievement to see if you qualify under this provision; OR

c.      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, corrections and rehabilitation) at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; OR

d.      A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized work experience.  This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

If basing qualifications of education, then a bachelor's degree or graduate's degree or higher must be attained within 9-months after the closing date of the announcement. To be eligible for overtime, employees must be fully trained.

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military  law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 grade level. Please refer to the BPA GL-9 announcement:  Apply Here!  

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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.

Age Requirement: Effective with announcement BPA VRA 16-5, May 14, 2016, the Commissioner of CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age for original placement into a BPA position; therefore, candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday (increased from age 37). In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. However, 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). This measure will increase the statutorily mandatory retirement to an age of up to 60 to allow individuals the opportunity to complete 20 years of law enforcement service (See U.S.C 8425 (b)(1) and 8335 (b)(1)).

The age restriction does not apply if you are a veterans' preference eligible. For more information on eligibility as a veterans' preference eligible please see the OPM veterans' guide.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your passing entrance examination score (external assessments), resume, supporting documents, and responses to the job questionnaire. 

The entrance exam (external assessment) contains the following three (3) assessments: The Border Patrol Experience Record assessment, Logical Reasoning Skills, and Spanish Language or Artificial Language Assessment. To be eligible, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70. Proper test preparation is essential for the successful candidate; therefore, we strongly encourage you to review the Border Patrol Agent Study Guides. Test scores prior to December 1, 2014, are no longer valid. You should take the BPA Entrance Exam Pre-Test (sample entrance examination). The pre-test will give you a preview of the types of questions you can expect to see on the actual exam.

You will not be able to retake the entrance exam for six (6) months, regardless of whether you pass or fail.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, as amended, that would interfere with completing the Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam, click here for more information about the request process: Reasonable Accommodations Request Process. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam must be received before the JOA closes to be considered for this job opening. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. After notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam.

If you pass the entrance exam and meet minimum qualifications, you will be considered as follows:

1. Eligible applicants are considered as defined by 5 CFR 302.304(b).

2. Each qualified 10-point preference eligible who has a 10 percent or more compensable, service-connected disability is first, followed second by other 10-point preference eligible, and third, by 5-point preference eligible and last, by non-preference eligible.

Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on grade levels. Veterans with 5-point preference or 10-point non-compensable preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible within the category in which they qualify.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.