The video: Border Patrol – Protecting the Homeland emphasizes the importance of Border Patrol's frontline role in helping CBP accomplish its mission. 

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 sighting 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 exam
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
• Referred for selection prior to your 40th birthday (waiver for Veterans)
• You must have resided in the U.S. for the last 3 years
• You must successfully pass a background investigation
• 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 meet job-related medical, fitness and drug-testing standards
• You must have a valid driver's license

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 will be required to serve a probationary period in accordance with 5 CFR 315 and may be required to accept a change to lower grade which may 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-9 step 10, which equates to an approximate $5,812.00 salary reduction (based on locality). Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency and may be subject to a probationary period.

Probationary Period: You must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

Language Proficiency: Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English. 

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.

Uniform: 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. Worked 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 can provide complete state-side coverage information regarding participation in "Study Abroad" programs, overseas church mission, or state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with you overseas. You must provide information and related documentation during the hiring process.

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.

If you do not have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify for the GL-5 or GL-7 grade levels. Please refer to the BPA GL-5/7 grade level announcement:  Apply Here!

You qualify for the GL-9 grade level (starting salary $51,424 up to $64,280 with potential overtime) if you possess the following:

One year of specialized work experience in law enforcement that demonstrates the ability to make arrests which includes the detainment of a person(s), handcuffing, restraining, arresting or containment of person(s) and/or have one year of specialized work experience that demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain contact with a network of informants, social and political organizations, state and local enforcement agencies, and private citizens, to ensure continuity of enforcement work and to carry out enforcement responsibilities. Experience should also demonstrate the ability to perform or conduct several of the following: criminal investigation involving violation of state, local or federal laws; seizure of illegal contraband (drugs); law enforcement database checks for citizenship, warrants, etc.; obtain or execute search warrants relevant to criminal cases or activity; testify in court to present evidence or act as a witness in administrative and/or criminal cases; administer oaths and/or receive sworn statements or facts from witnesses or other parties; exercise sound judgement in interpreting and applying matters relating to national security; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; and/or 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 procedures.

Note: To be eligible for overtime, employees must be fully trained.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience) 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.

This announcement is open to VRA-eligible applicants. Please see the Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans for more information.

Age Requirement: Effective May 8, 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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience and training will be rated using an online self-assessment questionnaire that is based on the competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.You will receive a score ranging from 70-100 based on your responses. Your entire application package will then be reviewed.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics (KSAOs): Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements are required to possess certain Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, or Other Characteristics (KSAOs) to successfully perform the functions of this position.Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their ability to perform of these KSAOs in their resume. The KSAOs are:

• Knowledge of Immigration and Nationality Law (e.g., non-immigrant classifications, immigrant classifications, inadmissible aliens, removable aliens, 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., hand gun, shotgun, M-4)
• Skill in Basic Operation of a Motor Vehicle (e.g., everyday use of vehicles, parallel parking)

You will be placed in one of the following categories for referral and consideration:  

  Best Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications.
  Well Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that marginally exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who demonstrate average proficiency in most of the critical competencies.
  Qualified: Applicants possessing the type and quality of experience that meets the minimum qualifications.

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.

Reasonable Accommodations will be provided on a case-by-case basis to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, both as amended.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.