Clarification from the agency

THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT USED TO SOLICIT APPLICATIONS FROM CURRENT GL-1896-5 THROUGH GS-1896-12 BORDER PATROL AGENTS, INTERESTED IN A VOLUNTARY LATERAL REASSIGNMENT. NO CHANGE TO LOWER GRADES WILL BE ACCEPTED. AGENTS MUST ONLY REQUEST STATION(S) TO WHICH THEY ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT REASSIGNMENT.

This is a nationwide announcement for voluntary lateral reassignment opportunities for current GL-1896-5 through GS-1896-12 Border Patrol Agents. Requests for change to lower grades will not be accepted. Agents must only request stations to which they are willing to accept reassignment.

Vacancy Notice: The existence of a vacancy at requested location(s) may or may not be available at the time of this announcement. Once the agency exhausts all available funded moves, applicants may receive offers for unfunded/no-cost transfers to stations with vacancies.

***Funded Operational Mobility reassignments are contingent upon the availability of relocation budget funds. It is important to note that budgetary funding during any particular cycle of Operational Mobility IS NOT guaranteed. This includes any additional funding during this particular cycle.***

Station Selection:

• You may receive consideration for up to three stations.
• Select your three stations in order of preference.
• If you wish to change your selected location(s) and/or preference(s) after submitting your application, you must reselect all locations. Changing any location will override all previous choices.

Non-Relocation Incentive Eligible Locations: The following duty locations may be filled under this announcement and do not include a one-time relocation incentive.

Big Bend Sector

• Alpine Station
• Big Bend National Park Substation
• Fort Stockton Station
• Marfa Station
• Presidio Station
• Sanderson Station
• Sierra Blanca Station
• Van Horn Station

Blaine Sector

• Bellingham Station
• Blaine Station
• Sumas Station

Buffalo Sector

• Buffalo Station
• Erie Station
• Niagara Falls Station
• Oswego Station
• Rochester Station
• Wellesley Island Station

Del Rio Sector

• Brackettville Station
• Carrizo Springs Station
• Comstock Station
• Del Rio Station
• Donna M. Doss Station
• Eagle Pass North Station
• Eagle Pass South Station
• Uvalde Station

Detroit Sector

• Detroit Station
• Gibraltar Station
• Marysville Station
• Sandusky Bay Station
• Sault Ste. Marie Station

El Centro Sector

• Calexico Station
• El Centro Station
• Indio Station

El Paso Sector

• Alamogordo Station
• Clint Station
• Deming Station
• El Paso Station
• Fort Hancock Station
• Las Cruces Station
• Lordsburg Station
• Santa Teresa Station
• Ysleta Station

Grand Forks Sector

• Duluth Station
• Grand Forks Substation
• Grand Marais Station
• Pembina Station
• Portal Station
• Warroad Station

Havre Sector

• Havre Station
• Plentywood Station
• Scobey Station
• St. Mary's Station
• Sweetgrass Station

Houlton Sector

• Calais Station
• Fort Fairfield Station
• Fort Kent Station
• Houlton Station
• Jackman Station
• Rangeley Station
• Van Buren Station

Laredo Sector

• Cotulla Station
• Freer Station
• Hebbronville Station
• Laredo North Station
• Laredo South Station
• Laredo West Station
• Zapata Station

Miami Sector

• Dania Beach Station
• Jacksonville Station
• Orlando Station
• Tampa Station
• West Palm Beach Station

New Orleans Sector

• Baton Rouge Station
• Gulfport Station
• Lake Charles Station
• Mobile Station
• New Orleans Station

Ramey Sector

• Ramey Station, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Rio Grande Valley Sector

• Brownsville Station
• Corpus Christi Station
• Falfurrias Station
• Fort Brown Station
• Harlingen Station
• Kingsville Station
• McAllen Station
• Rio Grande City Station
• Weslaco Station

San Diego Sector

• Boulevard Station
• Brown Field Station
• Campo Station
• Chula Vista Station
• Imperial Beach Station
• Newton-Azrak Station
• San Clemente Station

Spokane Sector

• Bonners Ferry Station
• Colville Station
• Curlew Substation
• Eureka Substation
• Metaline Falls Station
• Oroville Station
• Spokane Substation
• Whitefish Station

Swanton Sector

• Beecher Falls Station
• Burke Station
• Champlain Station
• Massena Station
• Newport Station
• Ogdensburg Station
• Richford Station
• Swanton Station

Tucson Sector

• Ajo Station
• Brian A. Terry Station
• Casa Grande Station
• Douglas Station
• Nogales Station
• Sonoita Station
• Three Points Substation
• Tucson Station
• Willcox Station

Yuma Sector

• Blythe Station
• Wellton Station
• Yuma Station

Relocation Incentive Eligible Locations: The following duty locations may be eligible for a one-time relocation incentive payment of up to 25% of annual basic pay, not to exceed $12,800.

Blaine Sector

• Port Angeles Station

Grand Forks Sector

• Bottineau Station
• International Falls Station

Havre Sector

• Malta Station

Miami Sector

• Marathon Station

To be eligible for the relocation incentive payment, you must meet the following requirements:

• The new duty station must be at least 50 miles from your current station.
• You must relocate to the new geographic location.
• You must have a rating of record of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent.
• You may also receive a GSA Lump Sum relocation payment if your new station meets the "distance test."

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards

Who May Apply:

• Current 1896: GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11 & GS-12 Border Patrol Agents in the Bargaining Unit (NBPC/Union) (Agents who are currently serving on a temporary detail or temporary promotion that is non-bargaining and is 120 days or less are eligible for reassignment under this program) who also:
  • Has a minimum of 2 years in service with the agency
  • Is not to be the subject of:
    • Any pending Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
    • Proposed action of suspension of 7 or more days or termination
    • Any open investigation being conducted by OIG or an investigation being conducted by OPR for an allegation which, if sustained, the employee would typically receive a proposal of an adverse action (15 days or more)
    • A Last Chance Agreement as of 07/10/2026
    • Three or more disciplinary actions or a single adverse action (15-day suspension or more) within the last 2 years as of 07/10/2026
  • Has not received a funded relocation in the past 4 years, or within 2 years for remote locations
  • Has not received a reassignment (funded or non-funded) under the Operational Mobility Program in the past 4 years, or within 2 years for remote locations
  • Has not declined an offer under the Operational Mobility Program in the last 2 years
  • Has not accepted an offer under the Operational Mobility Program in the last 4 years, or within 2 years for remote locations
  • Able to perform all the required duties of the Border Patrol Agent position description
  • Has passed their applicable probationary period
  • Is not serving as a Reemployed Annuitant
• View common definitions of terms in this announcement.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, subject to verification at any stage of the application process.
• If you are promoted above the journeyman level Border Patrol Agent GS-12 grade level at any time between the open/close dates of this announcement or before the established enter on duty date, or you make any other changes to your career that cause you to no longer meet the eligibility requirements for this program, you will lose consideration for this reassignment opportunity.

Qualifications

***Funded Operational Mobility reassignments are contingent upon the availability of relocation budget funds. It is important to note that budgetary funding during any particular cycle of Operational Mobility IS NOT guaranteed. This includes any additional funding during this particular cycle.***

You qualify for this position if you are currently serving as a Border Patrol Agent that is a member of the bargaining unit (i.e., eligible to be a member of NBPC/Union), within U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This experience must demonstrate responsibility for applying a comprehensive range of Federal laws, rules, regulations and procedures aimed at preventing the illegal entry of noncitizens into the United States by land, water, or air. If you are selected for this reassignment opportunity, you will be ineligible for a funded reassignment to a new duty location under the Operational Mobility or any other relocation program for a period of 4 calendar years after reporting to the new duty location.

Qualifications by Closing Date: You must meet all qualification requirements and eligibility requirements by 07/10/2026. Please note that qualification and eligibility claims will be subject to verification through a review of your application. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Falsification of your application will remove you from consideration and could subject you to disciplinary action.

Relocation Expenses and GSA Lump Sum (VRP) Payments: Agents relocating as a part of the Operational Mobility Program will receive the following lump sum amount, depending on their status. These lump sum payments are in lieu of any other relocation payments, the home buyout is not included under this relocation.

• $13,600 for one-person households who do not own a home.
• $25,625 for multiple person households who do not own a home.
• $36,175 for one-person households who own a home.
• $48,175 for multiple person households who own a home.

These lump sum amounts are before taxes. CBP will treat the entire lump sum as fully taxable and accordingly will use the flat rate method for withholding appropriate Federal Income Taxes, FICA and Medicare. All lump sum payments will be received through direct deposit.

A GSA Lump Sum (VRP) Verification Process has been established. Please be informed that, within 90 days after your report date, you will be requested to provide valid documentation confirming that you have established a residence closer to the new duty location. Further information on this process will be provided during the selection process.

Agents relocating into or out of Puerto Rico will receive a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move in lieu of a GSA Lump Sum (VRP) payment, subject to the availability of relocation funding.

Distance Test: (1) Effective August 2011, cost transfers are subject to the "distance test". The "distance test" is met when the new official station is at least 50 miles further from the employee's current residence than the old official station is from the same residence. For example, if the old official station is 15 miles from the current residence, then the new official station must be at least 65 miles from that same residence in order to receive relocation expenses for residence transactions. The distance test does not take into consideration the location of a new residence. Note: Station address is the physical address of the station not the official mailing address.

Agents who accept a job offer with a relocation incentive are required to sign a one-year service agreement in addition to the one-year relocation payment service agreement. Additionally, agents are ineligible for reassignment to a new duty location under this or any other relocation program for a period of 4 years as outlined in the Operational Mobility Agreement MOU. The service agreement for the relocation incentive, relocation payment service agreement, and the 4-year ineligibility period will all run concurrently (beginning on your Enter on Duty (EOD) date at the new station).

Relocation Information: To compare cost of living data, calculate mortgage scenarios or gather information on communities and school districts, please visit: Relocation Essentials.

An employee will lose their Relocation Benefits if they begin any portion of their relocation prior to the receipt of the signed/approved Relocation Package (CBP Form 4501 and/or CBP Form 4504) et. al; referred to below as the travel authorization) from the National Relocation Coordinator at the USBP/MROD office.

• §302-2.1 When may I begin my transfer or reassignment? You may begin your transfer or reassignment only after your agency has approved your travel authorization (TA) in writing (paper or electronic).
• §302-2.2 May I relocate to my new official station before I receive a written travel authorization (TA)? No, you must have the written TA (paper or electronic) before you relocate to your new official station.

Per CBP Form 4505 Employment Agreement for Relocating within the Continental United States (CONUS), Agents accepting the relocation offer are required to remain an employee of the agency at the new duty location for at least one full year from reporting date to that location or they will be required to repay the full lump sum payments to the agency with the following exceptions:

• Employee receives a promotion within CBP,
• Moves at the requirement of CBP,
• Qualifies for a relocation under the Spousal or Compassionate Transfer Program,
• Involuntary separation from CBP; or
• Moves back to the former duty location due to significant financial hardship due to the housing market.

Administrative Leave: A cumulative total of 40 hours will be authorized for pre/post move requirements (to include finding a home) for both funded and unfunded/no-cost transfers.

Two CBP Employees: In a multiple person household where two people are CBP employees, only one lump sum amount will be paid.

Change in Residence: In order to receive the GSA Lump Sum (VRP) payment, agents must change residence from which they normally commute to work and meet all requirements outlined in the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR): Travel Regulations.

Official Residence: Official residence is defined as the residence address listed with the National Finance Center (NFC). It is the agent's responsibility to ensure that his/her official residence is correctly annotated in the NFC and updated as necessary.

• Your NFC address will be used to complete all distance test calculations in accordance with this job announcement.
• Please be sure that your Application Manager Profile address is updated as well as your resume to reflect your permanent physical address.
• PO Boxes will not be accepted as they are not permanent addresses.

Reporting Time: If you do not own a residence, you will have 45 calendar days from the date of formal acceptance to report to your new duty location. If you own a residence, you will have up to 90 calendar days from the date of formal acceptance to report to your new duty location.

Unfunded/No-Cost Transfer: No-cost transfers are transfers for which selected agents are not eligible for the GSA Lump Sum (VRP) payment. Management will make as many of these no-cost transfers as determined to be consistent with operational needs. The procedures for selecting agents for no-cost transfers will be the same procedures as outlined above.

If you are currently serving on a Recruitment Incentive Service Agreement or a Relocation Incentive Service Agreement for a specific location, your existing service agreement and incentive will automatically terminate as of the effective date of your reassignment under the Operational Mobility Program.

How you will be evaluated

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

***Funded Operational Mobility reassignments are contingent upon the availability of relocation budget funds. It is important to note that budgetary funding during any particular cycle of Operational Mobility IS NOT guaranteed. This includes any additional funding during this particular cycle.***

As a Border Patrol Agent, you will serve as a primary Law Enforcement Officer under 5 U.S.C. 8331 (6C) and 8412 (d) and be responsible for:

• Preventing the entry of terrorists and their weapons of terrorism.
• Enforcing the laws that protect America's homeland by the detection, interdiction & apprehension of those who attempt to illegally enter or smuggle any person or contraband across our Nation's sovereign borders.
• Selected agents will patrol the international boundary and coastal waterways and may use a variety of Government assets for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission. These assets include, but are not limited to: Vehicles, horses, vessels, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles and motorcycles.

A series of questions will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications. If you meet those qualifications, you will be referred to management for selection consideration. 60% of the allotted slots for funded relocations will be filled based on seniority, with selections made to one of the applicant's chosen stations, provided there is an open billet. The remaining 40% of the allotted slots will be designated by management to specific stations, and these slots will then be filled based on seniority.

Seniority Date Calculation: Provide your seniority date with U.S. Border Patrol in the 1896 series. This date will be used to rank you with your peers. Employees who knowingly or intentionally misrepresent their seniority date will be ineligible for relocation for four years. Generally, for most employees, this will be your initial Enter on Duty (EOD) date.

• If you have only had one EOD date as an 1896 BPA, that EOD date is your seniority date.
• If you have multiple EOD dates as an 1896 BPA, you likely have an adjusted EOD that would be used as your seniority date.

How to Calculate your Adjusted EOD Date: The total number of days you spent as an 1896 BPA prior to your current EOD date can be added to the front of your current EOD date, giving you a total of that number of extra days of seniority, as if you had been continuously employed since that earlier date.

For example: You were an 1896 BPA from 10/1/2013 through 11/29/2013 and had to leave the academy due to personal reasons; that is 60 days of seniority to be credited to you once you returned to USBP as an 1896 BPA with an EOD date of 5/2/2014. Those 60 days of prior service are added to the front of your current EOD date, like this:

March 3rd, 2014 |-------------| May 2nd, 2014
| -------------------- | 60-days |---------------------|
Adjusted EOD |-------------| Current EOD

As a result, your adjusted EOD date for seniority purposes is 3/3/2014, giving you an extra 60 days of seniority over your academy classmates.

If you were previously employed by USBP or CBP (including legacy INS or Customs), with a different occupational series/title, the same calculations can be made; however are not part of an adjusted EOD date unless a tiebreaker is needed.

If you're unsure of your adjusted EOD date, contact your sector HR office.