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This announcement is for Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA) eligible applicants only. For more information on VRA eligibilities, see Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans. If you have not served in the US military or if you do not qualify under VRA, please apply to our Direct Hire Announcement here.
Learn more about this agency01/01/2020 to 01/31/2020
$49,016 - $77,484 per year
GL 7
Many vacancies in the following location:
No
Occasional travel - Travel may be required based on operational needs.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Excepted
12
No
Yes
BPA VRA 20-4
554740700
A fully trained Border Patrol Agent (BPA) may be eligible for overtime pay (up to an additional 25% of salary). Border Patrol Agents (BPA) may also have a higher starting salary based on their duty location. Please visit the OPM website for more information.
Shift Work/Overtime: This position requires regular and recurring shift work. You must be willing and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations. You could be required to work overtime on a daily basis and will be compensated up to an additional 25% of your base pay in accordance with the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014.
This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, and 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 each grade level. Promotions are at the discretion of the agency. For example you could:
This is an Excepted Service appointment. After successfully completing 2 years of service, you will be converted to the competitive service.
Selective Service Registration: Males born after 12/31/1959 must verify registration. To verify your registration OR request a Status Information Letter click here.
Firearm Proficiency: You will be required to carry a firearm. Firearm proficiency is required for all Border Patrol Agents and is part of the training provided.
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, law enforcement and Border Patrol-specific operations, drivers training, physical techniques, firearms, and other courses. You will also be provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language and will be tested on your language abilities.
Language Proficiency: Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English.
Residency Requirement: CBP has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three (3) of the last five (5) years, before completing an application for CBP employment. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
See the Qualifications Section for education substitution.
Polygraph Examination: This is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you will be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. For more information and videos about the polygraph process, please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior Federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain Veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation package.
Background Investigation: This position is a sensitive National Security Position and, upon selection, applicants will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention in this position. For more information please see Background Investigation.
Pre-Screening Interview: As a part of the suitability process, you will be required to undergo a pre-screening interview.
Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence: The Border Patrol Agent position is a weapons-carrying position. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Therefore, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you are not qualified for this position.
Medical/Physical Requirements: This position has medical/physical requirements. Click here for the specific requirements. You must complete the medical screening process and be found to meet the medical standards for the position. Employees in this position may be required to undergo a medical examination/evaluation at the request of the Agency. If you do not meet the medical standards for the position, you may request a waiver of the medical standard by demonstrating with non-medical information that, with or without reasonable accommodation, you can safely perform the essential duties of the position.
Drug Testing Requirements: This is a drug testing designated position. You must complete and pass a drug test as a condition of employment. Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the Agency's Drug-Free Workplace Program.
Physical Fitness Screening: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please see the Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program for additional information. This a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass CBP fitness tests.
Interview Process: You will be required to pass a face-to-face structured interview.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the entrance examination. Test scores prior to August 5, 2018, are no longer valid.
The entrance exam consists of two parts: 1) the online assessment taken on a personal computer and, 2) the proctored exam taken at a local testing center. The Proctored Examination contains the following assessment: Logical Reasoning. To be eligible, applicants must pass the entrance examination 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 and take the BPA Entrance Exam Pre-Test. The pre-test is a preview of the types of questions you can expect to see on the actual exam.
Proctored testing will be conducted January 2, 2020 - February 14, 2020. The proctored assessment may take up to four (4) hours to complete.
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. 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:
Resume: A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history, a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), as well as your hours worked per week. If you are a current and former Federal employee please include your salary, pay scale and pay grade information. Note: Most applicants are screened out for insufficient information on their resume. Please see the CBP Border Patrol Agent Resume Aid for specific information and examples.
Transcripts: Required if basing any part of your qualifications on education and must be in English from an accredited institution. Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended are required. Official transcripts are preferred but will accept unofficial at the time of application. Official transcripts are required upon receipt of a final offer of employment. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualifications requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
Veterans' Preference Documents: If you claim Veterans' Preference you will be required to submit proof of eligibility (DD 214 Member-4 copy, Certificate of Release or Discharge) showing your Character of Service. Those applying for 10-Point preference must submit documentation that demonstrates preference eligibility. Please see the documentation as listed on the SF-15.
Statement of Service (Certification Letter): If you are still on active duty you must submit certification from the Armed Forces showing when you will be discharged or released from active duty. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) campaign badges and expeditionary medals; and (3) the character of service. View more about Veterans' Preference.
Age Requirement Documents: If you are over the age of 40 you will need to submit proof you are eligible for the position of Border Patrol Agent. If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service; you must submit copies of your SF-50s reflecting the beginning date and end date of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20), and Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Block 30 of your SF-50 should show Retirement Code M or O. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement. If you are claiming an age waiver based on Veterans' Preference, submit the required Veterans' Preference documents.
SF-50: If you are a current/former Federal employees it is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" form. Please do not submit a Performance Award SF-50.
Reasonable Accommodation Documents: If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the Border Patrol Agent external assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Are you a current or former political appointee? If you are or have been a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential appointee employee, you must submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To begin your online application, sign into USA Jobs or create a USA Jobs account if you do not already have one. Click Apply and follow the prompts to fill out the online questionnaire and submit your application. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the Required Documents section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are planning to apply using your phone or tablet, see Browser Compatibility.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The email address posted below is for inquiries only. Applicants may not update any part of their application after initial submission. You must submit your resume, application questionnaire, and any supporting documents at the time of application. Please see the Next Steps section for more information.
Duty Locations: Locations for this announcement are along the Southwest Border, and after VRA eligible applicants have cleared all pre-employment requirements. Locations available are based on the needs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the time an applicant clears all pre-employment requirements. No location is guaranteed. The U.S. Border Patrol does not allow the initial assignment of Border Patrol Agent trainees to duty stations within a 100-mile radius of their pre-employment home of record. This will not affect your future career decisions or your ability to apply for or be selected for positions that are near your pre-employment home of record.
For more information on CBP's mission, activities, and careers please visit our website at CBP.gov.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. View more information on applying for Federal employment. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.
All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
CBP encourages women, minorities and veterans to apply for an exciting career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Twitter @CustomsBorder
Once you submit your application, you will receive an email from assessments@usahire.opm.gov with a link to complete the online assessment. You must complete this portion of the exam on a personal computer within 72 hours of receipt.
Upon completion of the online assessment, you will receive a second email from USAHire_support@panpowered.com to schedule the proctored exam at a local testing center. Please be sure to check your email, spam, and junk folders daily. Scheduling the proctored exam as soon as possible will ensure the most options for testing. The last day of proctored testing ends February 14, 2020. You will not be able to retake the entrance exam for six (6) months, regardless of whether you pass or fail. A passing score does not guarantee selection.
Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period as they successfully complete the entrance exam and meet minimum qualifications. Due to the critical needs of this position, all eligible and qualified applicants will be referred for selection consideration.
Your status will be updated on USA Jobs throughout the process. To check your status, log into your USA Jobs account and go to your home page to view active applications.
If you are currently in the pre-employment process for the Border Patrol Agent position at the grades 5, 7 or 9 and you reapply under this announcement and are subsequently referred for a position, all active pre-employment process statuses will be applied to this application (e.g., medical status, background investigation, etc.).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/554740700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
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 diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.
Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. CBP employees protect our Nation's borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade.
Apply to this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's and our partners' ability to perform their homeland security functions by doing the following:
