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**Recruitment Incentive** Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (as defined in 5 CFR 575.102) will be offered a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 to be paid upon successfully completing the academy and the remainder to be paid in full after completing a three-year service agreement. New Agents accepting a hard to fill location will be eligible for an additional $10,000 (for a total of $30,000). Applicants currently in pre-employment do not need to reapply to be eligible for the incentive.
Learn more about this agency01/01/2024 to 01/31/2024
$48,809 - $87,838 per year
A fully trained Border Patrol Agent may be eligible for an additional 25% of base pay in accordance with the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014.
GL 5 - 7
Many vacancies in the following location:
No
No
Occasional travel - Travel may be required based on operational needs.
No
Permanent
Full-time - May include rotating shifts, assignments, and overtime on a regular and recurring basis.
Competitive
12
No
Yes
BPA 24-4
767631100
U.S. Citizens may apply. This announcement is open nationwide to include the southwest border, northern border, and coastal borders. Locations offered are determined by the U.S. Border Patrol.
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.
Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include:
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
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.
Probationary Period: You must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent federal appointment.
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. Successful completion of the academy is required for this position. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Preparing for the Border Patrol Academy for a look at how to prepare for the academy, what you'll learn there and next steps after graduating.
Language Proficiency: Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English. Agents will be provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language at the academy.
Residency Requirement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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.
CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission and core values at https://www.cbp.gov/about.
Additional $10K Recruitment Incentive: Hard to fill locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ. All incentive recipients will be required to sign a three-year service agreement.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to ensuring that all of our employees act in a manner that embodies the Department's Mission Statement: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values. As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details here.
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 and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The E-QIP.
Pre-Screening Interview: As part of the suitability process, you may 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: You must complete the medical screening process and be found to meet the medical standards for the position. 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. For more information click here. This video explains what to expect in the Medical Exam process: Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Medical Exam
Drug Testing Requirements: Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Program. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. For more information, visit our Drug Testing FAQs and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Drug Test.
Physical Fitness Screening: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. This a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass CBP fitness test. For more information, please see the Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test.
Interview Process: You will be required to pass a structured interview. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Structured Interview
After you successfully complete all the pre-employment steps, you will be at the final offer step. For more information on the final offer, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Final Offer.
All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
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. Click this link for more information.
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.
If you have taken and passed the BPA Entrance Exam after March 2021, your passing score is still valid and you do not need to retest. If you have taken and failed the exam, you will need to wait six (6) months from the date you failed the exam until you can retest. Test results prior to March 2021 are no longer valid. A passing score does not guarantee selection.
The Border Patrol Agent Entrance Exam consists of two parts: 1) the Candidate Experience Record; a short online questionnaire and 2) the Logical Reasoning Test (LRT), which can be taken on a personal computer or at a local testing center. This video explains what to expect for the Entrance Exam: Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Entrance Exam
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.
Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period as they successfully complete the entrance exam and meet minimum qualifications.
If you pass the entrance exam and meet minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories for referral and consideration:
Best Qualified: Substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications
Very Highly Qualified: Exceeds, to a very considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
Highly Qualified: Exceeds, to a considerable extent, the minimum qualifications
Well Qualified: Marginally exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and who demonstrate average proficiency in most of the critical competencies
Qualified: Meets the basic 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 Accommodation Requests: If 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, you are able to request a Reasonable Accommodation prior to the online questionnaire and Logical Reasoning Test. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
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 or 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 a signed 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. Prior to entering on duty, you will be required to provide a final DD-214 showing character of service.
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 employee it is recommended you submit your most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" form. Please do not submit a Performance Award SF-50.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Please submit:
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.
If you are a current BPA applicant in pre-employment and you applied prior to July 2023, you will need to reapply to this announcement to be considered for nationwide vacancies.
Before you apply, it is critical that you acknowledge each of CBP's Conditions of Employment. We expect our employees to uphold these conditions throughout their tenure with CBP. This video will detail each of our main categories: appearance and health; examinations, investigations, and tests; fitness and the academy. The goal of this video is to provide you with upfront knowledge of CBP's expectations - Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Conditions of Employment
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 supporting documents at the time of application. Please see the Next Steps section for more information.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP and/or ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. In addition, to be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum requirements of the position as shown in the evaluation section of this announcement.
Duty Locations: Offers are made based on operational needs and requirements and are determined by the U.S. Border Patrol. The locations listed are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographical location within the United States.
Once you submit your application, you will receive an email from CBPEntry_Support@psionline.com with a link to create an account to access the Candidate Experience Record, which takes approximately 1 hour. You must complete this portion of the exam on a personal computer within 48 hours of receipt of the email.
Upon completion of the Candidate Experience Record, you will receive a second email from CBPEntry_Support@psionline.com to complete the Logical Reasoning Test. You will have 14 days to schedule and complete the proctored exam online or at a local testing center. Please be sure to check your email, spam, and junk folders daily. Please allow approximately 2 hours to complete the exam.
If you meet the qualifications for this position and have a passing score, you will be considered for future openings in "category order" in accordance with Veterans' Preference regulations.
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 already in the pre-employment process for a 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.,).
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.
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/767631100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
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 of Homeland Security's and our partners' ability to perform their homeland security functions by doing the following:
