**Effective Immediately** Newly appointed eligible Border Patrol Agents (BPA) will be offered a $5,000 recruitment incentive upon successful completion of the academy; additionally, new Agents accepting one of the following locations Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Rocksprings, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ will be eligible for an additional $5,000 recruitment incentive (for a total of $10,000). Applicants who have received a tentative offer of employment and are currently in the pre-employment process and have not entered on duty do not need to reapply to be eligible for the recruitment incentive.
Newly appointed eligible Border Patrol Agents (BPA) must meet the criteria defined in 5 CFR 575.102 for new federal employees and be required to attend the formal academy training. Agents may be offered the $5,000 remote location incentive regardless of academy requirement. All incentive recipients will be required to sign a one year service agreement.
Primary law enforcement positions are expected to report to their duty station on a daily basis. However, due to COVID-19, some positions in CBP are currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, and you are given on an entrance on duty date you will be provided additional information on the reporting requirements of your position. You will be expected to report to the duty station as instructed.
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 noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens 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
- Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways and using a variety of Government assets for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission. These assets may include, but are not limited to: vehicles, horses, vessels, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles
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:
- start as a BPA in February 2023 as a GL-7 and make $50,704 – $80,151 per year*
- be promoted in February 2024 to GL-9 and make $56,551 – $91,213 per year*
- be promoted in February 2025 to GS-11 and make $66,214 – $107,593 per year*
- be promoted in February 2026 to GS-12 and make $79,363 – $128,970 per year*
*Please note this example includes a range from minimum locality pay up to maximum potential salary with overtime earnings. Pay rates are based on the 2022 “Rest of the United States” salary table and do not take into consideration higher locality pay where applicable or yearly cost of living increases.
A fully trained Border Patrol Agent may be eligible up to an additional 25% of base pay in accordance with the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014.
Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here; as established by the Border Patrol’s Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #07-09126. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head, face, neck or hands are not permitted with the exception of one ring tattoo on each hand that cannot be wider than one half inch. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible. All visible tattoos and/or brandings will be covered while performing the following volunteer duties: Recruiting, Public Affairs Officer, Oral Hiring Boards, International Liaison duties, Community Affairs or judicial proceedings.
