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February 2026 Update GL-5 / 7 grade levels

Border Patrol Agent (BPA) – in the Federal Security and Public Safety Sector (Entry Level)

A MISSION WORTHY OF A CAREER!

If you’re looking for “just a job,” then stop reading right now. But, if you’re looking for a long-term federal law enforcement career, one that makes a difference every day to our country and its citizens, then the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) would like you to take the first step to becoming an entry level Border Patrol Agent.

USBP is hiring immediately to

fill full-time, entry-level, career

positions in federal law enforcement where your prior experience in public safety, security, military police or law enforcement may qualify. Train and work with an elite team of professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and sense of purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America.

Now is the time to make your move because, along with excellent base pay, exceptional benefits, and job stability,

USBP is offering up to $60,000 in additional incentives (see details below).

Salary and Benefits

Annual base salary for newly appointed BPAs varies per grade, as follows : GL-5 / GL-7 $51,632 - $92,219 per year. Border Patrol Agents are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional ROTH 401(k) offering.

• Recruitment Incentive

Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (as defined in

5 CFR 575.102 )

will be eligible for up to $20,000 in incentives. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location such as Sierra Blanca, Presidio, Sanderson, Comstock, Freer or Hebbronville, TX; Lordsburg, NM; or Ajo, AZ.

Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.

Duty Locations

IMPORTANT NOTICED : Duty assignments available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations.

U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates’ first-choice preferences.

RELOCATION MAY BE REQUIRED.

Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without reapplying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level.

Duty Locations : You will be asked to select your preferred location for one of the following mission critical locations : >

Big Bend Sector Stations -

Buffalo Sector Stations - Wellesley Island

Del Rio Sector Stations - Del Rio, Brackettville,

El Paso Sector Stations - Alamogordo, Clint, Deming, El Paso, Fort Hancock, Las Cruces,

El Centro Sector Stations - El Centro, Indio, Calexico

Grand Forks Sector Stations - Pembina

Havre Sector Stations - Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, Sweetgrass

Houlton Sector Stations - Calais, Fort Fairfield, Jackman, Rangeley, Van Buren

Laredo Sector Stations - Laredo South, Cotulla,

Rio Grande Valley Sector Stations - Rio Grande City, Fort Brown, McAllen, Brownsville, Falfurrias, Weslaco, Kingsville, Harlingen

San Diego Sector Stations - Boulevard, Brownfield, Campo, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Murrieta, San Clemente

Spokane Sector Stations - Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls, Oroville

Swanton Sector Stations - Beecher Falls, Burke, Champlain, Newport, Richford

Tucson Sector Stations -

Yuma Sector Stations - Blythe, Yuma, Wellton

Duties and Responsibilities

As a BPA, you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

Typical assignments include :

Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and custom laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations

Preventing and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions to include using infrared scopes during night operations

Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband

Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks

Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following :

Experience :

One (1) year of general work experience that demonstrates the ability to take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations; to learn regulations, methods, and techniques through classroom training and / or on-the-job instruction; and the ability to gather concise information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records; OR

Education Substitution :

OR

Combination of Experience and Education :

A combination of general work experience AND successfully completed college education. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

You qualify for the GL-7 grade level if you possess one of the following :

Experience :

One year of specialized work experience that shows you have the skills necessary to :

Make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms.

Deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters.

Analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions where you will be expected to make arrests after the completion of required training and apply these skills in a law enforcement capacity such as criminal code enforcement, determining violations of laws, correctional or rehabilitation work involving criminal offenders, security, military, etc.

The above experience will be applied in connection with the following : Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.

Education Substitution for the GL-7 grade level :

A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership. Or will receive a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. Or one full year of graduate-level education in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university; OR

A Combination of Experience and Education :

This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

Note :

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GL-9 and or GS-11 grade level. Please refer to the BPA GL-9 - 11 announcement.

Other Requirements

Citizenship :

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this pos