About this role
Job SummaryOrganizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, within many nationwide locations. Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection. There is no recruitment incentive associated with this job announcement.
QualificationsThis position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrated the ability to: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate law enforcement action in light of applicable laws, court decisions, and sound law enforcement procedures; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants. -AND- You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following: One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that shows you have the skills necessary to interpret and enforce immigration or comparable laws, rules, and regulations, and to perform intelligence, prosecutions, investigations, and anti-smuggling, to identify operational problems, to devise solutions, to ensure compliance of enforcement and operational practices and to apprise management of deficiencies or noted problems. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish). Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/05/2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. 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. 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. Travel: Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis. 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 #IOP-5320-02A-UGSBPA. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head and face are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible. Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.
Major DutiesThis announcement has been amended on 4/6/2026 to extend the closing date to 5/8/2026. This announcement has been amended on 5/11/2026 to extend the closing date to 6/5/2026. You lived the mission every day and know what it takes to protect America's citizens, borders, and economic prosperity. U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) requires Agents with your passion and work experience in Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As a retired Border Patrol Agent, we are calling you back to the frontlines to protect American interest and secure our Nation. Your country needs your expertise, professionalism, and commitment. Benefits of returning to USBP as a reemployed annuitant may include: The availability of a salary offset waiver, allowing you to retain your full retirement annuity and full salary while re-employed, An expedited pre-employment process, Accelerated re-entry training conducted at the sector. Make an impact; re-join the U.S. Border Patrol - Honor First! This position will allow you to use your expertise to prevent illegal entry of aliens into the United States by land, water, or air; enforce criminal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Laws; and seek out and apprehend smugglers or aliens who are in the United States illegally. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to protect the homeland. This position starts at a salary of $88,621.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $115,213.00 (GS-12, Step 10). Salary will be determined based on prior employment history. As a re-employed annuitant CBP may allow a waiver of Salary Offset (Dual Compensation Waiver). Reemployed annuitants with a dual compensation waiver receive both their full basic annuity and full salary. Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include: Detecting and questioning persons 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, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission. Duty Locations: You will be asked to select your first and second preferred US Border Patrol Sector locations: Big Bend Sector Blaine Sector Buffalo Sector Del Rio Sector Detroit Sector El Paso Sector El Centro Sector Grand Forks Sector Havre Sector Houlton Sector Laredo Sector Miami Sector New Orleans Sector Rio Grande Valley Sector San Diego Sector Spokane Sector Swanton Sector Tucson Sector Yuma Sector Ramey Sector - Please note, relocation is not authorized for this announcement. To be considered for the Ramey Sector, please email your application package to [email protected]. NOTE: Placement will be determined based on current vacancy and operational requirements. For more information on USBP Sectors, click here. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring for law enforcement jobs that have an exciting opportunity! Once onboarded, you'll first be assigned for up to one year to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The law enforcement component of the D.C. Task Force is a partnership of over 20 federal and local agencies working together to make D.C. the safest city in America. Once the assignment ends, you'll transition back to support the CBP. Visit the D.C. Task Force page for more information.RequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures You must be under the age of 59 to be considered for this position. Law enforcement positions in the GS-1800 occupational groups are covered by mandatory separation provisions at 5 U.S.C. 8335(b)(1), which requires automatic separation, without exception, for individuals age 60 or older. Who May Apply: Retired Border Patrol Agents: Former Border Patrol Agents, who have retired from USBP within the past Five (5) years. Must meet eligibility for reinstatement as defined by 5 CFR 315.401. Must have passed the Border Patrol Academy and post-Academy prior to leaving CBP. Must have successfully completed the requirements of a probationary or trial period. Must have satisfactory or pass performance appraisals during the last three years of federal employment. Must have been separated at the applicant's choice with no disciplinary action taken within the last three years of CBP employment and with no disciplinary proceeding pending. Must have held a competitive permanent position with the Full Performance Level of GS-12. Retired applicants must have been retired one (1) year before the closing date of this announcement. TERM Appointment: To meet agency needs, this position will be filled on a term basis not-to-exceed (NTE) 1/20/2029 or your 60th Birthday, whichever occurs first. The minimum time in this appointment is one year. If you turn 60 within one year, you are not eligible for this position. Candidates may be contacted prior to the JOA close date to initiate the hiring process.