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Border Patrol Agent (20K To 30K Bpa Vra Recruitment Incentive)

Customs and Border Protection

Posted Date 11/01/2024
Description **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 prioritized 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.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:
  • 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.
Click on this video for more information on what it's like to be a Border Patrol Agent - A Day in the Life of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent In this video, actual agents in the field provide insight into the skills needed to be successful in the role, the tools they use, and what drives U.S. Border Patrol Agents.

For more information on becoming a Border Patrol Agent, contact our recruiters here.

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 re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level. Promotions are at the discretion of the agency. Pay rates are based on the 2024 OPM Salary Tables and do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases.

For more information on career progression, click here.

Language Proficiency: This position requires the ability to speak and read Spanish and English. Agents will be provided training to become proficient with the Spanish language at the academy.

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. Updated guidance: Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head or face are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible.

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.

Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC). For more information, please visit https://bpunion.org/about-nbpc/.The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of this announcement. It is your responsibility to verify that any information submitted with your application is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration.

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

Experience: One year of general experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level 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: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited or college or university; OR will receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement and will upload all official or unofficial transcripts before the closing date of this announcement; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of general 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 experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that shows you have the experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrates the skills necessary to make sound judgments and decisions in the use of firearms; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; to 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 training others, managing finances, code enforcement, doing compliance work, corrections, security, military, emergency responders, etc.; OR

Education Substitution: 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. Go to Superior Academic Achievement to see if you qualify under this provision; 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 within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; 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, corrections and rehabilitation) or law school from an accredited or college or university; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed 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, corrections and rehabilitation) or law school from an accredited college or university. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

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 VRA GL-9 - 11 announcement: Apply Here!

National Service 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.

Experience as a CBP Explorer may be qualifying if your resume provides sufficient information to credit your experience. To receive full credit for your experience, please be sure to describe your duties, roles and responsibilities in detail.

Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

The age restriction does not apply if you are a Veterans' Preference eligible. For more information on Veterans' Preference eligibility please see the OPM Veterans' Guide.

Firearm Requirements: 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.

Current Federal Employees: Current federal employees who apply to this announcement may be required to accept a change to lower grade which will reduce their current salary based on Federal pay regulations. Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency.

Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you 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.See the Qualifications Section for education substitution.

This is a VRA Excepted Service appointment. You are eligible to be considered under this announcement if you:
  • Served during a war or have a campaign or expedition medal; OR
  • Are a disabled veteran; OR have an Armed Forces Service Medal (includes the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal); OR
  • Are a recently separated veteran (within 3 years since discharge); OR
  • Will be separated from the military within 120-days from the closing date of this announcement;
  • AND separated under honorable conditions.
Click here to see if you are eligible for a VRA appointment. Upon satisfactory completion of a two-year trial period you will be converted to a competitive appointment.

Due to the vigorous pre-employment process, applicants who only meet the criteria of "recently separated veteran" may wish to apply under the public job announcement to ensure they will be eligible for a final offer once all pre-employment processes are complete. These public announcements can be found on the CBP Careers page.

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: Prioritized 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.

Rigorous Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a rigorous position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS (5 CFR 842.803 and 5 CFR 831.903, Conditions for Coverage; 5 USC 8425(b) and 5 USC 8335(b), Mandatory Separation; and 5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c), Immediate Retirement). For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, please see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43). If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.
Salary48,809.00 - 87,838.00 Annual
Opportunity Type
Job

Volunteer Opportunity

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