Border Patrol Agent (Resident Agent)

Quick Facts

• Role: Border Patrol Agent (Resident Agent)
• Level/Pay: GS-12 (Step 1: $91,985; Step 10: $119,583)
• Employment basis: Primary law enforcement officer; temporary/rotational assignment up to 3 years (NTE) with possible extensions

Description

As a Border Patrol Agent (Resident Agent), you will serve as a primary law enforcement officer responsible for preventing illegal entry and enforcing U.S. immigration and criminal laws. The role focuses on criminal investigations, warrants, and border interdiction to detect, interdict, and apprehend individuals and contraband attempting to cross U.S. borders illegally. You will also perform intelligence development, represent the agency in multi-agency operations, and participate in community outreach.

Responsibilities

• Conduct criminal investigations
• Prepare affidavits for warrants based on probable cause and execute warrants
• Enforce homeland-protecting laws through detection, interdiction, and apprehension
• Participate in and represent the agency in multi-agency task force operations
• Develop and utilize intelligence on smugglers, informants, and counterfeit document vendors; update national databases
• Engage in community relations and outreach programs

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Selective Service registration (for applicable males born after 12/31/1959)
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years
• Ability to pass background investigation and/or polygraph (favorable results if required)
• Ability to comply with DHS drug-free workplace drug testing procedures
• Ability to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards
• Meet the GS-12 specialized experience standard in law enforcement/responsible work (arrests; firearms judgment; courteous/tactful law-enforcement interactions; rapid analysis and prompt decisions/action; development/maintenance of an informant network)
• Spanish proficiency (speak and read)
• Initial and continuing firearms qualification capability
• After a tentative job offer: successful medical screening
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements (for current federal employees)
• Subject to mandatory retirement coverage for law enforcement officers under specified statutes/regulations
• Ability to operate a government-owned vehicle; valid non-restricted driver’s license
• Willingness to work rotating shifts/overtime and possible regular overnight travel
• Resident Agent expectation to live within 50 miles of the resident location (unless approved)
• Meet DHS maximum age requirements for initial appointment (with specified exceptions)

Benefits

A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is provided; eligibility depends on the position type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).