Border Patrol Jobs in the United States
US Customs and Border Protection
Old Bridge, NJ
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; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions 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. You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One 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 .
US Customs and Border Protection
Paw Paw, MI
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; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions 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. You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One 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 .
US Customs and Border Protection
Sunnyside, NY
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; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions 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. You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One 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 .
US Customs and Border Protection
South Glens Falls, NY
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; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions 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. You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One 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 .
US Customs and Border Protection
Little Chute, WI
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; to deal effectively with people in a courteous and tactful manner; to analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions 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. You qualify for the GL-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: One 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 .
US Customs and Border Protection
Riverview, FL
Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed. Hiring Minimums: Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 flight hours; (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours; see Required Documents in the job announcement regarding the Flight Hour Waiver).
US Customs and Border Protection
Mount Pleasant, NC
Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed. Hiring Minimums: Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 flight hours; (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours; see Required Documents in the job announcement regarding the Flight Hour Waiver).
US Customs and Border Protection
Bailey, NC
Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed. Hiring Minimums: Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 flight hours; (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours; see Required Documents in the job announcement regarding the Flight Hour Waiver).
US Customs and Border Protection
Toms River, NJ
Experience: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Flying as a Pilot-in-Command or sole manipulator in an airplane and helicopter in all environments of flight, including night, poor weather, unfavorable terrain, low altitudes, or speed. Hiring Minimums: Pilot Enter on Duty minimums are 1500 flight hours; (up to 500 hours can be waived, reducing the pilot enter on duty minimums to 1000 hours; see Required Documents in the job announcement regarding the Flight Hour Waiver).
Border Patrol Jobs Overview
Border patrol jobs fall under the control of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a federal law enforcement agency. Border patrol agents are responsible for protecting the land borders with Canada and Mexico, as well as the coastal waters of Florida and California. They are the first line of defense against any illegal activity that could be a threat to the security of the country.
They prevent, intercept or arrest wanted and undocumented people or those involved in smuggling and narcotics. To do so, they watch immigration lines, conduct inspections at checkpoints and on transports, as well as following clues and other evidence. They also make use of electronic sensor alarms, infrared scopes, and other innovative technologies.
Are you considering other protective services jobs as well? Have a look at some of the most popular job offers on Monster including:
Training and Skills for Border Patrol Jobs
If you wish to become part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a border patrol agent, you need to satisfy the following requirements to apply:
- have a U.S. passport and have lived in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years
- have a valid U.S. driver's license
- be eligible to bear weapons
- be 39 or younger (although certain exceptions apply)
Although a college degree is not mandatory to enter the field, a bachelor’s degree is generally preferred and will help put you ahead of the competition. To secure a border patrol job, you’ll have to go through a particularly intense application process that includes passing:
- the Border Patrol Entrance Exam made up of the Experience Record and the Logical Reasoning test
- a background check
- a medical examination
- a physical fitness test, preceded by a six-week standardized training program
- a structured interview
- a polygraph exam
- a drug test
You also need to possess a series of soft and hard skills such as communication (preferably in foreign languages as well), critical thinking, decision-making, attention to detail, cultural awareness, teamwork, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Update Your Resume for a Border Patrol Job
For border patrol applications and other law enforcement roles, writing a resume requires special precision, attention to detail, and going against our usual advice to “keep it short”. To qualify for a border patrol position, what you include in your resume is crucial, as it will determine what grade level you are eligible for. Be precise then, add starting and ending dates, names of institutions and companies, exact job titles, possession of certificates, and grades.
In this case, don’t exclude from your resume your work experiences that don’t necessarily address the requirements. They could help you gain extra points by showing that you have particularly valuable skills. What you should keep simple still is your resume format. If you’re unsure how to build yours, just download our police officer resume sample - a similar profession - and adapt it to your needs. Finally, attach a well-written cover letter to your application. In this document, you can talk about your motivations and aspirations, and enter more details about your past achievements.
Interviewing for a Border Patrol Job
As an aspiring border patrol agent, the type of job interview questions you’ll receive will likely deal with quick decision-making, teamwork, ethics, and responsibility. Prepare in advance examples of past experiences in which you exhibit those.
Situational and behavioral questions, which question you about unexpected occurrences, will surely be an important part of your interview as well. To ace them and all the other most difficult interview questions use the STAR method whenever possible.
How Much Do Border Patrol Jobs Pay?
The average base salary for border patrol agents is comparable to that of police officers, which is around $42,942 per year. That data, however, doesn’t take into account any long service bonuses, locality, overtime, and premium pay you could be eligible to receive.
You can easily check how much you could earn in your city on Monster’s Salary Tool. We’ll show you the salaries for similar roles and advise you on skills to work on next to progress in your career as well.
Want to Learn More About a Company You’re Interested In?
Are you wondering how many locations could you find a job as a border patrol agent in? Perhaps you’d like to look into other law enforcement careers as well. Check out Monster’s company section. You can find organizations by sector, company size, or simply by name. In every profile, you’ll learn information to help you decide which employer is right for you, such as:
- company overview
- employee benefits
- the latest jobs available
Intercept Border Patrol Jobs with Help from Monster
With Monster, obtaining a job in Homeland security is fast and easy when you set up an account on Monster. Upload your resume and select what kind of opening you’re interested in. You’ll receive the latest opportunities to your inbox as soon as they’re published. Plus, your profile will always be visible to companies and recruiters looking for new hires on Monster.