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Start
your application today and join the federal border protection force that guards
America's borders!
Qualifications
You
may qualify for the BPA position based on education, experience, or a
combination of both.
Experience
Requirements for a GL-5 level:
Applicants must have a substantial background of work experience of which
at least one year must have been comparable in level of difficulty and
responsibility to grade GL-4 in the Federal service. This type of
experience must demonstrate the ability to do all three of the following:
-
Take
charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful
situations;
-
Learn law
enforcement regulations, methods and techniques through classroom
training and/or on-the-job instruction;
-
Gather
factual information through questioning, observation, and examination of
documents and records.
Experience
Requirements for a GL-7 level:
Applicants must have one year of law enforcement experience comparable in
level of difficulty and responsibility. Applicants must demonstrate the
ability to do all four of the following:
-
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 manners;
-
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 matters;
-
Develop
and maintain contact with a network of informants.
Experience
Requirements for the GL-9 Level: Applicants
must have one year of law enforcement experience comparable in level of
difficulty and responsibility to the GL-7 level that includes practical
knowledge to interpret and an ability to enforce federal laws, rules, and
regulations. This experience must demonstrate the ability to do all eight
of the following:
-
Develop
cases, conduct interviews or interrogations, make apprehensions and
arrests in order to further the process or cease development.
-
Prepare
cases and appear as a professional witness in court.
-
Exercise
sound judgment in the use of firearms and conduct training,
qualification exercises, or courses in the proper care and use of
firearms.
-
Deal
effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous and
tactful manner in their detention, control or interrogation, and work to
promote effective community outreach programs and public relations.
-
Analyze
and disseminate intelligence information and data rapidly; and apply a
practical knowledge of the laws, concepts, operational practices and law
enforcement methods and techniques in order to independently perform
duties typically encountered in law enforcement.
-
Develop
and maintain contact with a network of informants, social and political
organizations, state and local enforcement agencies, and private
citizens, to ensure continuity of enforcement work and to carry out
enforcement responsibilities.
-
Use a
variety of law enforcement databases and information retrieval systems,
such as TECS, NCIC, and NEXUS.
-
Prepare
reports and write other documents that deal with the collection,
protection, and recording of evidence, the presentation of testimony,
and the retention of informational materials concerning illegal
activities and practices encountered during daily activities.
The grade level will
be determined based on the information provided in your application. If
you are offered and accept a position as a BPA at the GL-5/7 level, the
grade level cannot be changed after you have entered on duty.
Education:
If applicants do not have the work experience described above, 4 academic
years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, or a bachelor's degree
from an accredited college can be substitute and is fully qualifying for the
GL-5 level. For the GL-7 level, one full your of graduate education in law or
in field related to law enforcement (e.g. criminal justice, police science,
etc.) is qualifying, or meeting the provisions of Superior Academic
Achievement (SAA) (See
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp for information on SAA)
Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable for
qualification requirements unless it have been evaluated by a private foreign
educational credential evaluation service. (See
http://www.naces.org/members.htm for a list of organizations that provide
this evaluation service).
Combining
qualifying experience and education:
If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone, you may be able
to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education.
For
more information on BPA Qualification Requirements, please visit our website
at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/custom_careers/border_careers/basic_requirements_for_bp.xml
U.S.
Citizenship:
Candidates must be United States citizens and present proof of citizenship, if
selected.
Residency:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also has a residency requirement that
applies to all applicants other than current CBP employees. If you are not
currently a CBP employee, CBP requires that for the three (3) years prior to
filling an application for employment, individuals must meet one or more of
the following primary residence criteria:
-
Applicant resided in the United States or its protectorates or territories
(short trips abroad, such as vacations, will not necessarily disqualify an
applicant); or
-
Applicant worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a
federal or military capacity; or
-
Applicant was a dependent of a U.S. federal or military employee serving
overseas.
Background Security
Investigation: Prior to appointment, tentative selectees must undergo
and satisfactorily complete a background investigation, which includes but
is not limited to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) name and
fingerprint check and a 10-year background investigation. As part of the
investigation you will be asked to complete and submit a security
questionnaire (SF-86). The questionnaire will ask you questions regarding
educations, residences, past and current employers, police records,
financial situation, drug and alcohol use, etc. The background
investigation will consist of, among other things, a personal interview a
check for past arrest record, a credit check, and interviews of employers
and personal references. A history of problems in any of these areas may
result in your disqualification for this position. Keep in mind that
because we have a law enforcement mission, we set a very high standard for
our employees.
Motor Vehicle
Operation:
Border Patrol Agents
must possess a valid state's driver's license at the time of appointment.
Selective Service
Registration:
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959,
you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service
System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
Firearms:
Firearm proficiency is required for Border Patrol Agents and is part of
the training provided.
Mandatory Completion
of Basic Training:
Soon after entering on duty, Border Patrol Agent trainees are detailed to
the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Academy in Artesia, New Mexico for
approximately 19 weeks of intensive instruction in immigration and
nationality laws, Spanish, physical training, marksmanship, and other
courses. Failure to successfully complete any part of the basic training
program including Spanish and intensive physical training will result in
termination of employment. Post-Academy training will continue to prepare
trainees for the probationary examinations administered at 6 1/2 and 10
months after enter on duty. Each trainee must successfully complete a
2-year trial period.
Physical and
Environmental Conditions: BPA applicants must be physically able to perform
strenuous duties, under rigorous environmental conditions. Duties require
physical stamina in running long distances, climbing, jumping, etc.
withstanding exposure to extreme weather conditions for extended periods;
and standing/stooping for long periods of time. Irregular and protracted
hours of work are also required.
Overtime and Shift
Work:
This position requires regular and recurring overtime and shift work. You
must be willing and available to work overtime and rotating shifts. You
may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations.
Uniforms:
This position requires you to wear an officially approved uniform while in
a duty status.
Age Requirement:
In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law
enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for
selection before reaching their 40th birthday unless they presently or
have previously served in a Federal civilian law-enforcement-retirement
-covered position.
Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence:
If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic
violence, it is a felony for you to possess any firearm or ammunition. A
misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is define as any offense, which has
an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened
use of a deadly weapon, commit by a current or former domestic partner,
parent, or guardian of the victim. The term "convicted" does not include
anyone whose conviction has been expunged or set aside or who has received
a pardon. As a condition of employment, individuals selected for Border
Patrol Agent positions are required to carry weapons and ammunition as
part of their official duties. Therefore, an individual with a conviction
of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may not be employed in a
Border Patrol Agent position.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Proof of Veteran's Preference:
Applicants claiming veteran's preference will be required to provide proof
of preference after they are tentatively selected for the position of BPA.
Applicants who are still on active duty and therefore cannot obtain a DD
Form 214 can provide a statement of active service dates and a list of
medals and awards they have received in lieu of their DD Form
214.Additional information on veteran's preference may be found at the
following website
http://www.opm.gov/veterans/. Do not submit
your proof of veteran's preference (DD-214's) until they are requested
after you have been tentatively selected.
Written Test:
You must pass a written test. The written test consists of general
abilities and language testing. Since Border Patrol Agents must speak and
read Spanish, applicants are required to take either an artificial
language test designed to predict ability to learn a foreign language, or
a Spanish proficiency test designed to test their Spanish language
ability.
Basis of Rating:
To be eligible, applicants must have a score of at least 70 (excluding
veteran's preference points) on the written test.
Structured Oral
Interview:
As part of the basic qualifications
determination, candidates must appear before an oral interview panel and
demonstrate that they possess the abilities and other characteristics
important to Border Patrol Agent positions. Among these are the
competencies of judgment/decision-making, emotional maturity,
interpersonal skills, and cooperativeness/sensitivity to the needs of
others. The interview will be rated on a pass/fail basis.
Candidates must receive a "pass" in all areas in order to continue in the
hiring process. During the registration process for the written test,
applicants will be asked to choose one of 47 cities where they would like
to take the structured oral interview.
Drug
Testing:
All applicants for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis
to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. This position is
designated for testing for illegal drug use; incumbents are subject to
random testing.
Physical and Medical
Requirements
Binocular vision is
required. Uncorrected vision must test 20/100 or better in each eye.
Individualized assessments of each person's medical history, current
condition and medical qualifications will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Final consideration and medical determination may require additional
information and/or testing. If medical information is required beyond the
pre-placement examination, it must be provided at the applicant's expense
and in compliance with any time constraints in order to continue in the
pre-appointment process. The most common reasons for failing the
examination involve vision and hearing impairments. Monocular vision is
generally disqualifying.
The use of any
hearing aid to comply with the medical standards is unacceptable.
For additional
information on medical requirements, please visit our website at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/basic_requirements_for_bp.xml
Physical Fitness
Screening: Due to the strenuous nature of Border Patrol Agent duties and
associated training programs, fitness tests have been developed and will
be used to screen candidates for entry-level BPA positions. The fitness
tests include a: (1) push-up test (2) sit-up test, and (3) 5-minute
cardiovascular endurance step test.
For additional
information on the Fitness Screening, please visit our website at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/increase.xml
This
position may be subject to a pre-employment polygraph examination.
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