Border Patrol Agent
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Positions
Series and Grade
GL-1896- 5/7
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary focus of Border Patrol Agents is to work in tandem with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) partners to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States. Border Patrol Agents also detect and prevent the smuggling and unlawful entry of undocumented aliens into the United States and apprehend people found to be in violation of U.S. immigration laws. Additionally, due to the increase in drug smuggling operations, they are the primary drug-interdicting agents along the land borders.
One of the most important duties performed by Border Patrol Agents is known as line-watch, involving the detection and apprehension of undocumented aliens and their smugglers by maintaining surveillance from a covert position, pursuing leads, responding to electronic sensor alarms, utilizing infrared scopes during night operations, using low-light level television systems, sighting aircraft, and interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence. Border Patrol Agents also perform traffic checks, traffic observation, city patrol transportation checks, and other administrative, intelligence, and anti-smuggling activities. (See Additional Resources below for the Self-Assessment to determine if this position may be a good fit for you).
Duty Location:
Nationwide. All new agents are stationed along the U.S. Southwest Border with Mexico, primarily in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Requirements:
Pre-employment requirements consist of a written exam, thorough background investigation, medical examination, fitness test, and drug test. Forty is the maximum hiring age. (See Additional Resources below for exam preparation material).
Conditions:
Border Patrol Agents must be willing to work overtime and shift work under arduous conditions. They must qualify regularly with and carry firearms. They may be sent on temporary assignments on short notice and on permanent reassignments to any duty location. Border Patrol Agents are subject to random drug testing.
Training:
New hires must successfully complete approximately five months of paid training at the CBP Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, NM, on topics such as immigration and nationality laws, Spanish, physical training, and marksmanship. While in training, they will receive full pay and benefits.
Competencies:
The following table delineates the competency model for CBP Officer, Agriculture Specialist, and Border Patrol Agent Entry Level through Journey Level positions. For a list of TSA OLC courses relevant to each competency see Additional Resources below.
Entry through Journey-Level Critical Competencies
| Competency | Associated Skills |
| Thinking Skills | |
| Reasoning | |
| Decision Making | |
| Problem Solving | |
| Judgement | |
| Learning | |
| Reading | |
| Personal Characteristics | |
| Conscientiousness | |
| Integrity/Honesty | |
| Emotional Maturity | |
| Cooperativeness/Sensitivity to the Needs of Others | |
| Self-Presentation | |
| Flexibility | |
| Interacting with Others | |
| Writing | |
| Oral Communication/Listening | |
| Leadership | |
| Teaching Others | |
| Negotiating | |
| Work Management Skills | |
| Technology Application | |
| Organizational and Community Awareness | |
| Managing and Organizing Information | |
| Self-Management | |
| Managing Resources | |
| Managing Human Resources | |
| Planning and Evaluating | |
| Physical and Psychomotor Skills | |
| Eye-Hand Coordination | |
| Physical Strength and Agility | |
| Stamina |
Additional Resources:
Border Patrol Agent Self-Assessment Tool (PDF, 20KB)
Preparation Manual for U.S. Border Patrol Test (PDF, 465KB)
OLC Courses for:
Thinking Skills competency (PDF, 53KB)
Personal Characteristics competency (PDF, 87KB)
Interacting with Others competency (PDF, 80KB)
Work Management Skills competency (PDF, 128KB)
Physical and Psychomotor Skills competency (PDF, 28KB)
- Visit USAJOBS to see if this position is open and view other CBP positions.
