Border Patrol Agent Reinstatement Opportunity

Applications accepted August 21, 2023, through September 21, 2023 (11:59 p.m. EST).

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) is currently soliciting interested candidates for reinstatement to the following position:

Position/Series/Grade(s):  Border Patrol Agent, GS-1896-11 and GS-1896-12
Department: Department of Homeland Security
Agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Organization: U.S. Border Patrol
Location(s)*: The positions are with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol at the following locations:

• Big Bend Sector – Marfa, Presidio, Alpine, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca Van Horn and Fort Stockton, Texas
• Blaine Sector – Bellingham, Blaine, Port Angeles and Sumas, Wash.
• Buffalo Sector – Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Oswego, Rochester, Wellesley Island, N.Y. and Erie, Pa.
• Del Rio Sector – Eagle Pass North, Eagle Pass South, Comstock, Brackettville, Carrizo Springs, Del Rio, and Rocksprings, Texas
• Detroit – Detroit, Gibraltar, Maryville, and Saul Ste Marie, Mich. and Sandusky Bay, Ohio
• El Centro – Calexico, El Centro, and Indio, Calif.
• El Paso Sector – Las Cruces and Santa Tersa, Texas
• Grand Forks Sector – Bottineau, Pembina, Portal, N.D. and Duluth, Grand Marais, International Falls, and Warroad, Minn.
• Havre Sector – Havre, Malta, Plentywood, Scobey, St. Mary, and Sweetgrass, Mont.
• Houlton Sector – Calais, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Jackman, Rangeley, and Van Buren, Maine
• Laredo Sector – Laredo North, Laredo South, Laredo West, Hebbronville, Freer, and Zapata, Texas
• Miami Sector – Dania Beach, Jacksonville, Marathon, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach, Fla.
• New Orleans Sector – Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, New Orleans, La., and Gulfport, Miss. and Mobile, Ala.
• Ramey Sector – Ramey, Puerto Rico
• Rio Grande Valley Sector – Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Falfurrias, Harlingen, Kingsville, McAllen, Rio Grande, and Weslaco, Texas
• Spokane Sector – Colville, Curlew, Metaline Falls and Oroville, Wash., Eureka and Whitefish, Mont., Bonners Ferry, Idaho
• Swanton Sector - Beecher Falls, Swanton, Newport, Richford, Vt., and Burke, Champlain, Massena, Ogdensburg, N.Y.
• Tucson Sector – Ajo and Douglas, Ariz.
• Yuma – Wellton and Yuma, AZ and Bythe, Calif.

*Placement will be determined based on current vacancy and operational requirements.

Salary: Salary rates are based on the OPM  Salary Table 2023 Rest of United States (LEO)  and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection

Shift Work/Overtime: This position requires regular and recurring shift work. You must be willing and available to work rotating shifts. You may also be rotated between assignments and duty locations. You could be required to work overtime daily and will be compensated up to an additional 25% of your base pay in accordance with the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014.

Who May Apply:   

Former Border Patrol Agents:

• Former Border Patrol Agents, who have been separated from USBP.
• Must meet eligibility for reinstatement as defined by 5 CFR 315.401.
  •  eCFR:5 CFR 315.401 -- Reinstatement.
• Must have passed the Border Patrol Academy and post-Academy prior to leaving CBP.
• Must have successfully completed the requirements of a probationary or trial period.
• Must have satisfactory or pass performance appraisals during the last three years of federal employment.
• Must have been separated at the applicant’s choice with no disciplinary action taken within the last three years of CBP employment and with no disciplinary proceeding pending.
• Must have held a competitive permanent position with the Full Performance Level of GS-12.

Current Federal Employees:

• Former Border Patrol Agents, who are currently still employed with the Federal Government and do not have a break in service.

Retirees:

• Former Border Patrol Agents, who have retired from USBP.  If you are receiving a retirement annuity from OPM based on retiring with the Federal government, you may be considered for selection as a Reemployed Annuitant and your salary may be offset by the amount of your retirement annuity.
• Those interested should contact the sector of their choice to request information and process for applying to the Reemployed Annuitant Program. 

Duties:

Being a Border Patrol Agent makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include:

• Detecting, preventing, and apprehending undocumented noncitizens and smugglers of noncitizens at or near the land borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions;
• Responding to electronic sensor alarms;
• Interpreting and following tracks, marks and other physical evidence;
• Using infrared scopes during night operations;
• Responding to aircraft sighting and other anti-smuggling activities;
• Performing farm and ranch checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks;
• Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways; and
• Using a variety of government assets for the accomplishment of the USBP mission such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.

Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards as established by the Border Patrol's Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #07-09126. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head, face, neck, or hands are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible. All visible tattoos and/or brandings will be covered while performing the following volunteer duties: Recruiting, Public Affairs Officer, Oral Hiring Boards, International Liaison duties, Community Affairs, or judicial proceedings.

Requirements

Basic Eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen (Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service).
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Meet the maximum age of entry: Provisions of Public Laws 93-350 and 100-238 allow the imposition of a maximum age for initial appointment to a primary Law Enforcement Officer position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In accordance with DHS Management Directive 251-03, the "day before an individual's 37th birthday" is the maximum age for original appointment to a position as a primary law enforcement officer within DHS. The age requirement is necessary to ensure that you are able to complete the 20 years of applicable service for retirement.
  • NOTE: The CBP Commissioner has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age to 40 for original placement into a BPA position. You must meet this age requirement unless the below criterion applies: 
    • Creditable law enforcement officer service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), or creditable service covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(36) (as a Customs and Border Protection Officer) on or after July 6, 2008, may be applied toward the maximum age requirement. This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).
    • Veterans Preference Eligibility: To ensure compliance with statutes pertaining to the appointment of preference eligible veterans as determined by the Merit Systems Protection Board in its recent decision of Isabella v. Dept. of State, the maximum age for original appointment articulated above shall not apply to the hiring of individuals entitled to veteran's preference eligibility under 5 U.S.C. § 3312. You must submit proof of Veteran's Preference (DD-214 Member 4 Copy) at the time of application.
• Have resided in the U.S. for at least three of the last five years (Residency Requirement)
  • If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two (2) of the last five (5) years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
    • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military.
    • A dependent of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government.
    • Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, consultant, or an intern for the U.S. Government.
    • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university.
  • If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to the residency requirement.
• Be proficient in the Spanish language (able to speak and read in Spanish).
• Be eligible to carry a firearm.
• Be willing to travel; you will be required to travel frequently.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess the following:

One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that shows you have the skills necessary to interpret the laws and regulations of a broad range of federal, state, and local agencies relating to the admissibility of people and cargo into the U.S. and performed activities to prevent the entry of terrorists and instruments of terror, illegal drugs, and contraband, and undocumented noncitizens from entering the U.S.

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess the following:

One year of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that shows you have the skills necessary to interpret and enforce immigration or comparable laws, rules, and regulations, and to perform intelligence, prosecutions, investigations, and anti-smuggling, to identify operational problems, to devise solutions, to ensure compliance of enforcement and operational practices and to apprise management of deficiencies or noted problems.

Firearm Requirement: You will be required to carry a firearm while on duty. Anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922 (g) (9)). Candidates will be required to certify whether they have ever been convicted of such an offense.

Additional Information:

Former LEO applicants are required to meet all pre-employment requirements that are applicable for the position.

• Polygraph Examination: You will be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results to continue in the pre-employment process. For more information and videos about the polygraph process, visit the Polygraph Examination page.
• Background Investigation: You will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention in this position. For more information, visit the Background Investigation page and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The E-QIP.
• Interview: You may be required to pass a face-to-face structured interview.
• Medical/Physical Requirements: You must complete the medical screening process and be found to meet the medical standards for the position. If you do not meet the medical standards for the position, you may request a waiver of the medical standard by demonstrating with non-medical information that, with or without reasonable accommodation, you can safely perform the essential duties of the position.
• Drug Testing Requirements: You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the Agency's Drug-Free Workplace Program. Visit the  Random Drug Test page for more information.
• Physical Fitness Screening: You may be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please see Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program for additional information. This a 6-week program designed to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass CBP fitness test.
• Border Patrol Academy Basic Training: You will be required to attend basic training unless you have been separated for less than three years at the time of entry on duty.

Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the bargaining unit.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must submit an email to usbpreinstatement@cbp.dhs.gov with the following required documents:

• Resume – Include Work Experience, Education, Job-Related Training, Certificates, Licenses
• Copy of most recent Standard Form (SF)-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) that reflects the highest grade and tenure previously held.
• Cover Letter to include:
  • Applicant Full Name
  • Dates of Employment with USBP
  • Former title, grade, sector, and duty station
  • Reason for leaving the LEO position with CBP
  • Identify if Retired or Unemployed or
  • Current Employment:
    • Position title, grade if applicable, and duty location.
    • Name, address, and phone number for immediate supervisor.
  • Preferred Duty Location: List three locations, from the locations included in this posting, in order of preference.
  • References: Provide two names from each duty station, including at least one immediate supervisor while employed at each.

Failure to submit all required documents will disqualify the applicant from consideration.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy:

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace, or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations: When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete For a job; when an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to gain access to the workplace; and when an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to enjoy equal access to benefits and privileges of employment (e.g., details, trainings, office-sponsored events).

Point of Contact:

Questions may be directed to USBP Headquarters, Mission Support Directorate, Workforce Management by email at usbpreinstatement@cbp.dhs.gov