Spring 2023 Virtual Career Expo

What to Expect

When you register, you’ll be asked to select an event entry time. Staggering entry times will help ensure CBP recruiters are available with minimal wait when you arrive. No matter which time you choose, you will be able to enter and view our live presentations.

Our event platform is available on mobile and desktop. For an optimal experience, we encourage you to:

• Ensure you have a stable and strong internet connection
• Avoid using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Close apps such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom that might conflict with the use of a microphone and camera during a chat

Prepare for our virtual recruiting event just as you would for an in-person event:

• Update your resume and upload it to your profile on the event platform after you complete your registration
• Learn about CBP and each of our law enforcement organizations at CBP.gov/careers
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions below, and prepare a list of questions to ask our recruiters

To help you prepare to be the most competitive candidate possible, we will hold different live information sessions throughout the day.

The Law Enforcement Opportunities session will include remarks from current Border Patrol Agents, Air and Marine Interdiction Agents, Customs and Border Protection Officers, and Special Agents from the Office of Professional Responsibility.

CBP's Hiring Center professional staff will present a session detailing the Hiring Process and will be available in chat booths throughout the day to answer questions about topics such as medical qualifications and background investigation process.

• Before the presentation, read more about these offices at their individual booths and make a list of questions to type into the discussion feed.
• To protect your own privacy, avoid asking questions specific to your application process during the group presentations. Instead, go to the individual topic booths and sign up for a one-on-one chat.

Register now! The event lobby is scheduled to open several days before the live event so you can browse videos, booth content, application links, FAQs, and other resources. But if you register by April 7, you'll be invited to enter the lobby even earlier!

Finally, stay in touch with CBP through our social media accounts:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

New to the Federal Hiring Process?

If you’re looking for a challenging career and an opportunity to serve with CBP, but you’re not sure where to find it, we can help! Visit our Find Your Calling booth to chat with professional staff who can assist.

Here are links to useful resources to help you prepare for the event:

• Federal Employment Eligibility
• How to Search for Jobs on USAJOBS
• General FAQs About Applying for CBP Jobs
• Applicant Resources
• Veteran Hiring at CBP

Looking for Entry-Level Opportunities?

CBP has opportunities for high school and college students as well recent college graduates. Get more information by clicking the links below. During the event, visit our Find Your Calling booth, and be sure to bring some questions!

• Student and Recent Graduates
• Law Enforcement Explorer Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the overall benefits of working at CBP?

Individuals can gain critical skills as a member of a high-energy, synergized team supporting CBP’s critical mission to protect America’s frontline.

What are the pay and benefits for law enforcement personnel?

CBP offers competitive pay and benefits. Click on the links below to learn more about the pay and benefits for each position.

• Border Patrol Agent
• CBP Officer
• Air Interdiction Agent
• Marine Interdiction Agent
• Criminal Investigator

Is there a minimum age or maximum age limit to work at CBP?

Generally, applicants for most federal jobs must be:

1. at least 18 years old, or 
2. at least 16 years old and have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or have completed a formal vocational training program; or have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

CBP law enforcement positions have a maximum entry age of 40. Exceptions are available for some veterans and those with prior law enforcement experience. Please review the job opportunity announcement (JOA) or contact CBP directly to find out specific information about the job of interest to you.

What is the application process for law enforcement opportunities?

All candidates must create a resume and submit an application through USAJOBS. A federal career resume is like a standard resume: both list skills, education, and experience. Visit USAJOBS for more information on how to build a federal resume.

• Border Patrol Agent Application Process
  • Border Patrol Agent Resume Tips
• CBP Officer Application Process
  • CBP Officer Resume Tips
• Air Interdiction Agent Application Process
• Marine Interdiction Agent Application Process
• Criminal Investigator Application Process

How long does the hiring process last, from the point of selection to onboarding?

The time to hire varies depending on the type of position, the background investigation required for the position, and the time it takes for the selectee and investigator to complete all required investigation materials.

Once the hiring process is complete, where is training held and how long does it occur?

Training will vary depending on the position. Most JOAs include information regarding formal training.

Training for law enforcement positions occurs at either the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, or the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico.

The CBPO position, for example, requires formal training as follows:

• You will complete paid pre-academy orientation for approximately 30 days at your home port prior to attending FLETC for approximately 17-19 weeks.
• Candidates selected for duty locations where they are required to be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish will be required to either pass a Spanish language proficiency examination or attend a 6-week long Spanish immersion class at FLETC.

What are the basic requirements to be selected as a candidate and hired for a CBP job opportunity?

Each position has its own unique requirements. Applicants must:

• Meet all qualification requirements for the position as listed on the JOA
• Male candidates born after 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service System
• Be a U.S. citizen who has successfully resided in the U.S. for the last three years (Residency Requirement Exceptions)
• Successfully pass a background investigation 

What are the specific steps that occur during CBP’s background investigation process?

• Applicants are required to fill out the Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP). Once submitted, a background investigation will be completed to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• The Background Investigation (BI) includes credit and criminal history checks, records checks to verify citizenship of family members, verification of date of birth, education, employment history and military history.
• Investigators will conduct interviews of individuals who know the candidate, and of any current or former spouse (divorced within the past 10 years).
• Residences will be confirmed, neighbors interviewed, and public records queried for information about bankruptcies, divorces and criminal or civil litigation.
• Additional interviews will be conducted, as needed, to resolve any inconsistencies or issues which have developed during the course of the investigation.

Would an individual with TS/SCI clearance be able to supplement that for the polygraph portion of the CBP application process?

CBP Law Enforcement positions require a polygraph. If you are a Veteran and have a current TS/SCI clearance, you may be eligible for a polygraph waiver. Applicants who are selected and meet this criterion will receive information to request a polygraph waiver in the Background Investigation package. CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam.

Are CBP employees required to learn a foreign language?

There is no requirement to be proficient in a language other than English, however, CBP certainly values employees who are language diverse. Some CBP law enforcement positions have requirements to learn the Spanish language as part of academy training. Candidates selected for these law enforcement positions are required to either pass a Spanish language proficiency examination or attend a six-week Spanish immersion class at FLETC.

What is the definition of “Direct Hire"?

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is granted by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to federal agencies for filling vacancies when a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates exists. For more information, visit OPM - Direct Hire.

How would a professional SCUBA certified diver become a diver at CBP?

CBP does not currently have any positions with requirements for SCUBA certification. However, applicants who have an interest in protecting our country’s borders by sea may want to explore CBP’s Marine Interdiction Agent position.

Does CBP require its candidates to surrender dual citizenship to be hired? If so, does this policy apply to interns?

No. Dual citizenship is a non-issue from a suitability standpoint (provided that the candidate is a citizen of the United States). If a security clearance is required, under the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, dual citizenship is not an automatic disqualifier, but it must be examined under Guideline C “Foreign Preference.”

Yes, this policy applies to interns.

Interested individuals may also access information at USAJOBS and/or the CBP Careers website, to explore positions associated with Air and Marine Operations (AMO), Office of Field Operations (OFO), United States Border Patrol (USBP) and Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). 

What Hiring Authorities does CBP utilize?

CBP employs a wide variety of hiring authorities including:

• Military Spouse Hiring Authority 
• 30% or More Disabled Veteran 
• Veterans Recruitment Appointment 
• Schedule A Hiring Authority and Letter 
• Delegating Examining Unit (DEU)

Where can potential applicants find information regarding webinars hosted by CBP?

CBP National Recruitment hosts regularly scheduled webinars for academic, veteran, and diverse communities. A calendar of events is available at CBP.gov.

What are the current Law Enforcement Career Opportunities?

Visit our Apply Now page for the most current announcements.