Protecting our Borders as a Border Patrol Officer

If you are considering careers in criminal justice, and are interested in protecting and defending our country, you may enjoy working as a border patrol officer. The United States Border Patrol helps keep people and contraband from entering our country illegally. These brave agents also work hard to keep our country safe from terrorism by stopping terrorists and their weapons before they can reach our soil.
 
Border patrol officers work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This new agency was created by the merger of:
  • INS Inspection Division
  • United States Border Patrol
  • U.S. Customs Division
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant and Animal Inspection Service.
 

Job Description

Border patrol agents can work shifts any time of day or night. These security officer jobs may involve work on land, sea or in the air at varied protection assignments. One of the most important duties of a border patrol officer is line watch. Line watch involves the detection, prevention and apprehension of smugglers, terrorists and undocumented aliens. By responding to aircraft sightings and electronic video sensor systems, following tracks and evidence, and physical surveillance from inconspicuous locations, border patrol officers keep our borders safe from dangerous people, substances and weapons. Other important responsibilities of border patrol officers include:
  • administrative duties
  • anti-smuggling activities
  • city patrol
  • farm and ranch checks
  • intelligence assignments
  • traffic checks
  • traffic observation
  • transportation checks.
 
As with many law enforcement jobs, protecting our borders can be dangerous. Almost 100 border patrol agents have died keeping our borders safe, and thousands have been wounded on the job. Courage is an important prerequisite for border control agents and most other jobs in criminal justice.

Salary Guide

Border patrol agents can be hired at various levels depending on education and experience. Some starting salaries for border patrol officers are:
  • Level GL-5: $36,658
  • Level GL-7: $41,729
  • Level GL-9: $46,542.
 
Opportunities for overtime increase actual earning potential at all levels, and after promotion the journeyman level (GS-11), earnings can average at about $70,000 including overtime. Agents also receive a $1,500 uniform allowance and a generous Federal Government benefits package.

Education, Training and Work Experience

Border patrol candidates go through a two year internship period to learn all necessary job skills. During this time, they must attend the Border Patrol Academy and pass each subject with a grade of at least 70 percent. In addition, all border patrol agents are required to learn Spanish if they do not already speak the language.
 
Education and job experience determine which job classification level a new border control officer is assigned. GL-5 agents, for example, need to show experience comparable to that of a GL-4, or demonstrate an ability to take charge and make decisions. A four-year college degree also qualifies candidates to enter at the GL-5 level. Some candidates are accepted as GL-5 employees through a combination of education and work experience.
 
To become a border patrol agent and protect the land of the free, criminal background checks and drug testing are necessary. Other requirements for border control agents include:
  • age under 40 at time of appointment
  • citizenship and residency of three years in the U.S.
  • medical exam
  • no convictions of domestic violence
  • physical fitness test
  • valid driver's license.
 

Career Advancement

Border patrol agents have plenty of opportunity for advancement in their careers. Regular promotions to higher level classifications provide continuing attractive salary increases. Supervisory positions are open to experienced border patrol agents on a competitive basis. These positions offer higher salaries in addition to a greater opportunity for leadership.

Related Associations and Groups

For more information on becoming a border patrol agent, you may want to contact:
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
 
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