BORDER PATROL AGENT (RESIDENT AGENT)

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Grand Forks Sector in the following locations:

• Bottineau Station
  
  • Washburn, ND
• Grand Marais Station
  
  • Ely, MN
  • Grand Marais, MN
• International Falls Station
  
  • Grand Rapids, MN
• Pembina Station
  
  • Grafton, ND
  • Langdon, ND
• Portal Station
  
  • Stanley, ND
• Warroad Station
  
  • Baudette, MN
  • Warroad, MN

Duties

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Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

This position will allow you to use your expertise to prevent illegal entry of aliens into the United States by land, water, or air; enforce criminal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Laws; and seek out and apprehend smugglers or aliens who are in the United States illegally. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to protect the homeland.

This position starts at a salary of $91,985.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $119,583.00 (GS-12, Step 10).

In this position, you will operate independently in remote areas to detect, interdict, investigate, and apprehend individuals and contraband attempting to illegally enter or transit the United States, while coordinating closely with local law enforcement. By enforcing immigration, customs, and related federal laws in high-risk, hard-to-reach areas, this position directly strengthens CBP's ability to secure the border, prevent terrorism, and protect national security.

As a Border Patrol Agent (Resident Agent), you will serve as a primary law enforcement officer (under 5 U.S.C. 8331 (6C) and 8412 (d)) and be responsible for performing a wide range of independent law enforcement and investigative duties to detect, interdict, and apprehend individuals and contraband in remote areas along the border. Typical duties will include:

• Enforcing immigration, customs, and related federal laws through sign cutting, surveillance, transportation checks, and other field operations to detect and apprehend violators.
• Conducting criminal and administrative investigations, including interviews, interrogations, evidence collection, case preparation, and testimony in court proceedings.
• Coordinating and participating in multi-agency task force operations, including preparing affidavits, executing warrants, and sharing intelligence with partner law enforcement entities.
• Utilizing complex technology systems and intelligence resources to identify trends, support operational planning, and enhance border security operations.
• Engaging in community outreach and liaison activities with local law enforcement and the public to support the Border Patrol mission in remote areas.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• You must be able to meet job-related medical and/or fitness standards

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Conducting immigration, customs, or contraband investigations by interviewing subjects, gathering evidence, writing reports, and testifying in court or hearings.
• Performing border enforcement operations (e.g., tracking, surveillance, transportation checks) that lead to the detection and arrest of individuals or the seizure of contraband.
• Preparing affidavits and other case paperwork for search or arrest warrants and working with prosecutors or task forces to support successful cases.
• Using law enforcement databases and technology (e.g., surveillance and communication systems) to develop leads, identify trends, and support operations.
• Building and maintaining working relationships with local, state, federal, and/or foreign law enforcement partners to coordinate operations and share information.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement:Specialized Experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrated the ability to: 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 matters; 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 procedures; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.

Rigorous Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a rigorous position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b), 5 USC 8412(d), 5 USC 8336(c). For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43).If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at [redacted].

Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish).

Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.

Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/13/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Polygraph Examination: This is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.

Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.

Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.

Age Requirement: 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.NOTE: CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age to 40 for original placement into a law enforcement position. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03, unless the below criteria applies, you must meet this age requirement.

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).

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Border Patrol Council - NBPC. For local chapter contact information see https://bpunion.org/about-nbpc/

Motor Vehicle Operation: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid, non-restricted driver's license is required.

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 on a daily basis 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.

Travel: Overnight travel may be required on a regular and recurring basis.

Uniform/Grooming Standards: This position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here, as established by the Border Patrol's Uniform and Grooming Standards Policy #IOP-5320-02A-UGSBPA. Please note that in accordance with these standards, tattoos and/or brandings on the head and face are not permitted. Obscene, racially/ethnically derogatory and/or gang tattoos or brandings shall not be visible.

Resident Agent Information:

• Grand Rapids, MN:Agents selected for the Grand Rapids, MN location will be expected to reside within 25 miles of the Resident Location unless otherwise approved by the Chief Patrol Agent. Resident Agents will be assigned a government owned vehicle (GOV) to respond from his/her resident post and will be subject to callouts during non-working hours.
• All Other Locations:Agents selected for all other locations listed will be expected to reside within 50 miles of the Resident Location unless otherwise approved by the Chief Patrol Agent. Resident Agents will be assigned a government owned vehicle (GOV) to respond from his/her resident post and will be subject to callouts during non-working hours.
• The standard fleet configuration for Grand Forks Sector (GFN) Resident Agents is a standard marked government-owned vehicle (GOV), subject to management discretion based on mission and operational requirements.

The Department of