Criminal Jusitce Careers - Border Patrol Agent
During the on-line registration process for the written test, candidates will be asked to enter one geographic location code where they would prefer employment. Employment offers will be made based on CBP mission related needs. Applicants must be willing to accept a position at any location. If you turn down a job offer, your name may be removed from consideration for any location. The codes are:
991 South Texas ââ¬â includes the Laredo Border Patrol Sector (Laredo (North and South), Freer, Hebbronville, Cotulla and Zapata) and the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector (Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Edinburg, Falfurrias, Fort Brown, Harlingen, Hildalgo, Kingsville, Mercedes, Mission and Rio Grande City)
992 West Texas/New Mexico ââ¬â includes the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector (Del Rio, Bracketville, Carrizo Springs, Comstock, Eagle Pass and Ulvalde), El Paso Border Patrol Sector (El Paso, Alamogordo, Fabens, Fort Hancock, Ysleta, TX and Las Cruces, Deming, Lordsburg, Truth or Consequences, NM) and the Marfa Border Patrol Sector (Marfa, Alpine, Fort Stockton, Presidio, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca and Van Horn)
993 California - includes the El Centro Border Patrol Sector (Calexico, El Centro, Indio and Riverside) and the San Diego Border Patrol Sector (Brown Field, Campo, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Imperial Beach, San Clemente, Temecula, Boulevard and San Marcos)
994 Arizona ââ¬â includes the Tucson Border Patrol Sector (Tucson, Ajo, Casa Grande, Douglas, Naco, Nogales, Sonoita and Willcox) and the Yuma Border Patrol Sector (Yuma, Wellton and Blythe, CA)
What types of positions are being filled? Border Patrol Agent positions are full-time positions filled under the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP). The Federal Career Intern Program is a program that helps federal agencies recruit talented individuals for entry-level government positions. Federal Career Intern Program appointments are designed with a 2-year internship, during which time you will be learning the job and the organization, attending formal training programs and developing your skills. If your performance and conduct are satisfactory, your appointment will be made permanent after the 2-year internship. The Federal Career Intern Program is an ââ¬Åexcepted serviceââ¬Â appointing authority.
Annual increases in salary
Attractive overtime compensation ââ¬â Border Patrol Agents can earn a substantial amount in overtime per year, up to 25% of basic salary.
Federal Law Enforcement Retirement Coverage (12(d)) ââ¬â Border Patrol Agents are covered under the provisions of both the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the ââ¬Å12(d)ââ¬Â law enforcement retirement benefit. Law enforcement employees may voluntarily retire at any age after completing 25 years of service, or at age 50 or older with 20 years of service. The mandatory retirement age is 57 with 20 years of service, however, employees could work beyond age 57 until they meet the combination of age and service requirements to retire under law enforcement provisions.
Uniform allowance ââ¬â Border Patrol Agents receive a uniform allowance to offset the cost of purchasing the required BPA uniform.
Generous benefits package ââ¬â Included are personal leave days for vacation, illness and family care; a wide range of health insurance programs, life insurance; long term care insurance; flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket medical expenses or the dependent care costs of a child or parent; and a fully portable retirement program that includes a Thrift Savings Plan (401k). For more information, go to www.opm.gov/
Summary of Border Patrol Agent Qualification Requirements
You may qualify for the BPA position based on education, experience, or a combination of both.
Experience Requirements for a GS-5 level: Applicants must have a substantial background of work experience of which at least one year must have been comparable in level of difficulty and responsibility to grade GS-4 in the Federal service. This type of experience must demonstrate the ability to do all three of the following:
a) Take charge, make sound decisions, and maintain composure in stressful situations;
b) Learn law enforcement regulations, methods, and techniques through classroom training and /or on-the-job instruction;
c) Gather factual information through questioning, observation, and examination of documents and records.
Experience Requirements for a GS-7 level: Applicants must have one year of law enforcement experience comparable in level of difficulty and responsibility. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to do all four of the following:
a) Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms;
b) Deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters;
c) 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 matters;
d) Develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.
The grade level will be determined based on the information provided in your application. If you are offered and accept a position as a BPA at the GS-5 level, the grade level cannot be changed once you have entered on duty.
Education: If applicants do not have the work experience described above, 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree, or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college can be substituted and is fully qualifying for the GS-5 level. For the GS-7 level, one full year of graduate education in law or in a field related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, police science, etc.) is qualifying, or meeting the provisions of Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) (See http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp for information on SAA). Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable for qualification requirements unless it has been evaluated by a private foreign educational credential evaluation service. (See www.naces.org/members.htm for a list of organizations that provide this evaluation service).
Combining qualifying experience and education:
If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone, you may be able to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education.
For more information on BPA Qualification Requirements, please visit our website at:
www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/basic_requirements_for_bp.xml
Additional Qualification Requirements
Citizenship/Residency Requirement: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants other than current CBP employees. If you are not a current CBP employee, CBP requires that for the three (3) years prior to filing an application for employment, individuals must meet one or more of the following primary residence criteria:
a) Applicant resided in the United States or its protectorates or territories (short trips abroad, such as vacations, will not necessarily disqualify an applicant); or
b) Applicant worked for the U.S. government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or
c) Applicant was a dependent of a U.S. federal or military employee serving overseas.
Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday unless they presently serve or have previously served in a Federal civilian law-enforcement- retirement-covered position.
Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence: If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, it is a felony for you to possess any firearm or ammunition. A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is defined as any offense, which has as an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian of the victim. The term "convicted" does not include anyone whose conviction has been expunged or set aside or who has received a pardon. As a condition of employment, individuals selected for Border Patrol Agent positions are required to carry weapons and ammunition as part of their official duties. Therefore, an individual with a conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may not be employed in a Border Patrol Agent position.
Motor Vehicle Operation: Border Patrol Agents must possess a valid state driver's license at the time of appointment.
Proof of Veteran's Preference: Applicants claiming veteran's preference will be required to provide proof of preference after they are tentatively selected for the position of BPA. Applicants who are still on active duty and therefore cannot obtain a DD Form 214 can provide a statement of active service dates and a list of medals and awards they have received in lieu of their DD Form 214. To find out if you are preference eligible, we suggest you go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website www.naces.org/members.htm Additional information on veteran's preference may be found at the following website www.opm.gov/veterans/.
Selective Service Registration: Prior to appointment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
Written Test: You must pass a written test. The written test consists of general abilities and language testing. Since Border Patrol Agents must speak and read Spanish, applicants are required to take either an artificial language test designed to predict ability to learn a foreign language, or a Spanish proficiency test designed to test their Spanish language ability.
Structured Oral Interview: As part of the basic qualifications determination, candidates must appear before an oral interview panel and demonstrate that they possess the abilities and other characteristics important to Border Patrol Agent positions. Among these are the competencies of judgment/decision-making, emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, and cooperativeness/sensitivity to the needs of others. The interview will be rated on a pass/fail basis. Candidates must receive a ââ¬Åpassââ¬Â in all areas in order to continue in the hiring process. During the registration process for the written test, applicants will be asked to choose one of 47 cities where they would like to take the structured oral interview.
Pre-employment Requirements
If selected as a BPA, you will be required to successfully complete the following pre-employment requirements:
Background Investigation: Prior to appointment, tentative selectees must undergo and satisfactorily complete a background investigation, which includes but is not limited to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) name and fingerprint check and a 10-year background investigation. As part of the investigation you will be asked to complete and submit a security questionnaire (SF-86). The questionnaire will ask questions regarding education, residences, past and current employers, police records, financial situation, drug and alcohol usage, etc. The background investigation will consist of, among other things, a personal interview, a check for past arrest records, a credit check, and interviews of employers and personal references.
Drug Testing: All applicants for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. This position is designated for testing for illegal drug use; incumbents are subject to random testing.
Physical and Medical Requirements: BPA applicants must be physically able to perform strenuous duties, under rigorous environmental conditions. Duties require physical stamina in running long distances, climbing, jumping, etc., withstanding exposure to extreme weather conditions for extended periods; and standing/stooping for long periods of time. Irregular and protracted hours of work are also required.
Binocular vision is required. Uncorrected vision must test 20/100 or better in each eye. Individualized assessments of each person's medical history, current condition and medical qualifications will be made on a case-by-case basis. Final consideration and medical determination may require additional information and/or testing. If medical information is required beyond the pre-placement examination, it must be provided at the applicant's expense and in compliance with any time constraints in order to continue in the pre-appointment process. The most common reasons for failing the examination involve vision and hearing impairments. Monocular vision is generally disqualifying.
The use of any hearing aid to comply with the medical standards is unacceptable.
For additional information on medical requirements, please visit our website at:
www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/basic_requirements_for_bp.xml
Physical Fitness Screening: Due to the strenuous nature of Border Patrol Agent duties and associated training programs, fitness tests have been developed and will be used to screen candidates for entry level BPA positions. The fitness tests include a: (1) push-up test (2) sit-up test, and (3) 5-minute cardiovascular endurance step test. For additional information on the Fitness Screening, please visit our website at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/increase.xml
This position may be subject to a pre-employment polygraph examination.
Conditions of Employment
Firearms: Firearms proficiency is required for Border Patrol Agents and is part of the training provided.
Mandatory Completion of Basic Training: Soon after entering on duty, Border Patrol Agent trainees are detailed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately 19 weeks of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, Spanish, physical training, marksmanship, and other courses. Failure to successfully complete any part of the basic training program including Spanish and intensive physical training will result in termination of employment. Post-Academy training will continue to prepare trainees for the probationary examinations administered at 6-1/2 and 10 months after entry on duty. Each trainee must successfully complete a 2-year trial period.
Overtime: Border Patrol Agents are required to work long and irregular hours, including weekends and holidays. Overtime is compensated at a higher pay level than regular work hours.
Travel: Border Patrol Agents may be required to perform some travel, in addition to the initial basic and other mandatory training that includes work on operational details away from home for extended periods of 35 days or more.
Travel to Initial Duty Location/Minimum Tour of Duty: Selectees are required to pay all relocation expenses to the initial duty location. Travel expenses for training will be at agency expense.
Additional Information: For additional information on conditions of employment, please visit our website at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/basic_requirements_for_bp.xml
Border Patrol Agent Hiring Process
Step 1 ââ¬â Apply by Internet. You must register for the written test for the Border Patrol Agent position during the open period. You must register for the written test online on the Internet at https://cbpmhc.hr-services.org/BPA/ The website address is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week during the open period. Based on your responses to the questions, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will determine if you meet the basic qualifications for the BPA position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be scheduled for the written test.
Step 2 ââ¬â Written Test. Scheduling of the written test is done during the on-line registration process. As soon as you have registered and been scheduled for the written test, you will be able to print your test admission notice which will contain the date, location, and time for the written test. This admission notice will also include the contact information for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If you are unable to print your test admission notice, instructions will be provided online for requesting that a copy be mailed to you. If you are unable to attend your scheduled test date and you are unable to reschedule your test date with OPM, you will need to wait for the next BPA open period and re-register.
Compressed Testing Fpr Border Patrol Agent
For those of you who register to take the written test at a compressed testing location, CBP, in cooperation with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), will be utilizing a special process that will require approximately 8 hours of your time on the day of your test. Compressed testing will be conducted in San Diego, California; San Antonio, Texas; El Paso, Texas; McAllen, Texas, Tucson, Arizona and New York, New York. The initial step in the process is the test itself. After completing the test, a Border Patrol Agent will present an orientation session about the Agent position. You will be given a copy of your test results (Notice of Results). If you successfully pass the written exam, you will be given a packet of forms to complete and mail to the Minneapolis Hiring Center, as well as a date (within two weeks of the examination date) for an Oral Board Interview. For additional information on the Oral Board Interview, see Step 4 ââ¬ÅStructured Oral Interviewââ¬Â located on the next page.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THE TEST ADMISSION NOTICE WITH YOU TO THE WRITTEN TEST For BORDER PATROL AGENT
We believe that proper test preparation is essential for the successful candidate and suggest that you take time to carefully read the study guide. If you want to get started, you may download the guide from our website at: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/study_guides/
The test itself takes about 4 1/2 hours and contains 3 sections ââ¬â Logical reasoning skills; Spanish language or, if you don't speak Spanish, an Artificial Language Test that predicts your ability to learn Spanish; and an assessment of job-related experiences and achievements. After you have taken the Border Patrol Agent test, you should receive a Notice of Results in the mail within 4-6 weeks following the test. This is your test score results.
Step 3 ââ¬â Selection Process. If you pass the written test, your name will be placed on an inventory. The ââ¬ÅNationwideââ¬Â inventory is maintained in veteran's preference score order. Referral for a position is dependent on the scores of the applicants that are available in the inventory when a list is issued. If you are selected, you will be sent a tentative selection package. That package will explain the further requirements for forms submission, the oral interview with a panel of Border Patrol Agents, medical and vision examination, fitness exam, drug test, background investigation, etc., which will need to be satisfactorily completed before a firm offer of employment can be made.
Step 4 ââ¬â Structured Oral Interview. A panel of Border Patrol Agents conduct the structured interview. As part of the basic qualifications determination, candidates must appear before an oral interview panel and demonstrate that they possess the abilities and other characteristics important to Border Patrol Agent positions. Among these are the competencies of judgment/decision-making, emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, and cooperativeness/sensitivity to the needs of others. The interview will be rated on a pass/fail basis. Candidates must receive a ââ¬Åpassââ¬Â in all areas in order to continue in the hiring process. During the registration process for the written test, applicants will be asked to choose one of 47 cities where they would like to take the structured oral interview.
Step 5 ââ¬â Pre-employment Process. In addition to completing Step 4, you must also undergo and successfully complete a drug test, medical examination, fitness exam and background investigation. These will be scheduled and completed as soon as possible. For additional information on the pre-employment process, please visit our website at:
www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/basic_requirements_for_bp.xml
Online registrations close at midnight Eastern Standard Time on 12/31/2006.