Given the unique geographical location of Texas the sheer size of the Lone Star State, Border Patrol Agent jobs are plentiful here.
South Texas includes the Laredo Border Patrol Sector and the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector, while West Texas is comprised on the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector and the Marfa Border Patrol Sector, all of which contains no less than 43 stations.
To obtain a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) job and become a Border Patrol Agent in Texas, candidates must be prepared to accomplish a number of goals:
1. Acquire a post-secondary education and vital work experience.
Because Border Patrol Agents are compensated upon hiring according to their professional experience and education, it benefits candidates to achieve a four-year degree and a number of years of experience in law enforcement before applying for a Border Patrol Agent job in Texas.
2. Meet all requirements for employment with the CBP.
To be considered for a Border Patrol Agent position with the CBP, you must first ensure that you meet the CBP’s basic requirements for employment, which include:
- U.S. citizen and U.S resident (of at least 3 years)
- A valid U.S. driver’s license
- Under the age of 40 at the time of hire (excluding Veterans or those with previous federal law enforcement experience)
- Passing a medical exam, a fitness test, a polygraph test, and a background check
- Pass a drug test and credit check
Individuals with a domestic violence conviction may not qualify for employment as a Border Patrol Agent with the CBP. Other factors that may prohibit an individual from gaining employment include past convictions or arrests and financial issues or unresolved debts.
3. Seek Texas Border Patrol Agent Job Vacancies in the CBP.
The best place to start is to identify current job vacancies for Border Patrol Agents in Texas. The Resource Center at USAJOBS.gov lists all available CBP jobs. All job listings include detailed information regarding job duties and requirements, so it is important to read this information carefully to ensure you qualify for the specific Border Patrol Agent position.
If you need additional guidance regarding what CBP Border Patrol Agent jobs are best for your specific educational background and experience, you can contact a CBP Recruiter in Texas.
If you live in the eastern part of Texas (Rio Grande Valley Sector), you can contact a recruiter at 1-800-863-9382 or rgvrecruitment@cbp.dhs.gov.
If you live in the northern section of Texas (Laredo Sector), you can contact a recruiter at 1-956-723-7630 or 1-956-723-1894.
If you live in the western section of Texas (Marfa Sector), you can contact a recruiter at 1-888-536-6204.
If you live in the central section of Texas (Del Rio Sector), you can contact a recruiter at 1-877-420-USBP or drtrecruiting@cpb.dhs.gov.
You can also find a number of career/recruiting events throughout the year in Texas. For specific dates and locations, you can view the CBP’s Outreach/Recruiting calendar.
4. Apply for the Border Patrol Agent job and submit all required documents.
In addition to completing the online application for employment and submitting all required documents, all candidates for Border Patrol Agent jobs with the CBP in Texas must pass an entrance exam, which is designed to assess three things: your logical reasoning skills; your previous work experience; and your Spanish language abilities. If you do not speak Spanish, you may take an artificial language test that is designed to test your willingness to learn a new language.
It is important to prepare for the entrance examination. The CBP has a number of study guides/preparation manuals on the CBP website on their website to help you do so.
5. Complete all pre-employment forms, tests, exams and other prerequisites.
If you successfully completed the application process and passed the entrance exam, you will be notified via email, at which point you can begin receiving updates and instructions through the Central Applicant Self-Service (CASS). The CASS system will provide you with all necessary information for completing the employment process for a Border Patrol Agent position in Texas. In particular, you must be prepared to take and pass two physical fitness exams, a thorough medical exam, and an oral exam.
Due to the strenuous nature of the physical fitness exams, it may benefit you to understand what to expect. The CBP has all fitness test requirements outlined on their website.
6. Complete law enforcement training at the CBP Border Patrol Academy.
Once you have successfully passed all pre-employment requirements through the CBP, you will receive word from the CBP and then receive a date to report to the CBP Border Patrol Academy, which is located in Artesia, New Mexico.
The Border Patrol Academy, which is 58 days long, consists of a law enforcement training program that includes driving, firearms, and law instruction. Anyone who is not fluent in Spanish must also successfully complete a 40-day Task-Based Language Training program.