Border Patrol Agent (Bortac Operator)

Customs and Border Protection • El Paso, TX

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC Operator) is a primary law enforcement officer with the U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations Group, National BORTAC Unit, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. The position is located in El Paso, Texas, and is responsible for preventing illegal entry into the United States by land, water, or air; enforcing criminal provisions of immigration and nationality laws; and locating and apprehending smugglers and people unlawfully present in the United States.

The BORTAC Operator responds to emergencies and high-risk incidents, taking steps to reduce the risk of death or serious injury to officers, victims, and bystanders. Work includes responding to civil disturbances, hostage situations, high-risk warrant executions, tactical operations, reconnaissance and surveillance assignments, and man-made or natural disasters. The position requires advanced tactical and operational capabilities, including weapons, self-defense, crowd control, confrontation management, aquatics, rappelling, land navigation, chemical control agents, anti-terrorism tactics, hostage negotiation, building entry, emergency rescue, small-unit tactics, tracking, and airborne insertion.

The role requires successful completion of the BORTAC Selection and Training Course, Spanish proficiency, firearms qualification, and the ability to meet medical and physical standards. The position involves rotating shifts, possible daily overtime, recurring overnight travel, and operation of government vehicles. A Secret security clearance is required. Relocation expenses are authorized, but moves are on hold pending funding; after reporting, employees must provide documentation within 90 days that they have established a residence closer to the duty location.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Proficiency in Spanish, including speaking and reading.
• Successful completion of the BORTAC Selection and Training Course.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including experience interpreting and enforcing immigration or comparable laws, performing intelligence, prosecution, investigation or anti-smuggling work, or other work of comparable difficulty related to Border Patrol operations.
• Specialized law enforcement or other responsible experience demonstrating the ability to make arrests and exercise sound judgment in firearms use; deal courteously and tactfully with individuals or groups in law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and take appropriate action under applicable laws and procedures; and develop and maintain a network of informants.
• Meet initial and continuing firearms qualifications and eligibility requirements under the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended by the Lautenberg Amendment.
• Successfully complete medical screening and meet job-related medical and physical fitness standards.
• Pass required pre-employment processes, including a background investigation and, if required, a polygraph examination.
• Obtain a Secret security clearance.
• Possess a valid, non-restricted driver's license and ability to operate a government-owned vehicle.
• Be willing and available to work rotating shifts and potentially rotate between assignments and duty locations.
• Be available for possible daily overtime and regular, recurring overnight travel.
• Meet applicable age requirements for original appointment to a primary law enforcement position, unless an exception applies.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by 11/05/2026 if a current federal employee.
• Wear an approved uniform and comply with established grooming standards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an Operator for BORTAC.
• Prevent illegal entry of aliens into the United States by land, water, or air.
• Enforce criminal provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Laws.
• Seek out and apprehend smugglers or aliens who are in the United States illegally.
• Resolve emergency situations and high-risk incidents while reducing the risk of loss of life or serious injury to officers, victims, or innocent third parties.
• Respond to civil disturbances, hostage situations, high-risk warrant executions, tactical operations and situations, reconnaissance and surveillance services, and civil emergencies, including man-made or natural disasters.
• Perform law enforcement work involving immigration or comparable laws, intelligence, prosecution, investigation, and anti-smuggling operations.
• Operate a government-owned vehicle as required.

Benefits

• Relocation expenses are authorized, subject to funding and applicable requirements.
• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Potential overtime compensation of up to an additional 25% of base pay under the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed