Border Patrol Agent (Bortac Operator)

Customs and Border Protection • Swanton, VT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC Operator) is a primary law enforcement officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, Northeast Region, Swanton Special Operations Detachment, located in Swanton, Vermont. The role supports the prevention of illegal entry into the United States by land, water, or air; enforcement of criminal provisions of immigration and nationality laws; and apprehension of smugglers and people in the United States illegally.

As a BORTAC Operator, the agent responds to emergency situations and high-risk incidents, working to reduce the risk of loss of life or serious injury. Assignments include civil disturbances, hostage situations, high-risk warrant executions, tactical operations, reconnaissance and surveillance, civil emergencies and disasters, and search and rescue operations. The role requires advanced tactical capabilities across areas including weapons, self-defense, crowd control, aquatics, rappelling, land navigation, chemical control agents, hostage negotiations, building entries, emergency rescue, small-unit tactics, tracking, and airborne insertion.

This position is GS-12, with a listed salary range of $93,866 to $122,028. It requires successful completion of the BORTAC Selection and Training Course, Spanish proficiency, firearms qualifications, and the ability to meet medical and fitness standards. The position involves rotating shifts, possible daily overtime, regular overnight travel, operation of government vehicles, wearing an approved uniform, and obtaining a Secret or higher security clearance. Relocation expenses are authorized, but relocations are on hold pending funding; selected employees will be asked to document that they established a residence closer to the duty location within 90 days after their report date.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet the U.S. residency requirement of at least three of the last five years, subject to stated exceptions and details.
• Be proficient in Spanish, including speaking and reading.
• Successfully complete the BORTAC Selection and Training Course.
• Have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-11 level, 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.
• Meet the specialized law-enforcement occupational requirement, including ability to make arrests and exercise sound judgment in firearms use; interact courteously and tactfully 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 applicable eligibility requirements under the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended.
• Successfully complete the required medical screening and be medically and physically capable of performing the essential duties safely and efficiently.
• Pass required pre-employment processes, which may include a background investigation and polygraph examination; comply with drug-testing procedures.
• Meet the applicable age requirement for original appointment, subject to stated exceptions and waivers.
• Possess a valid, non-restricted driver's license and be able to operate a government-owned vehicle.
• Be willing and available to work rotating shifts and possible overtime, and to travel overnight regularly.
• Obtain a Secret or higher security clearance.
• Wear an officially approved uniform and comply with established grooming standards.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by 11/19/2026 if a current federal employee.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• All pre-employment processes are conducted in English.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an operator for BORTAC.
• 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 assignments, civil emergencies or disasters, and search and rescue operations.
• Prevent illegal entry into the United States by land, water, or air.
• Enforce criminal provisions of immigration and nationality laws.
• Seek out and apprehend smugglers and people who are in the United States illegally.
• Use advanced skills in weaponry, self-defense, crowd control, confrontation management, aquatics, rappelling, land navigation, chemical control agents, anti-terrorism tactics, hostage negotiations, building entries, emergency rescue procedures, small-unit tactics, tracking, and airborne insertion operations.
• Operate a government-owned vehicle and comply with uniform and grooming standards.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Authorized relocation expenses, subject to the stated funding hold and relocation process.

What This Job Offers

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