🟢 Status: OPEN — CBP Re-Posts Continuously | El Paso, TX (BORTAC HQ) | Multiple Sectors Nationwide | Source: USAJOBS.gov
Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC Operator) Jobs 2026 — CBP Special Operations | GS-12 | $97K–$127K + 25% LEAP | Apply USAJOBS
If you are already a Border Patrol Agent and want to take your career to the next level, the Border Patrol Tactical Unit — known as BORTAC — is one of the most elite and demanding opportunities within U.S. Customs and Border Protection. BORTAC is the U.S. Border Patrol’s equivalent of a SWAT team: a specially trained, rapid-response tactical force deployed to the most high-risk border security and counternarcotics operations in the country and abroad. BORTAC Operators earn GS-12 pay — $97,964 to $127,356 per year — on top of the 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) supplement, making total compensation well above $100,000 annually.
This position is a Voluntary Reassignment Opportunity open to current U.S. Border Patrol GS-1896 employees at the GS-12 level (or GS-13 supervisors willing to take a voluntary change to lower grade). If you meet the grade requirement and are ready for high-intensity operations, this is one of the most rewarding tactical careers in federal law enforcement. CBP posts BORTAC Operator positions on a rolling basis — check USAJOBS regularly for the latest announcements.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC Operator) |
| Agency | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| Department | Department of Homeland Security (DHS) |
| Unit | U.S. Border Patrol, Special Operations Group — BORTAC |
| Job Series | GS-1896 Border Patrol Enforcement Series |
| Location | El Paso, TX (primary HQ); deployments nationwide and internationally |
| Work Schedule | Full-Time; irregular hours, on-call deployments |
| Appointment Type | Permanent — Competitive Service (Voluntary Reassignment) |
| Pay Scale & Grade | GS-12 |
| Salary Range | $97,964 – $127,356 per year (base) |
| LEAP (25% Supplement) | Adds ~$24,491 – $31,839/yr on top of base salary |
| Relocation Benefit | GSA VRP Lump Sum relocation authorized |
| Who May Apply | Current U.S. Border Patrol GS-1896-12 employees (or GS-13 SBPA/BPAs willing to take voluntary change to lower grade) |
| Security Clearance | Top Secret |
| Drug Test | Required |
| Physical Fitness Test | Required — rigorous BORTAC selection course |
| Apply Now | Click Here to Apply on USAJOBS |
About the BORTAC Role
BORTAC — the Border Patrol Tactical Unit — was established in 1984 as the U.S. Border Patrol’s primary tactical response unit. It operates under the Special Operations Group (SOG) and is tasked with the most complex and dangerous law enforcement operations that regular Border Patrol operations cannot address. BORTAC agents conduct anti-smuggling operations, counternarcotics interdiction, high-risk warrant service, riot response, and special deployments at the request of federal, state, and international partners.
Unlike routine Border Patrol work, BORTAC Operators are frequently deployed away from their home sector — domestically and internationally — on missions that can last days to weeks. Operators must be experts in a wide range of tactical skills including breaching, airborne insertion, maritime operations, crisis negotiation support, and advanced weaponry. The selection course is grueling by design: only the most physically and mentally capable agents earn the BORTAC beret.
In 2026, BORTAC has been heavily deployed to high-pressure border sectors in Texas, Arizona, and California as part of expanded DHS counternarcotics and anti-trafficking operations.
“BORTAC provides the Department of Homeland Security with a highly trained and specially equipped tactical unit for specialized rapid response or deliberate deployments to law enforcement situations and intelligence-based threats requiring special tactics, techniques, and procedures in defense of our national security.” — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Execute high-risk tactical law enforcement operations including warrant service, arrests, and interdictions
- Conduct airborne, maritime, and land-based insertion operations in remote and hostile environments
- Perform anti-smuggling and counternarcotics operations in partnership with DEA, ATF, and international partners
- Respond rapidly as part of a national or international tactical deployment team
- Employ advanced enforcement weaponry including less-lethal and specialty munitions systems
- Apply crowd control, confrontation management, and emergency rescue procedures
- Navigate complex terrain using land navigation, GPS, and map-reading skills
- Enforce immigration and customs laws in high-risk environments where standard enforcement is insufficient
- Prepare detailed after-action reports and intelligence documentation following operations
- Train and mentor other Border Patrol Agents in tactical skills and SOG doctrine
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Status | Must be a current GS-1896-12 Border Patrol Agent OR a GS-13+ SBPA/BPA willing to voluntary change to lower grade |
| Citizenship | U.S. Citizen |
| Experience | 1 year specialized experience at GS-11 level: interpreting and enforcing immigration or comparable law |
| BORTAC Knowledge | Advanced enforcement weaponry, self-defense tactics, crowd control, land navigation, emergency rescue, airborne insertion |
| Physical Fitness | Must pass rigorous BORTAC selection course |
| Security Clearance | Top Secret clearance (active or obtainable) |
| Drug Test | Required pre-employment and random during service |
| Mobility Agreement | Must sign mobility agreement — deployments are frequent and unpredictable |
Salary by Grade — GS-12 (with LEAP)
| Grade | Base Salary | + 25% LEAP | Total Annual Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $97,964 | $24,491 | ~$122,455 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $107,084 | $26,771 | ~$133,855 |
| GS-12 Step 10 | $127,356 | $31,839 | ~$159,195 |
💡 Note: Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is a 25% pay supplement added on top of your GS base salary. It compensates for unscheduled overtime and is standard for all Border Patrol Agents. Locality pay adjustments also apply based on your assigned sector location, and can increase your total compensation further.
Salary & Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $97,964 – $127,356/yr (GS-12) |
| LEAP (25%) | ~$24K–$32K additional per year |
| Relocation | GSA VRP Lump Sum relocation benefit authorized |
| Annual Leave | 26 days vacation + 13 sick days/year |
| Federal Holidays | 11 paid federal holidays |
| Health Insurance | FEHB — government covers ~70% of premiums |
| Dental & Vision | FEDVIP |
| Retirement | Law Enforcement FERS — retire at age 50 with 20 years of service |
| TSP (401k) | 5% government match |
| Paid Parental Leave | 12 weeks |
| Life Insurance | FEGLI |
| Tactical Training | Paid advanced tactical, weapons, and specialty training |
How to Apply
- Confirm you are a current GS-1896-12 Border Patrol Agent (or GS-13+ willing to accept voluntary lower grade)
- Log in to your existing USAJOBS.gov account
- Navigate to the BORTAC Operator announcement and read it in full
- Prepare your federal resume highlighting: tactical experience, weapons qualifications, physical fitness history, and any special operations or specialized law enforcement duties
- Gather and upload all required documents: resume, SF-50 (confirming GS-12 status), performance appraisals
- Complete the online assessment questionnaire — be specific and honest about your tactical experience
- Submit your application before the closing date (CBP re-posts these regularly — monitor USAJOBS for the latest announcement)
- If selected, prepare for the BORTAC Selection Course — one of the most physically demanding selection processes in federal law enforcement
⚠️ Important: BORTAC positions are Voluntary Reassignment Opportunities — they are not entry-level. You must already be a credentialed Border Patrol Agent at the GS-12 grade. Check USAJOBS regularly for the latest open announcements, as CBP re-posts these on a rolling basis.
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans who are already Border Patrol Agents may claim 5-point or 10-point preference in competitive promotions where applicable. Military experience in Special Forces, Army Rangers, Marine Recon, Navy SEALs, or other tactical units is highly valued for BORTAC selection — not just for preference points, but because the tactical skills transfer directly. Veterans transitioning into Border Patrol should first apply for the entry-level Border Patrol Agent position and work their way to GS-12 before applying for BORTAC.
About U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States, with over 60,000 employees and a budget exceeding $18 billion. The U.S. Border Patrol — CBP’s uniformed law enforcement arm — patrols 1,954 miles of US-Mexico border and 5,525 miles of US-Canada border. Within Border Patrol, the Special Operations Group (which houses BORTAC) represents the most elite tactical capability in the agency, trained and equipped to handle threats that exceed the capacity of regular enforcement operations.
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at usajobs.gov/job/869857300. We are not affiliated with CBP, DHS, or any US government agency.
Sources
- USAJOBS — Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC Operator) Announcement
- CBP Careers — U.S. Border Patrol Career Path
- OPM — 2026 General Schedule Pay Tables
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