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Border Security Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

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Border Security information

See Florida salary details

$21.3K

$32.9K

$44.1K

How much do border security jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for border security in Florida is $32,853.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28,400.00 and $35,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is border security?

Border security refers to the measures and policies implemented by a country to monitor, regulate, and protect its borders from illegal activities such as unauthorized immigration, smuggling, human trafficking, and potential security threats. Border security professionals work at international borders, airports, and seaports to enforce laws, inspect goods and people, and prevent unlawful entry. Their role is crucial in maintaining national security, facilitating lawful trade and travel, and safeguarding the public.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a border security officer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Border Security Officer, you need physical fitness, attention to detail, strong observation skills, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent; additional law enforcement or military training is often preferred. Familiarity with surveillance systems, identification verification technology, and communication devices is crucial. Outstanding interpersonal skills, integrity, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help officers manage challenging interactions and emergencies. These skills and qualities are vital to effectively enforce laws, maintain national security, and ensure safe and lawful border crossings.

What are some common challenges faced by border security officers during their daily duties?

Border security officers often encounter challenges such as managing high volumes of travelers, identifying fraudulent documents, and responding to rapidly changing security threats. They must remain vigilant and adaptable while working in dynamic, high-pressure environments that may require long hours or shift work. Additionally, effective communication and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies are crucial for handling complex situations and ensuring the safety of all parties.

What is the difference between Border Security vs Customs Officer?

AspectBorder SecurityCustoms Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; security trainingHigh school diploma; customs and immigration training
Work EnvironmentBorder crossings, airports, portsCustoms stations, ports, airports
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, homeland securityCustoms agencies, border control
Common Search/ComparisonBorder Security vs Customs Officer

Border Security and Customs Officers both work in border control environments, but Border Security personnel focus on overall border protection, including preventing illegal crossings and threats. Customs Officers primarily handle customs inspections, tariffs, and import/export regulations. While their roles overlap in border areas, their specific responsibilities and training differ, making each role unique within border enforcement agencies.

How to be a border security agent?

To become a border security agent, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass physical fitness and background checks, and complete specialized training at a federal or state training academy. Relevant skills include observation, communication, and knowledge of immigration laws, with some positions requiring prior law enforcement experience or certifications. The job often involves working in various environments, including border crossings and patrols, with shifts that may include nights and weekends.

What cities in Florida are hiring for Border Security jobs?

Cities in Florida with the most Border Security job openings:

Infographic showing various Border Security job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,853 per year, or $15.8 per hour.

Intelligence Research Specialist

Customs and Border Protection

Pembroke Pines, FL • On-site, Remote

$95K - $123K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

169th of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Miami Sector, Sector Intelligence Unit, located in Pembroke Pines, FL.
Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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This position uses your knowledge and experience enabling coordinated and consistent operations under a unified intelligence framework when addressing current and emerging border security issues and threats.
This position starts at a salary of $95,326.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $123,927.00 (GS-12, Step 10) with promotion potential to $147,365.00 (GS-13 Step 10).
The Intelligence Research Specialist provides operational stakeholders with intelligence products that inform and enhance their ability to make strategic, operational, or tactical decisions in support of operations directed at threats to border security. Duties and responsibilities include:
  • Developing intelligence collection plans which support specific programs and activities, including the most complex and most difficult assignment.
  • Reviewing, processing, and evaluating intelligence information from a variety of sources, using creative methodology for unusual problems which do not appear to be susceptible to treatment by accepted methods.
  • Collecting and analyzing intelligence data from a variety of sources to develop trends, patterns profiles, estimates and studies.
  • Preparing preliminary and finished intelligence products and disseminating the products to the appropriate officials.
  • Participating in liaison activities and short term/long term or broad-scope projects as required.

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
  • All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation
  • CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
  • As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
  • DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
  • Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications
Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Researching, reviewing, and evaluating a high volume of classified, sensitive, open-sourced intelligence.
  • Preparing incident and situation reports and conducting briefings.
  • Preparing intelligence products based on analysis and evaluation of current intelligence information.
  • Designing new or improving existing intelligence products.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must:
  • Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 08/20/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
  • Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
  • A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
  • Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
  • Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.
Education
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
Additional information
Security Clearance: This position requires obtaining and maintaining a TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS/SCI) national security clearance. This includes current employees.
Training: This position has a training requirement to attend and successfully complete Intelligence Enterprise career role training pursuant to mandatory training policies in a paid status. The location will be determined at the time of training. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

U.S. Customs and Border Protection serves and protects America with a workforce of more than 60,000 law enforcement and support professionals. We're united by our mission to guard our borders from threats and illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003