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Border Security Jobs in Spokane, WA (NOW HIRING)

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Border Security information

See Spokane, WA salary details

$28.8K

$44.5K

$59.7K

How much do border security jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for border security in Spokane, WA is $44,452.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,400.00 and $48,000.00 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 a background check, and complete specialized training at a federal or state law enforcement academy. Physical fitness, strong communication skills, and knowledge of immigration laws are also important, and some positions may require prior law enforcement experience or relevant certifications.

What cities near Spokane, WA are hiring for Border Security jobs?

Cities near Spokane, WA with the most Border Security job openings:

Infographic showing various Border Security job openings in Spokane, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,452 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

SUPERVISORY BORDER PATROL AGENT (INTELLIGENCE)

US Department of Homeland Security

Spokane, WA • On-site

$109K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 25 days ago


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

99th of 295 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Spokane Sector Headquarters, Targeting and Intelligence Division, located in Spokane, WA.
Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.Qualifications:You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Applying U.S. immigration, customs, and criminal laws to investigate complex border security cases, collect and analyze intelligence, and support successful criminal and administrative prosecutions;
  • Leading intelligence-driven enforcement operations, including developing all source collection strategies, directing threat and trend analysis within an area of responsibility, and producing integrated intelligence reporting and briefings for senior leadership;
  • Supervising or managing complex investigations of illegal alien smuggling or transnational criminal organizations, to include conducting interrogations of uncooperative subjects, coordinating evidence collection and review, and preparing cases for presentation to the U.S. Attorney's Office or other prosecutorial entities;
  • Using CBP and other law enforcement databases and systems to track arrivals and departures of persons, conveyances, and cargo across air, land, and sea environments, and to identify, target, and disrupt border security threats and criminal networks;
  • Conducting intensive, in depth interviews to detect deception, identify cultural or behavioral anomalies, and producing comprehensive written reports that support criminal and administrative investigations and inform operational decision-making.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrated the ability to: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate law enforcement action in light of applicable laws, court decisions, and sound law enforcement procedures; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.
Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b),5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a rigorous position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a rigorous position; and have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43). If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.
Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish).
Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.
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 08/14/2026.

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
Polygraph Examination: This is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.Education:This job does not have an education qualification requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003