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Covert Agent Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

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Covert Agent information

See Arizona salary details

$20K

$61.7K

$104.8K

How much do covert agent jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for covert agent in Arizona is $61,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,100.00 and $71,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by covert agents in maintaining their cover identity during assignments?

Covert agents often face the challenge of seamlessly blending into their assigned environments while maintaining a credible cover story. This requires constant vigilance, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills to avoid raising suspicion among targets or the local population. Unexpected changes, such as being approached by local authorities or encountering someone familiar with their real identity, can demand quick thinking and calm under pressure. Additionally, covert agents must frequently communicate with their team using secure, discreet methods, which can be stressful and requires strict discipline and attention to detail.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a covert agent, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Covert Agent, you need a strong background in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and operational security, typically supported by advanced training and relevant government clearance. Familiarity with encrypted communications, surveillance technology, and specialized investigative tools is essential. Exceptional interpersonal skills, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm under pressure set outstanding covert agents apart. These competencies are critical for maintaining operational safety, effectively gathering intelligence, and successfully navigating high-risk, unpredictable environments.

What is a covert agent?

Covert agents are individuals who work secretly for government agencies or organizations to gather intelligence, conduct undercover investigations, or perform operations that require concealment of their identity and purpose. Their tasks often involve infiltrating groups, collecting confidential information, or conducting surveillance without revealing their affiliation. Covert agents play a crucial role in national security, law enforcement, and intelligence operations, working to prevent threats and gather information that would be otherwise inaccessible. Their work is highly sensitive and can involve significant personal risk, requiring specialized training, discretion, and adaptability.

What is the difference between Covert Agent vs Intelligence Analyst?

AspectCovert AgentIntelligence Analyst
Required CredentialsSecurity clearance, specialized trainingDegree in criminal justice, international relations, or related fields
Work EnvironmentField operations, undercover missionsOffice-based, data analysis, report writing
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, defense, intelligenceGovernment agencies, military, private sector

While both roles are vital to national security, a Covert Agent primarily conducts undercover operations in the field, whereas an Intelligence Analyst focuses on analyzing data and producing reports to support decision-making. Both require security clearances and work within government or defense sectors, but their daily tasks and environments differ significantly.

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Covert Agent jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Covert Agent job openings:
Infographic showing various Covert Agent job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,723 per year, or $29.7 per hour.

Border Patrol Agent - Experienced (GS11)

United States Customs and Border Protection

Fort Huachuca, AZ

$63K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 19 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

172nd of 844 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Border Patrol Agent (BPA) - Experienced (GL-9 GS-11)

NEW RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION INCENTIVES!

Check out these higher-salaried federal law enforcement opportunities with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Your current or prior law enforcement experience may qualify you for this career opportunity with the nation's premier federal agency charged with securing our borders and protecting our country.

You may qualify for these higher-graded Border Patrol Agent (BPA) employment opportunities if you have current or prior law enforcement experience. This experience could have been gained as part of a military police assignment or as a member of a state or local law enforcement organization. Look at the duties and responsibilities section below to see if you are interested in these federal law enforcement opportunities and review the qualifications section below to see if you are qualified.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE INCENTIVES – SEE SALARY SECTION BELOW

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Duty assignments available at the time of offer may include the Southwest Border, including prioritized locations.

U.S. Border Patrol determines duty assignments at the time of offer based on operational needs, which may or may not align with candidates’ first-choice preferences. Relocation may be required.

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) offers those interested in a career in law enforcement an opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America.

If you seek an exciting and rewarding job that provides excellent pay and exceptional federal benefits, now is the time to make your move. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hiring immediately for these full-time, career Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) opportunities.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary for newly appointed law enforcement Border Patrol Agents varies from:

Base Salary: GL-9/GS-11 $63,148 - $120,145 per year

Locality Pay: Varies by duty location.

Overtime Pay: Up to 25%

Duty location impacts pay rates; locality pay for federal law enforcement is higher in some locations than others. A fully trained BPA may be eligible for up to an additional 25% of base pay per the BPA Pay Reform Act of 2014. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression from GL-9 to GS-11 to GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in the lower grade level.

All Border Patrol Agents may select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health and insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan that is similar to traditional and ROTH 401(k) offerings.

*Recruitment Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents (as defined in 5 CFR 575.102) will be offered up to a $20,000 incentive. The first $10,000 will be paid upon successful completion of the Border Patrol Academy, with the remaining $10,000 awarded for accepting a prioritized location. Prioritized locations include Sierra Blanca, TX; Presidio, TX; Sanderson, TX; Comstock, TX; Lordsburg, NM; Freer, TX; Hebbronville, TX; Ajo, AZ.

*Retention Incentive* Newly appointed Border Patrol Agents may also qualify for up to $40,000 in additional incentives distributed over their first four years.

Duties and Responsibilities:

As a BPA, you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a BPA makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

Typical assignments include:

  • Detecting and questioning people suspected of violating immigration and customs laws and inspecting documents and possessions to determine citizenship or violations.
  • Preventing and apprehending aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the borders by maintaining surveillance from covert positions to include using infrared scopes during night operations.
  • Interpreting and following tracks, marks, and other physical evidence of illegal entry of persons or contraband.
  • Performing farm checks, building checks, traffic checks, city patrols, and transportation checks.
  • Patrolling the international boundary and coastal waterways using a variety of government assets such as vehicles, horses, vessels, watercraft, off-road vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles for the accomplishment of the USBP Mission.

Qualifications:

GL-9: You qualify for the GL-9 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

  • Performing physical searches of detained individuals, their vehicles, and their immediate surroundings for weapons, contraband, currency, and other evidence.
  • Apprehending, physically restraining, or working with law enforcement officials to identify or apprehend violators of state, federal, or immigration laws.
  • Proficient in the use of firearms, preparing investigative reports, serving court orders (e.g., warrants, subpoenas, etc.), and gathering evidence for criminal cases prosecuted through the court system.

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GS-11 grade level.

GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, with the authority granted by the state or government to enforce laws, make arrests, and investigate crimes, performing primary duties in an official law enforcement capacity such as:

  • Utilizing intelligence information to track illegal operations, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or contraband while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official.
  • Leading investigations of fraud, contraband, criminal activity, threats to our nation, and/or illegal operations to determine sources and patterns while serving as a state, federal, or military law enforcement official.
  • Apprehending violators of state, federal, or immigration laws by utilizing various forms of complex technology that include surveillance, detection, situation awareness systems, and/or communications equipment.

The above experience will be applied in connection with the following: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with people in a courteous manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions; or develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.

There are no education substitutions for the GL-9 or GS-11 grade-level Border Patrol Agent opportunities.

Other Requirements:

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency: You must have had primary U.S. residency (including protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

Age Restriction: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Border Patrol Agent position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-03. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).

Veterans’ Preference: You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.

Formal Training: After you are hired, you will be detailed to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico, for approximately six (6) months of intensive instruction in immigration and nationality laws, law enforcement, and USBP-specific operations, driver training, physical techniques, firearms, and other courses. Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish, as well as English. Border Patrol Agents will be provided training to become proficient in the Spanish language at the Academy.

How to Apply:

Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network registration page. For Position of Interest, select Border Patrol Agent, and then complete the pre-screening questions.

You’ll then receive a link(s) to the BPA Job Opening Announcements (JOAs) on USAJOBS, the federal government’s official employment site, to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opportunity announcement and follow all instructions in the application process, including items (resume, transcripts, etc.) to submit. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the BPA Entrance Exam.

If you have questions about the application process, contact a recruiter through the U.S. Border Patrol page: careers.cbp.gov/s/usbp.

NOTE: As a subscriber to the CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails with information about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with CBP.


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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