Usbp...

[Falco]

Can anyone tell me whether USBP has any openings? I don't see anything on OPM. Maybe they're not hiring at the moment.

[Falco]

AGENCY:

That was very helpful. I haven't been able to get the OPM site to pull up any USBP vacancies. Weird, eh?

Anyway, have you applied with them? Can you comment on the language portion of the test? I speak limited Spanish, but it's not great at all.

Thanks again.

[wildcat29]

Falco,
I am currently in the hiring process with the BP, and from everything I have heard unless you have strong spanish skills you are better off taking the ALT.

wildcat29

[Falco]

AGENT:

How hard is the alt language test? Are there any study guides available? In fact, how hard is the test overall compared to the TEA which I'll also be taking soon?

Thanks.

[bpawatts]

Run a search of your questions on delphi.com. This site is very comprehensive with BP hire practices and requirements. Good Luck!

Oh and your comment about running was right on.

[bushmasta]

A sample test will be sent to you, that will have a example of what the ALT test is. It gives a very good idea what is required. It is pretty easy, I've heard that it has even become easier as of last year.

As far as know knowing spanish at end of academy, better to say you can commincate to accomplish your job. Your conversational spanish will be lacking, but you will have a strong grasp of the grammer and how the language works.

[toolman23]

I took the BP exam a few weeks back.
The ALT portion of the exam is no joke.I took spanish in grades 7-12 and honestly wondered if I should have taken the Spanish Proficiency exam.
Read over the booklet they send.It will help you get an idea of how they set up the usage of their "alternative language."

Good luck

[KRALEY]

There is a GREAT website which links to a GREAT GREAT forum board for the BP. Go to honorfirst.com and you will find everything you could ask for regarding border patrol. If you find a site like this for FBI let me know!

[flymetoFLETC]

IMO, the BP will continue to have openings well into the future. We are losing agents left and right for a myriad of reasons. Granted, it is a good "foot in the door," but job satisfaction is station dependent and decent stations are few and far between these days.

I've been in "The Patrol" for just over a year. I knew about a week into field training that the job was not at all what I was expecting...and I was supposedly assigned to one of the "better stations." If the mass exodus continues, someone MIGHT realize things need to be reevaluated. I don't see this happening anytime in the near future. It will take a major s**t storm to clean out the webs between the ears of upper level management. Who knows, maybe this storm has come in the form of the Air Marshall program...

Before you get too wrapped up in the Patrol and the application process, search these forums and the hiring board on delphi.com to uncover as much information as you can. I wish everyone luck in the process. Don't get too worked up about the exam. It's not too bad.

[Eyekon]

I am by no means fluent in Spanish but I have had a few college classes and practice the language on a daily basis in my current occupation. I was advised to try the Spanish test. I FAILED MISERABLY! TAKE THE ALT! The Spanish test is obviously for persons who speak the language fluently.
G$

[Falco]

Can I qualify for the GS-7 with the following qualifications:

Undergradutate in Accounting: GPA 3.8
Masters Degree in Accounting GPA: 3.6

I read the announcement and it sounded like they only wanted graudate education related to law enforcement, so then I said maybe I qualify under SAA. It would seem that one way or another I qualify for the GS-7.

Just curious.

[KRALEY]

Yes you qualify for GS-7. You will be moved up to GS-9 after your first year in patrol (the academy's 5 months counts). With all of the mandatory overtime, you will probably clear about $50,000 the first year. Pretty good money! But, as they say in real estate...LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

You will be placed on the border for at least your first three years. You do get to say where you prefer (AZ, NM, TX or CA) and they seem to be honoring most people's first choices these days.

[toolman23]

flymeto,
On average how long does it take to get an NOR from the BPA exam??
A friend of mine took the exam with me and another one for an INS Criminal Investigator position.He got the results back from the CI already but neither of us have recieved word on the BPA.Whomever it was that called him said they notify if you passed earlier than if you failed.

Any info.
Thanks

[wildcat29]

toolman,
If memory serves.........I got my results in about 3 weeks.

goodluck
wildcat29

p.s.
Can any agents give me a list of the "preferable" duty locations in AZ,NM

much appreciated