Four-Day Federal Hiring Event in Four Kentucky Cities
Recruiters on a Mission to Increase Diversity with More Women and Minority Applicants
(Friday, July 11, 2008)
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Washington - U.S. Border Patrol Minority Recruitment Strike Team agents will conduct an intensive four-day recruiting event throughout Kentucky from Wednesday, July 16, to Saturday, July 20, in the cities of Hopkinsville, Louisville, Lexington, and Owensboro.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the largest uniformed law enforcement agency in the country, is searching for qualified men and women throughout the Kentucky region to join the U.S. Border Patrol agent ranks.
In response to a June 2006 presidential mandate, CBP launched a recruitment effort to double the number of Border Patrol agents by hiring 6,000 additional agents by the end of 2008.
“One of the key components of our recruitment strategy is to diversify the agent ranks by increasing the number of women and minorities who apply for Border Patrol positions,” said Franklin Jones, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity. “Our goal is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of America.”
Recent
recruiting innovations include the launch of the Border Patrol Minority Recruitment Strike Team campaign to address and dispel common misconceptions women and minorities may have about becoming an agent and to increase the percentage of these groups in the Border Patrol.
Currently, the majority of Border Patrol agents are men. Women make up five percent of the force. Most agents are White or Hispanic and African Americans, for example, total approximately one percent of Border agents.
In four cities, on-site recruiters will offer answers to applicant questions; application assistance and online application submission; test taking tips; and accounts of their career experiences protecting our nation's borders.
In addition to nationwide recruiting events, Border Patrol recruiters are holding recruiting events at U.S. military installations in the continental U.S. and abroad. Veterans make up more than 20 percent of the Border Patrol.
Five things a Border Patrol recruit can expect:
- Border Patrol recruits earn between $36,000 and $46,000 in their first year, with the potential of earning up to $70,000 per year within three years of service.
- Benefits include federal health insurance, life insurance and retirement, and up to 25 percent additional pay in overtime opportunities.
- Successful Border Patrol candidates will complete a rigorous screening process, which includes a written examination and structured interview, language aptitude or Spanish proficiency test, along with a physical fitness test and medical examination.
- Training is provided and includes a 55-day basic training program upon successfully passing a Spanish proficiency exam in the academy; all others will complete a 40-day Spanish immersion course upon completing basic training. All training is conducted in Artesia, New Mexico.
- Initial assignments will be in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
Border Patrol Snapshot
The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling the 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico. One of the most important activities of a Border Patrol agent is line watch. This involves the detection, prevention and apprehension of terrorists, undocumented aliens and smugglers of aliens or illegal goods at or near the land border.
To find out more information, visit the Border Patrol website or call 1-877-277-9527.
( Border Patrol
) When applying online, enter Recruiting Code: MINO.
Hopkinsville
Fairfield Inn
345 Griffin Bell Road 42240 |
Lexington
Residence Inn Lexington South
2688 Pink Pigeon Parkway 40509 |
Louisville
Residence Inn Louisville Airport
700 Phillips Lane 40209 |
Owensboro
Fairfield Inn
800 Salem Dr. 42303 |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
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