The small town of Porthill, ID, is located in the northern Idaho’s Boundary County. Many who work at the border crossing commute from the larger towns of Bonner’s Ferry and Moyie Springs.
The Porthill/Rykerts Border Crossing is one of two border crossings along the 45 miles of border that Idaho shares with British Columbia. Porthill handles most of the passenger traffic, with Idaho’s other border crossing at Eastgate handling the majority of the commercial traffic. The Porthill/Rykerts Border Crossing is open between 7 am and 11 pm, seven days per week.
The frequency of illegal crossings from Canada into the United States has risen in recent years, meriting increased attention from United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The United State’s northern border is also vulnerable to human trafficking, the smuggling of contraband including drugs, money and weapons, and serving as a point of entry for terrorists.
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, US CBP has increased its staffing along the United States’ northern border from 340 border patrol jobs in 2001 to 2,237 just ten years later in 2011.
United States Customs and Border Protection employees work at each of the United States’ 329 ports of entry, including land, air and sea ports. Jobs vary depending on the type and size of the port of entry.
Employment at the Porthill/Rykerts Border Crossing
At the Porthill/Rykerts Border Crossing, Border Patrol Agents and CBP Officers monitor the flow of persons and goods into the country through the border crossing. This includes ensuring that the laws regulating immigration and commerce are followed, agricultural products are inspected, and smuggling is prohibited. Since September 11, 2011, Border Patrol Agents have been receiving training to support increased monitoring of the northern border to protect the United States from those who would enter the country in order to perform acts of terrorism.
- Border Patrol jobs that may be available at the Porthill/Rykerts Border Crossing include: Border Patrol Agent
- CBP Officer
- Agricultural Specialist
Border Patrol Job Requirements
Border Patrol Agents are federal employees who work within the Department of Homeland Security. As federal agents, Border Patrol Agents are expected to meet high standards of conduct, cognitive aptitude and physical fitness. Requirements for applying to jobs at Customs and Border Protection include:
- U.S. citizenship or having residency within the U.S.
- Possessing a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Being under 40 years old, (some exceptions for veterans and current federal employees)
- Speaking Spanish or demonstrating the capability to learn Spanish
- Being able to pass a background check, medical examination, fitness test and drug test.
- Having no history of arrests or convictions
- Having no history of excessive debt or drug or alcohol abuse
Border Patrol Agents are hired at different levels, depending on education and experience. Starting salary depends on level, and ranges from $38,619 to $49,029. However all full-time employees qualify for the federal benefits package which includes health care and retirement benefits among other perks.