Workers employed by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Unit of the United States Department of Homeland Security staff the Land Port of Entry at Bridgewater, Maine. Border patrol jobs in Bridgewater, Maine involve making sure that illegal persons and contraband do not cross from Canada into the United States. The Bridgewater port adjoins the Centreville port on the Canadian side of the border in New Brunswick.
Currently, the Bridgewater Maine Port of Entry is undergoing a modernization project under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Border Crimes in Bridgewater, Maine
The Land Port of Entry at Bridgewater, Maine experiences its share of border crimes, just as all border crossings into and out of the United States do. In February 2012, for example, two people were arrested for trying to smuggle methamphetamines into the United States at the Bridgewater Port of Entry by hiding them in the door panels of their vehicle. In December 2011, a Canadian man was arrested at the Bridgewater port for trafficking methamphetamine across the international border.
Border Crossings in Bridgewater, Maine
The port facility at Bridgewater, Maine is currently undergoing a modernization process to bring it up-to-date in terms of space and technology. Because the expansion of the port is a major undertaking that will require about nine more acres, the CBP contracted with Northeast Archaeology Research Center, Inc. (NEARC) to ensure that this process will not disturb historic Native American nor Euroamerican cultural and archaeological resources. In the unearthing process, NEARC, Inc. found that a small 19th century border hamlet had been built on the site, along with a mill built on the Prestile Stream. Excavation of this area by NEARC will keep any archaeological finds secure.
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in Bridgewater, Maine
Bridgewater’s Land Port of Entry may be small, but it still needs bodies to fill border patrol jobs, just as any border crossing station or port of entry does. Some of the jobs that may be available at the Bridgewater, Maine Port of Entry include:
Import Specialist: This CBP job title entails the inspection of all items entering the United States through the Bridgewater land port of entry. This professional must appraise each item’s value and make a decision on the lawfulness of its entry into the United States under current customs laws. Job requirements that you must fulfill to become an Import Specialist include:
- Possess US citizenship
- Possess a bachelor’s degree in a business field
- Possess three years of work experience
- Pass a background investigation
- Pass initial and random drug screening tests
- If hired, participate in two months of import/export training and education
Border Patrol Agent: This CBP job title entails finding and preventing terrorist, smuggling and illegal border crossing activities. These professionals are law enforcement agents who have the authority to apprehend individuals violating US immigration laws, as well as seize contraband crossing the border. Job requirements that you must fulfill to become a Border Patrol Agent include:
- Possess U.S. citizenship
- Be under age 40
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Pass a background investigation
- Pass a medical examination
- Pass fitness tests
- Pass initial and random drug tests
- Complete three months of training and education if hired