Keeping the state of New York’s international borders safe and secure is the responsibility of the dedicated men and women working in the Buffalo and Swanton Sectors controlled by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency of the US Department of Homeland Security. Border patrol jobs in New York are vital to securing the U.S. from illegal persons, drugs, and goods.
Border Patrol Agents in the Buffalo Sector patrol the western, central and some northern parts of New York State, as well as an international boundary with Canada made up of water (Lakes Ontario and Erie, the western part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and the Niagara River). Agents in the Swanton Sector are responsible for patrolling the counties of Herkimer, Clinton, Franklin, Essex, Hamilton and St. Lawrence in New York.
2011 crime statistics as reported by the CBP for the Buffalo and Swanton Sectors are as follows:
- Buffalo Sector:
- Apprehensions: 2114
- Marijuana pounds seized: 1,126.45
- Cocaine pounds seized: 9.36
- Swanton Sector:
- Apprehensions: 815
- Marijuana pounds seized: 7,415.29
- Cocaine pounds seized: 28.16
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in New York
New York is a vast area that needs persons to fill many jobs in order to protect the safety of the state and of its international borders. In addition to the usual jobs one would expect to find, such as Border Patrol Agent and CBP Officer, New York has some unique needs, including:
Field Canine Coordinator: This position involves working in airports and other ports of entry, providing supervision and leadership to teams of transportation security specialists and canines. Its responsibilities include training Explosives Detection Canine Teams, managing approximately 30 canine teams, assessing the work they perform, and inventorying explosives at the site. Job requirements include:
- US citizenship
- Pass background investigation
- Obtain and maintain Secret Clearance
- Pass initial and random drug and alcohol tests
- Have one year of specialized experience in training dogs and/or working with explosives
Entry Level Attorney, Citizenship and Immigration Services: This position entails providing legal advice to CBP workers on immigration issues, including deportability, citizenship, asylum and refugee matters. Job requirements include:
- US citizenship
- Pass background investigation
- Obtain and maintain Secret Clearance
- Pass a drug screening test
- Have a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school on or after January 1, 2010, or be set to graduate no later than July 1, 2013
- Become a member of the Bar of any state /territory in the US within one year of employment
- Have a strong academic law school record
- Submit a writing sample less than 10 pages long
Border Crossings in New York
Ports of Entry in New York include:
- Trout River
- Albany
- Syracuse
- Alexandria Bay
- Rochester
- Binghamton User Fee Airport
- Ogdensburg
- Buffalo (service port)
- Massena
- Champlain (service port)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (service port)
Border crossing stations in New York within the Buffalo Sector of the CBP include:
- Buffalo Station
- Wellesley Island Station
- Niagara Falls Station
- Rochester Station
- Oswego Station
Border crossing stations in New York within the Swanton Sector of the CBP include:
- Massena Station
- Burke Station
- Champlain Station
- Ogdensburg Station
- Massena Station