Of the 2,237 Northern Border Sector U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers (as of FY2011), a select few are tasked with handling the Thousands Island Bridge, which includes collecting duties and enforcing customs and navigation laws. As a part of the Wellesley Island Border Patrol Station, Border Patrol jobs at the Thousand Islands Bridge, New York, include overseeing nearly 2,600 square miles, which includes 256 miles of shoreline and 70 miles of international border.
The Thousands Island Bridge is a significant area in terms of border patrol, as it is actually a bridge system that connects Wellesley Island, New York, and Hill Island (Alexandria Bay), Ontario.
Border Patrol Requirements at the Thousand Islands Bridge, New York
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and border patrol agents at the Thousands Island Bridge, New York, must meet the same, specific employment guidelines as any other officer through the U.S. Border Patrol, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
To qualify for employment and achieve a career as a CBP, all candidates must be less than 40 years old, hold U.S. citizenship, and show proof of U.S. residency for at least 3 years. Further, a candidate must have no conviction of domestic violence and must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license.
In addition to a fitness test, Border Patrol job requirements include passing a background test, a criminal background test, a polygraph test, a two-part examination, and a credit history check.
Border Patrol officers are hired at one of three levels:
- GL-5 ($38,619)
- GL-7 ($43,964)
- GL-9 ($49,029)
Further, all CBP officers enjoy federal government benefits, including a 401K retirement plan, life insurance, and health insurance.
Thousand Islands Bridge, New York, Port of Entry
The Thousand Islands Bridge Port of Entry, part of the Wellesley Island Station, is a bridge system that spans across the Saint Lawrence River, connecting New York and Ontario. The five international bridges that comprise the Thousand Islands Bridge connect Ontario with Canadian Hill Island and American Wellesley Island to Alexandria Bay.
The bridge system covers 8.5 miles and provides a direct route between U.S. Interstate Route 81 and Canada Highway 401.