The Swanton Sector of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) keeps the state of Vermont and its international borders safe. Border patrol jobs in Vermont help to keep the United States safe by limiting its access to possible terrorists, illegal aliens and other criminals.
The Swanton Sector is responsible for the safety of the state of Vermont, as well as three counties in New Hampshire. Its employees cover 24,000 square miles in doing their jobs.
In Fiscal Year 2011, the CBP reported the following crimes as taking place in the Swanton Sector:
- Apprehensions: 815
- Cocaine pounds seized: 28.16
- Marijuana pounds seized: 7,415.29
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in Vermont
Vermont’s border safety is vital to the safety of the international borders of the United States. To that end, many border patrol jobs need to be filled in the state. They include:
Border Patrol Agent: These are the “foot soldiers” of the CBP, responsible for the majority of the work in keeping Vermont’s international borders safe. These jobs involve rotating shifts and you must be willing to work anywhere in the United States to which the CBP assigns you. Requirements for the Border Patrol Agent job include being a U.S. citizen, having a valid driver’s license, being under the age 40, passing a background check, passing medical exams, passing physical fitness tests, passing an entrance exam, possessing a bachelor’s degree or a year’s experience working, knowing (or being willing to learn) Spanish, being willing to work independently in possibly hazardous conditions and situations, carrying a variety of firearms, and operating a variety of vehicles. Those who are accepted to become Border Patrol Agents must complete 12 weeks of training at the CBP Border Patrol Academy.
CBP Officer: In addition to performing the duties of a Border Patrol Agent, the CBP Officer acts as a manager and supervisor. All of the requirements for Border Patrol Agent must be met, with the exception that you must be under the age of 37, not 40. You must also pass a lie detector test and, if hired, complete one month of training at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA. Then, you must complete an additional 18 weeks of law enforcement skills training at FLETC.
Border Crossings in Vermont
Border crossing stations within the Swanton Sector located in the state of Vermont include:
- Swanton
- Richford
- Newport
- Beecher Falls
Ports of entry to the United States located within Vermont include:
- Burlington International Airport
- Beecher Falls
- St Albans
- Derby Line
- Richford
- Highgate Springs
- Norton