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Working at the U.S. Marshals Service

The U.S. Marshals Service values many skill sets both out in the field conducting law enforcement operations as a Deputy U.S. Marshal as well as behind the scenes in the agency's 94 districts and its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

The Marshals requires the expertise and dedicated work of a diverse staff of administrative personnel to meet its mission requirements. The U.S. Marshals also seek qualified applicants to act as detention and aviation enforcement officers to assist in the prisoner transportation and operations division of the agency.

People holding right hands for oath

Program Overview

Created in 1789, the U.S. Marshals Service was the first federal law enforcement agency in the United States. The Marshals Service occupies a uniquely central position in the federal justice system. It is the enforcement arm of the federal courts, involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative.

The duties of the U.S. Marshals Service include protecting the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling seized assets acquired by criminals through illegal activities, housing and transporting federal prisoners and operating the Witness Security Program.

Deputy U.S. Marshals

The U. S. Marshals Service is seeking highly qualified men and women from diverse backgrounds for an exciting and challenging career as a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Currently the U.S. Marshals Service is utilizing its Excepted Service hiring authority to recruit for the Deputy U.S. Marshal position.


Detention Enforcement Officer

Detention Enforcement Officer positions are available within any of the 94 districts throughout the continental United States. The available duty location(s) will be listed on the posted job announcement. Applicants will have an opportunity to select their preference in duty location(s) when applying to the position on USA Jobs.


Aviation Enforcement Officer

The Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System's (JPATS) mission is to transport federal prisoners in support of the American Justice System. The Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System is responsible for scheduling and transporting pretrial and sentenced prisoners and criminal and noncriminal aliens throughout the United States and its territories and to and from foreign countries.

This includes transportation of U.S. Marshal Service detainees, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) prisoners, and on a space-available basis, U.S. military and State and local Government prisoners. On average, Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System completes over 280,000 prisoner movements per year.


Federal Enforcement Officer

The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation's oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency. The missions of the Service include protection of the judiciary, court security, witness security, asset seizure and forfeiture, apprehension of fugitives, and prisoner transportation and custody.


Administrative/Professional/Technical Positions

The United States Marshals Service is the nation's oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency. The missions of the Service include protection of the judiciary, court security, witness security, asset seizure and forfeiture, fugitive apprehension, prisoner transportation and custody.


Students

For more information on our Student Volunteer Internship Program, please send an email to: USMS.StudentVolunteer@usdoj.gov

Judicial Security

Protecting federal judicial officials — judges, attorneys and jurors is a core mission for the U.S. Marshals. Deputy Marshals employ the latest security techniques and devices during highly sensitive trials throughout the nation.


Transporting Prisoners/Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS​)​​​​​​

In 1995, the U.S. Marshals created an efficient and effective system for transporting prisoners and criminal aliens. Managed by the U.S. Marshals, Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) is one of the largest transporters of prisoners in the world, handling more than 1,070 requests every day to move prisoners between judicial districts, correctional institutions, and foreign countries. JPATS completes more than 275,400 prisoner and alien movements annually via coordinated air and ground systems.


Fugitive Operations

The U.S. Marshals is the federal government's primary agency for conducting fugitive investigations and apprehend more federal fugitives than all other law enforcement agencies combined. Working with authorities at the federal, state, and local levels, U.S. Marshals-lead fugitive task forces assist in the arrest of state and local fugitives across the country.

The U.S. Marshals is the premier agency to apprehend foreign fugitives believed to be in the United States, and it is the agency responsible for locating and extraditing American fugitives, who flee to foreign countries. In support of its international fugitive investigative mission, the USMS has established foreign field offices in Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The U.S. Marshals also maintains successful law enforcement liaison programs along the borders of Mexico and Canada. Also, the U.S. Marshals Service enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and holds key positions at Interpol.


Sex Offender Investigations

The U.S. Marshals Service sex offender investigations mission is to protect the public from sex offenders through the coordinated enforcement of sex offender registration laws.

With the passage of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, the U.S. Marshals Service was designated as the lead federal agency to investigate violations of federal sex offender registration laws and to assist state, local, tribal and territorial jurisdictions in locating and apprehending sex offenders who fail to comply with their sex offender registration requirements. The Marshals collaborate with those partner agencies to aggressively investigate and pursue non-compliant offenders, placing the highest priority on those who have committed violent acts and crimes against children.


Missing Child Program

The U.S. Marshals Service supports the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) mission to protect children from victimization by providing assistance to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the U.S. Marshals’ authority to assist federal, state and local law enforcement with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved.

The Marshals established a Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act.


Prisoner Operations

The Marshals Service houses over 55,000 detainees in federal, state, local and private jails throughout the nation. In order to house these pre-sentenced prisoners, the Marshals Service contracts with approximately 1,800 state and local governments to rent jail space. Seventy-five percent of the prisoners in Marshals Service custody are detained in state, local and private facilities; the remainder are housed in Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities.


Tactical Operations

Each year the U.S. Marshals Service carries out hundreds of special missions related to its broad law enforcement authority and judicial security responsibilities. It also responds to homeland security crises and national emergencies.

The U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group (SOG) is a specially trained, tactical unit comprised of Deputy Marshals, who can respond immediately to incidents anywhere in the United States or its territories.


Asset Forfeiture

The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for managing and disposing of seized and forfeited properties acquired by criminals through illegal activities. Under the auspices of the Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Program, the Marshals currently manage nearly $2.2 billion worth of property, and promptly disposes of assets forfeited by all Department of Justice agencies.

The Program's goal is to maximize the net return from forfeited property and then reinvest the proceeds for law enforcement purposes.


Witness Security

The U.S. Marshals ensures the safety of witnesses, who risk their lives testifying for the government in cases involving organized crime and other significant criminal activities. Since 1971, the Marshals have protected, relocated and given new identities to more than 8,500 witnesses and more than 9,900 of their family members.

The successful operation of the Witness Security Program has been recognized as providing a unique and valuable tool in the government's battle against major criminal enterprises and international terrorism. Witness Security Program personnel are the world's leading authorities and foremost experts on witness security matters, providing guidance and training to numerous government officials throughout the world.

The U.S. Marshals Service does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), sexual orientation, reprisal, parental status, or any other non-merit factor.

The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to providing equal employment opportunity; eliminating discrimination in employment; and maintaining an environment that is free from any form of prohibited discrimination.

The U.S. Marshals Service will provide a prompt, fair, and impartial review of any allegations of discrimination.

If you have career or employment questions, please

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the qualifications to become a Deputy U.S. Marshal?
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be between the ages of 21 and 36 (must be appointed before 37th birthday)
  • Must have a bachelor's degree, three years of qualifying work experience, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to the GL-07 level
  • Must have a valid driver's license in good standing
  • Must successfully complete a structured interview and other assessments
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation
  • Must meet medical qualifications
  • Must be in excellent physical condition
  • Must undergo a rigorous 21 ½ week basic training program at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy in Glynco, GA

For information regarding internships, please email USMS.StudentVolunteer@usdoj.gov

How do I become a Deputy U.S. Marshal?

Please visit the Qualifications page for position requirements and set up your USAJOBS account to notify you when Deputy U.S. Marshals job announcements are posted.

When will the United States Marshals Service be hiring?

Applications for Deputy U.S. Marshal Positions are ONLY accepted through the USAJOBS site during posted announcement open periods. We encourage all interested applicants to create or update their existing USAJOBS accounts and to set up their notice for U.S. Marshals Service job postings.

Hiring campaigns cannot be predicted, as they are dependent on a variety of factors to include:

  • Retirements
  • Departures
  • Funding

Information about hiring and recruitment will be posted on our website. Inddiduals interested in becoming a Deputy U.S. Marshal are encouraged to create or update their existing USAJOBS accounts and to set up their notice for U.S. Marshals Service job postings. You may also contact your local district recruiting officer.

How long is the hiring process?

The hiring process may take from 9-12 months depending on the various assessment phases.

What are the time requirements for military personnel/ college seniors who are approaching their separation/graduation date?

Individuals must be available to attend the training academy within 160 days of applying.

Where is the nearest United States Marshals Service office?

The U.S. Marshal Service office nearest you can be found on our District Map.

Where will I be assigned to work as a Deputy U.S. Marshal?

Deputy U.S. Marshals positions may be placed within any of the 94 districts throughout the continental United States. Applicant candidates will be assigned in the hiring regions under which they apply and to those city locations based on the need of the U.S. Marshals Service.

All candidates are required to remain at their initial duty station for a minimum of three years. A mobility agreement and memorandum of understanding must be signed prior to employment.

What is the starting pay/benefits of a Deputy U.S. Marshal?

Please refer to the 2024 General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Tables for salary information.

The salary information provided is an approximation. Actual salary is determined by the geographic location in which employed.

What will I learn at the training academy?
  • Legal Training
  • Court Security
  • Firearms Training
  • Computer Training
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Officer Survival
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Building Entry Search
  • Driver Training
  • Search Seizure
  • First Aid
  • High Threat Trials
  • Courtroom Evidence Procedure
  • Protective Service Training
  • Prisoner Search Restraint
  • Surveillance
Where is the training academy located?

Training to become a Deputy U.S. Marshal is conducted at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy in Glynco, GA. Glynco is located near Brunswick, GA, midway between Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL.

What are the fitness standards?

The U.S. Marshals Service Fitness-In-Total Certification test consists of four individual assessments including the following:

  • 1.5 Mile Run
  • 1 Minute Push Up Test
  • 1 Minute Sit Up Test
  • Sit and Reach Test

For more information, visit the Fitness Program Information Overview page.

  • Be the Difference




Benefits and Compensation

Below you will find information pertaining to compensation, promotion potential and benefits for various positions within the U.S. Marshals Service.

Benefits

Retirement

New employees are typically covered under Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) which includes a 3-tier system: 

  • Pension Plan: vested after 5 years
  • Social Security
  • Thrift Savings Plan - up to 5% employer match 

Federal law enforcement officers are eligible for retirement after 25 years of service or at 50 years old, with 20 years of service. The mandatory retirement age is 57, once 20 years of service is completed. Military experience may increase years for retirement but cannot be substituted for 20 years of law enforcement experience.

Leave

Employees are eligible for several types of paid time off including annual leave, sick leave and federal holidays.

Annual Leave

As noted in the chart below, the amount of annual leave earned each pay period changes over time as it is based on the number of years of creditable Federal service which may also include military service.

Federal Service Leave earned per pay period
Less than 3 years 4 hours
3 years but less than 15 years 6 hours
15 or more years 8 hours

Sick Leave

  • All employees earn 4 hours of sick leave per pay period regardless of the number of years of Federal and military service.
  • Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year, and it does not include a maximum limit.

Federal Holidays

  • Employees receive 11 paid federal holidays each year.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

  • The Family and Medical leave Act allows eligible employees to take leave for up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave in any 12-month period to care for a family member, or if the employee themselves has a serious health condition.
  • Employees, after one year of Federal service, may also take up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave for the birth or placement (for adoption or foster care) of a child.

Health Benefits

  • Health benefits are optional.
  • The government offers many health care plans from which to choose.
  • The cost of health insurance is shared by the employee and the government.
  • Vision and Dental insurance plans are available through the Federal Employees Dental/Vision Program (FEDVIP).
  • The government offers a Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) which is a tax-deferred program that allows participants to pay for out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Life Insurance

  • Employees are automatically enrolled in the Federal Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) plan under the Basic Life coverage level.
  • Cost is shared by the employee and the government.
  • Employees may waive coverage.
  • Employees enrolled in Basic Life can elect additional options which increase their life insurance coverage.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee Assistance Program is a confidential, voluntary program designed to help employees and their family members resolve problems that may occur on or off the job. Assistance can be received for personal issues, family/close relationship issues, and work issues.

Compensation

The salary information for most positions in the U.S. Marshals Service is provided in Federal Employee Schedules and Locality Pay Tables. The actual salary of a position is determined by the employee’s position, wage schedule, and geographic location in which they are employed.

Salary information for Federal law enforcement officers at grades levels 10 and below is located under the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) General Schedule Locality Pay Tables.

Employees may be eligible for various forms of premium pay which is compensation provided for working certain types of hours or under certain conditions. For example:

  • Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) is a type of premium pay that is paid to eligible Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) who are classified as criminal investigators in the GS-1811 series.
  • Employees who are required to work during federal holidays may be eligible for holiday pay.
  • Overtime pay may be provided for hours of work officially ordered in excess of regular hours.