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.
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.
- Position Types
- Mission/Major Duties
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Contact Information
- FAQs
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.
Read more about Deputy U.S. Marshals
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.
Read more about Detention Enforcement Officer
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.
Read more about Aviation Enforcement Officer
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.
Read more about Administrative, Professional and Technical Positions
Students
For more information on our Student Volunteer Internship Program, please send an email to: USMS.StudentVolunteer@usdoj.gov
Read more about Students
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.
Read more about Equal Employment Opportunity
If you have career or employment questions, please
- Contact your local recruiting officer
- Send an email to usms.recruitment@usdoj.gov
- Call (703) 740-4001
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. Individuals 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 2020 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.
We are committed to investing in the workforce, including recruiting only the best, career development and advancement opportunities, and a focus on the safety and wellness of all of our employees.
The U.S. Marshals Service requires the expertise and dedicated work of a diverse staff of administrative personnel to meet its mission requirements. Administrative positions are found in all 94 judicial districts and at the Headquarters of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The U.S. Marshals Service, district of Puerto Rico, Asset Forfeiture Section conducted a preview of six air-crafts in Aguadilla on Aug. 29, 2012
Detention Enforcement Officers (DEOs) (1802s) are responsible for the care of prisoners in USMS custody. They also are tasked with the responsibility of conducting administrative remedies for the U.S. Marshal. DEOs can be seen transporting, booking and securing federal prisoners while in USMS custody. They also provide courtroom safety and cell block security.
U.S. Marshals Gang Operations continued helping local law enforcement get gangs, drugs and weapons off the streets of Atlanta
Aviation Enforcement Officers (AEOs) are responsible for the care of prisoners via aircraft transportation with the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS).
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 covered under Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) which includes a 3-tier system:
- Pension Plan: vested after 5 year
- 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.
Military experience may increase years for retirement, but cannot be substituted for 20 years of law enforcement experience.
Leave
Annual Leave
The amount of annual leave earned is based on the number of years of Federal service.
Employees are eligible for several types of paid time off including annual leave, sick leave and federal holidays.
Employees earn 13 to 26 days of annual leave per year based on their length of federal service.
Note: Most military time is creditable toward leave accrual; therefore, a majority of the military will be in the 6-hour leave category.
Sick Leave
All employees earn 4 hours of sick leave per pay period regardless of the number of years of federal service.
Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year, and it does not include a maximum limit.
Federal Holiday
Employees receive 11 paid federal holidays each year. Some employees who are required to work during federal holidays are eligible for premium pay.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Family and Medical leave Act allows "eligible" employees to take leave for up to 12 work weeks in any 12 month period for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a family member, or if the employee themselves has a serious health condition.
Employees may earn 12 weeks of Parental Leave after one year of federal service.
Health Benefits
- Health benefits are optional
- There is a large variety of health care plans to choose from
- 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).
- Health care and Dependent care programs through the Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) a tax-deferred program that allows participants to pay for out-of-pocket expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Life Insurance
- Automatic enrollment in the Federal Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) plan with Basic Life only
- Cost is shared by the employee and the government
- Employee may waive coverage
Employee must be enrolled in Basic Life to elect the Optional Coverage:
- Option A - Standard: additional $10,000; employee pays full cost of insurance.
- Option B - Additional: election of an amount to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 times employees’ annual basic pay; employee pays the full cost of this insurance.
- Option C - Family: covers eligible family members; employee pays the full cost of this insurance.
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 in personal issues, family/close relationship issues, and work issues.
Compensation
The salary information provided in Federal Employee Schedules and Locality Pay Tables is an approximation. Actual salary is determined by the employee’s wage schedule and geographic location in which employed.
Deputy U.S. Marshals salary and wage information if located under the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) General Schedule Locality Pay Tables
Availability Pay is a type of premium pay that is paid to eligible Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEO's) who are properly classified as criminal investigators in the GS-1811 series.
FAQs
Is it hard to get a job as a US marshal? ›
Like most federal jobs, and law enforcement and special agent jobs, in particular, U.S. marshal careers are highly sought after. Of course, that also means they're highly competitive.
How long does a US Marshal background check take? ›Pre-employment investigative screening (such as the collection and review of fingerprints and the Questionnaire for National Security Positions, the polygraph exam, and the background investigation) can take up to 12 months, or longer.
Can I become a US marshal without a degree? ›Education: You must have completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) a 4-year course of study above high school level leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in any field. Combination: You may combine education and experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.
What GPA do you need to be a US Marshal? ›Meet minimum education and experience requirements
If you don't maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 during your undergraduate studies, you may also want to finish a year of graduate school. If you don't get your bachelor's degree, you can also obtain a combination of both education and experience.
Basic Deputy U.S. Marshal Integrated (BDUSMI) training consists of 18 weeks of basic training instructed by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and U.S. Marshals Service instructors.
Can a US marshal have tattoos? ›Have no visible body markings. The Secret Service prohibits special agents from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand, and fingers (any area below the wrist bone).
What causes a red flag on a background check? ›If there is a felony on your criminal record, it could be a red flag for employers. A history of violent crimes, sexual offenses, robberies, or serious drug offenses can make it difficult to pass a background check. However, it can still be possible to get a job even if you have a criminal history.
Do U.S. Marshals take polygraph? ›Justice Department documents show that only the Drug Enforcement Administration requires applicants to undergo polygraph examinations and psychological assessments. The U.S. Marshals Service, the agency that hunts down fugitives, requires neither.
What is a US marshal salary? ›Average U.S. Marshals Service Marshal yearly pay in the United States is approximately $126,671, which is 141% above the national average.
What disqualifies you from becoming a US Marshal? ›Medical Qualifications
Hearing must test 30 decibels or better in each ear. The agency also disqualifies recruits with conditions that prevent them from safely and efficiently doing a marshal's duties. These include diabetes, eye surgeries, heart conditions and hernias.
Is a US marshal a cop? ›
US Marshals differ from sheriffs and police officers in one primary way: they are hired on at a federal level as opposed to in a city, county, or state jurisdiction. US Marshals primarily handle fugitive arrests, federal prisoner transportation, and the witness protection program.
Can US marshals wear glasses? ›Specific Medical Requirements
20/20 binocular vision is required and may be corrected with lenses to meet this standard. Uncorrected vision must test 20/200 or better in each eye.
To become a federal marshal, most candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in a field such as criminal justice, criminology, or law enforcement and one year of specialized experience. An acceptable combination of education and experience equal to the GL-07 level is also sufficient for applicants.
What is the best way to become a US 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.
U.S. Marshals work with the international law enforcement community to apprehend fugitives abroad as well as to seek foreign fugitives living or residing in the U.S.
What kind of guns do US marshals carry? ›Firearms and protective gear
The primary handgun for marshals are Glock pistols in .40 S&W caliber (22, 23, 27), and each deputy may carry a backup handgun of their choice if it meets certain requirements.
U.S. Marshals work closely with law enforcement agencies along the borders of Mexico and Canada and with the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service.
What are the duties of a US marshal? ›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.
Are federal air marshals special agents? ›Federal Air Marshal Supervisors are the Special Agents in Charge of individual Federal Air Marshal Service field offices. Supervisors oversee the coordination, planning, and tactics used for their assigned field office.
Does the FBI accept tattoos? ›Kellie: Yeah, they are allowed. Now I would suggest that if you're looking to get a tattoo, be very judicious in where you place it, just because the image of the Academy in the FBI is extremely important. So just be judicious in your placement of your tattoo.
Can air marshals have beards? ›
Federal air marshals must have neatly trimmed hair and men must be clean-shaven, the documents say. Some of the service's 21 field offices have mandated that male officers wear suits, ties and dress shoes while on duty, even in summer heat. Women are required to wear blouses and skirts or dress slacks.
How do you get hired by the U.S. Marshals? ›All applicants must complete a structured interview and other assessments to advance in the hiring process. All Deputy U.S. Marshal positions are posted through the USAJOBS website. Applications for Deputy U.S. Marshal positions are ONLY accepted through the USAJOBS site during posted announcement open periods.
What is the best way to become a US 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.
The FBI, or Federal Bureau of Investigation, is under the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. Marshals is the enforcement arm of the federal courts. 2. The U.S. Marshals is mainly responsible for the effective operation of the judicial system by protecting the officers of the court and the court buildings.
Is FBI over US Marshal? ›FBI agents and U.S. marshals are both part of federal law enforcement, but they have very different missions. FBI special agents are federal cops, whose beats extend from counter-terrorism to exposing white-collar crime. The job duties of a deputy U.S. marshal are more specialized.
What is a US marshal salary? ›Average U.S. Marshals Service Marshal yearly pay in the United States is approximately $126,671, which is 141% above the national average.
Do U.S. Marshals go overseas? ›U.S. Marshals work with the international law enforcement community to apprehend fugitives abroad as well as to seek foreign fugitives living or residing in the U.S.
How many U.S. Marshals are there? ›U.S. Marshals are presidentially appointed; one for each of the 94 federal judicial districts. Approximately 4,000 deputy U.S. Marshals and criminal investigators form the backbone of the agency.
What disqualifies you from becoming a US Marshal? ›Medical Qualifications
Hearing must test 30 decibels or better in each ear. The agency also disqualifies recruits with conditions that prevent them from safely and efficiently doing a marshal's duties. These include diabetes, eye surgeries, heart conditions and hernias.
Firearms and protective gear
The primary handgun for marshals are Glock pistols in .40 S&W caliber (22, 23, 27), and each deputy may carry a backup handgun of their choice if it meets certain requirements.
What is the best law enforcement job? ›
- Security manager. National average salary: $61,960 per year. ...
- Forensic accountant. National average salary: $65,268 per year. ...
- Police sergeant. National average salary: $72,497 per year. ...
- Judge. ...
- Forensic analyst. ...
- Lawyer. ...
- Detective. ...
- Border patrol agent.
...
| Sheriff | Marshall | |
|---|---|---|
| Authorization | They have authority over the entire county. | They have authority over the entire nation. |
Thirteen stars are over the top half of the seal, while the agency motto: "Justice, Integrity, Service" is denoted on the bottom half.
Can U.S. Marshals go to Mexico? ›U.S. Marshals work closely with law enforcement agencies along the borders of Mexico and Canada and with the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service.
Is the Secret Service more powerful than FBI? ›It shows the FBI at the top, with a score of 69.9, well above the last-place Secret Service, which comes in at a lowly 33.4. By comparison, the median score for law enforcement agencies is 62.2 and the government-wide score is 58.1. Scores are calculated from questions in the viewpoint survey.
What are US Marshals used for? ›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.
Why would someone have a US Marshal hold? ›Local and state police often have too much on their plates and can't dedicate the time or resources necessary to catching a particular criminal. In these situations, they turn to the Marshals. In most areas, the Marshals lead a fugitive task force comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement.