Working at the U.S. Marshals Service

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

• Contact your local recruiting officer
• Send an email to usms.recruitment@usdoj.gov 
• Call (703) 740-4001

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 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.