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. 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.

Duties

• Transporting prisoners safely via aircraft.
• Conducting or overseeing the searches of prisoners and detainees to ensure that they are not carrying prohibited items.
• Applying and/or removing restraints (handcuffs, leg irons, and waist chain).
• Ensuring that prisoners and detainees are properly escorted onto and secured on Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS)/Commercial aircraft.
• Providing for security and safeguarding of the prisoners and detainees in accordance with rules, regulations, directives, and procedures.
• Ensuring that all documents and official records are in order and properly completed.
• In the event of an aircraft emergency, the Aviation Enforcement Officer is responsible for conducting/overseeing aircraft emergency egress procedures and post-incident scene management.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be between the ages of 21 and 36 (must be appointed before 37th birthday)
• Must meet either listed educational requirements, 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to or at the next lower grade level, or a combination of both education and experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license in good standing
• Must obtain an official Government passport.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation
• This position is a Testing Designated Position and subject to random drug testing
• Must meet medical qualifications
• Must carry and demonstrate proficiency in the use of firearms including handguns, rifles, and shotguns
• Must attend, pass, and maintain certifications in rigorous aviation safety and survival training programs
• Must be proficient in the use of all U.S. Marshals Service less than lethal devices including the X26P Taser
• Must attend and successfully pass the rigorous basic training Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) course along with additional Aviation related training courses.
• Extensive travel is required.
• This is a rigorous law enforcement position, with primary duties of escorting, transporting, and securing federal prisoners/detainees/aliens onboard Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) aircraft
• The incumbent is required to work in a confined area (aircraft) for long periods of time while dealing with potentially uncooperative, dangerous, and potentially combative prisoners/detainees/aliens. The incumbent is responsible for the safety and security of prisoners/detainees/aliens, as well as other personnel on the aircraft (i.e., pilots, medical personnel, etc.). The incumbent may be required to deploy and utilize X26P Tasers and RIPP restraints. The incumbent is exposed to extreme temperatures and risks of aircraft malfunctions that may include emergency situations.

Age Requirements

This position has been approved for coverage as a Primary Law Enforcement position under the special retirement program for law enforcement officers 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) (FERS) (Federal Employees Retirement System). Persons making their first entry into a law enforcement position under these authorities must be between the ages of 21 and 36 years of age. Persons in already covered secondary positions or persons with previous approved service who apply for a primary position cannot be considered if their age at reentry into the primary position exceeds 36 years after subtracting their years of service in covered positions. You must indicate your date of birth on your resume/application. Veterans must submit a Member 4 copy of their DD-214 or statement of Service with your application as qualifying proof of Veterans Preference for employment.

Qualifying Experience

The Aviation Enforcement Officer positions are advertised at various grade levels. Each grade level has specific qualification requirements that must be met in order to be found minimally qualified for the position. Please review and refer to the posted job announcement to find detailed information regarding these job requirements.

Aviation Enforcement Officer (AEO) positions will be posted on the USAJOBS website as they become available.

If you have questions about the Aviation Enforcement Officer position, please

• Send an email to LEO.Staffing@usdoj.gov  

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the U.S. Marshals Service be hiring?

Applications for Aviation Enforcement Officer 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.

How long is the hiring process?

The hiring process is estimated to take anywhere from six to eight months depending on the various assessment phases. Every inddidual is different, so times may vary.

Where will I be assigned to work as an Aviation Enforcement Officer?

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 USAJOBS.

The main offices are currently located in Kansas City, MO, Oklahoma City, OK, and Las Vegas, NV.