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 Air 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, the Justice Prisoner Air 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 questions about a Deputy United Marshal position:

• Contact your local recruiting officer
• Send an email to usms.recruitment@usdoj.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Please review the menu on the left-hand side of this webpage for position requirements. You are encouraged to contact a District Recruiting Officer in your area to express your interest.

You may also set up an alert in USAJobs for a Deputy U.S. Marshal position:

   1.   Log in to your USAJOBS profile. A profile is required to save searches.
   2.   Use the search bar to enter keywords, job titles, or locations.
   3.   You can narrow results by series, grade, salary, or agency.
   4.   Click the "Save this search" button at the top of the search results page.
   5.   You can also name the search, select how often you want to be notified (daily or weekly), and save it.

How long is the hiring process?

The hiring process, from application to completion of training, is estimated to take anywhere from six to 24 months due to the rigorous employment screening process which includes multiple steps such as a qualifications review, an interview, a background investigation, and medical and fitness screening.

Where is the closest United States Marshals Service recruiting office to me?

The U.S. Marshals Service office nearest you can be found on our Local District Offices page.

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

Deputy U.S. Marshals are placed within one of the 94 districts throughout the continental United States the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands and the two territories of the United States – the Virgin Islands and Guam.

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.