U.S. Marshals Service Hiring

[MarineMp]

I know a while back they had some kind of special waiver for Marines moving over to Marshals.I think it was called the star program or something like that.

[Switchback]

No, there was no waiver and it was not specific to Marines. It was the Shining Star hiring initiative, targeting military personnel ETSing.

It's nice in concept, but doesn't often meet the same hiring standards that many of us were held to. It's great in the sense that it gives those who serve our country a leg-up and it is a very accelerated process, with several steps being done in 1 day.

However, few hired under this program had degrees or experience. When I was hired, one of the cornerstones of the process was to have a 4 year degree, 2.5 years of LE, or a combination of the 2. Most in my academy class had degrees AND military... as would be the case if they announced the positions and opened them to anyone.

[Wolfman]

Is the CO-OP program the only way to get in to the USMS now? i.e. you have to go through the 0082 pipeline then hope to get picked up as an 1811? Another officer and I were talking about it, and he said he might be considering the USMS - but he seemed to think that if you were prior LEO then you could be hired straight into 1811. Is there any truth to that?

[Switchback]

There is no truth to that whatsoever. You are currently hired as an 082 and then in 3 years you become an 1811. I don't think hiring is limited to the Co-op program right now, as there is some weird, voodoo internship thing going too (I think).

Experience has never had any bearing on what series you are hired to. Rather, it CAN allow you to start at a higher grade. Back when I was hired (directly to 1811), experience and higher GPA in collge would allow you to start as a GS7. Otherwise, you were brought on as a GS5.

I know, for many in LE, the initial hit in pay can seem substantial. However, I think it can be a bit easier to swallow when you look at the fact you'll be making more than $100k a few years down the road... and that is not even considering the potential for a schedule that more resemble "banker's hours" and the possibility to get into full-time fugitive work, judicial security, witness security, or any other specialty that floats your boat.

[MarineMp]

No, there was no waiver and it was not specific to Marines. It was the Shining Star hiring initiative, targeting military personnel ETSing.

It's nice in concept, but doesn't often meet the same hiring standards that many of us were held to. It's great in the sense that it gives those who serve our country a leg-up and it is a very accelerated process, with several steps being done in 1 day.

However, few hired under this program had degrees or experience. When I was hired, one of the cornerstones of the process was to have a 4 year degree, 2.5 years of LE, or a combination of the 2. Most in my academy class had degrees AND military... as would be the case if they announced the positions and opened them to anyone.

I see. Well, I received info while I was in from the Marshals service. It stated that military training could be used for some requirements. Maybe they didnt make it clear. Non the less, I talked with a recruiter and he stated that A 4 year degree could be waived in certain cases. Again, Maybe I was being given the run around. Thats just the info I had at the time.

[Switchback]

As I said, it doesn't give you a pass of starting out as an 082. I am not sure of the requirements with the current voodoo hiring (as the Shining Star did not meet them either), but it used to be a 4 year degree, 2.5 years of LE experience, or a combination of the two.

In terms of the LE experience, it was specifically stated that it had to be MAKING arrests, that detention, physical security and such did not meet the requirements. With that said and having the necessary experience, a 4 degree has never been required to get hired with the USMS. THAT, only speaks of the antiquity of the USMS hiring process.

USMS personnel always whine about wanting to be on the same playing field as many other 1811s (having a journeyman of 13), but we are one of the last ones to NOT require a degree and to hire almost exclusively from "special" hiring initiatives. Other agencies open their announcements up to everyone. Even is there are agencies that do not require a degree, good luck ever getting hired if you have to compete with the general populace (where there are a ton of applicants who have LE experience, military experience AND a degree). In stead, for quite some time, the USMS has announced positions ONLY to very specific applicant pools. Some examples include co-ops (where only university students in the co-op program can apply... and there are not that many places that have a USMS co-op program, to boot!) and Operation Shining Star (only those within 180 days of ETSing from the military may apply... most of these did NOT have the LE experience or degree that was required for so long).

Don't take me wrong, as I am not bashing the USMS. I love it and anyone who knows me knows the pride that I take in what I do and the passion I have for doing it. I just think that the agency is selling itself short in it's hiring practices... and it will continue to do so until they open the announcements up to anyone who wants to apply. Only then, will we get the largest hiring pool, allowing us to be most selective.

This limited-scope hiring practice of only allowing those applicants born on an odd year and on the second Tuesday of the month may apply crap is really limiting our options. (Please note the sarcasm in the event you happen to fall into this category... you cannot apply. )

[BNTF]

I can shine a little light on the FCIP (or Voodoo ha) hiring process as I was in the first class where guys in that program were hired. My class was about half FCIP and half Co-op. An obvious difference in the two pools, I won't go much into the general impression of the Co-op program other than if you seek an opinion on it, you will certainly get one. Just not from me.

I can't say there is a defined minimum standard for FCIP, but our group was pretty top heavy in LE/specialized military experience. I had 3 yrs with a large city PD and a bachelor's prior to coming on. Several guys had 5+ LE with a degree, or an extended stay in the military. Talking to deputies who recruited, there was a strong emphasis on hiring guys with street experience or who brought something more to the table than just the average joe. I got the impression USMS wanted to shift in its hiring standards, and IMO it was pretty apparent

[Switchback]

I can shine a little light on the FCIP (or Voodoo ha) hiring process as I was in the first class where guys in that program were hired. My class was about half FCIP and half Co-op. An obvious difference in the two pools, I won't go much into the general impression of the Co-op program other than if you seek an opinion on it, you will certainly get one. Just not from me.

I can't say there is a defined minimum standard for FCIP, but our group was pretty top heavy in LE/specialized military experience. I had 3 yrs with a large city PD and a bachelor's prior to coming on. Several guys had 5+ LE with a degree, or an extended stay in the military. Talking to deputies who recruited, there was a strong emphasis on hiring guys with street experience or who brought something more to the table than just the average joe. I got the impression USMS wanted to shift in its hiring standards, and IMO it was pretty apparent

I hope you're right. Having seen more than 1 class and seeing previous trends, I am not that optimistic. Rarely do those running the show share the opinions of those of us on the street.


...and BNTF, may I suggest getting verified. You can go to either smcc360 or me.

[BNTF]

I'm hopeful it's a shift in the right direction. I know to treat the hiring process as cautiously optimistic at best, but I agree. Open the thing up to everyone, FCIP did that to an extent, I'm not certain many people were aware of it even though it was open to the public. I'm sure the next go around will be more promoted, either by the department or word of mouth.

Here's some advice for those waiting, and I'm sure you're heard it before. But really, you gotta put your name in it and then forget about it. You'll kill yourself. Have yourself ready physically, and let the rest (dart board monkey) take care of itself.

[borninblue]

I looked into applying to the Marshals when I was in college and there was only selective hiring tests being given, and I did not qualify. Well since then I have worked for a medium size P.D. for about 6 years, and was on the SWAT team for a few years. Having come across members of the Marshals task force and speaking with some of the deputies it seems perfect for my style. I mean, what can be better than hunting for fugitives all day and kicking in doors. I too am concerned about the pay cut ( I am currently at about 68,000 base). But I can take the cut while looking at the big picture. Any suggestions how to best leverage myself? I hear rumors about the application period opening up soon, but I prob call the local office to confirm first, unless any of you guys have some inside info.

[Switchback]

Call and ask for the recruiter in your local office. I have never followed the HR side of things. Like a lot of guys, you worry about the pay-cut. Bear in mind that the pay-cut that you are so concerned with would be fairly short-lived. With 6 years on in the Marshals, you should be close to $90k or so (depending on where you live)... and still have potential to make more.

[borninblue]

Thanks for your help, spoke with a recruiter today and got some really good info. Only downfall I see so far is that they are hiring for the region which is Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri. Would love Ohio, but I would have to convince the wife to relocation part if it's not open. All of this with wishful thinking that I get hired of course.

[borninblue]

One more thing how do the step increases go from one level to the next. Do u automatically get promoted one GS level every year? I am assuming the fourteens and fifteens are supervisors.

[BNTF]

New hires are going through a bit of a different step increase in comparison to the past. This from HR:
year 1 GS-5
year 2 GS-7
year 3 GS-9 step 1
year 4 GS-9 step 2
year 5 GS-9 step 3-upon completion of 9 step 3, you become 1811.

If you start out at a GS-7, then you have 4 years to make 1811, which is the boat I am in. I am not sure how/if this will hold up as it creates an even longer road to journeyman, but it is what it is. Take it or leave it as they say.

Right now, supervisors/inspectors are 13 and above. Journeyman is only a 12 in USMS. Looks like the big bosses are trying to change it, I know there's a big push for it. But the older deputies will tell you they heard the same thing over the years.

I hate to say it, but relocation is most likely going to be in the cards for someone who wants to come on the job. Especially if you're coming from the Midwest, as FCIP will probably not hire out of that area for a long time if ever- with the exception of Chicago, whose district was not included in the original 10 FCIP districts.

[Switchback]

HOLY CRAP! You could have an 8 year progression to journeyman?!?!?!?!?!?!

WOW! I guess I have not been paying attention to that crap for a long time. Ok.. it's official... no more HR-related questions for Switchback.