just wondering about us marshal

[gettingold]

just kind of wondering if there is anyone with us marshal experience that i could ask some questions. i'm currently a probation/parole officer for NC and have been for about 10 years. i figure i'm getting to the age where i need to do something if i want a change. thx in advance.

[cobravenom1]

The hiring process is forever. I started back in 04/2002 with the test (NOR score 92). Interview was in 02/2003. Turned in Background information 04/2003. Medical completed 04/2003. Physical Fitness test completed 05/03. Drug testing done 08/03.
Presently trying to convince the USMS Human Resources Department that the credit report they pulled up was not mine since 12/03 (wrong SSN# inputed). My 37th birthday is in 06/2004. I started this process when I was 35 years old and two months out of the military. Now I work for the government (DHS) making three times the amount a GS-5 step 5 with the 18.57% locality pay a USMS Deputy's base salary would be for LA County if I got hired as such.
At the present time the USMS is not administering public testing in accordance with the website. My USMS local office contact thinks that when the USMS has a supporting budget that may change.
Good luck and be patient.

[Switchback]

I wouldn't say that the hiring process takes forever. IT really depends on several factors such as the complexity of a person's background, where a person stacks relative to others in the process (competitiveness), etc.

Be careful comparing pay, as you may be comparing apples to oranges (as I imagine cobravenom is). It would harldy be fair to compare my 1811 salary to that of a series 082 Deputy (the series that is being hired right now).

If you are competitive for an 1811 salary, the DUSM 082 slot may not be for you. It pays far less than an 1811 slot and tends to do mostly prisoner-related duties (court, transport, cellblock, etc.) The 082s can assist 1811s with investigations, but that part of the job is certainly not their "meat and potatoes". If you are patient and can tolerate the lower pay (and really want to be a Deputy U.S. Marshal), then the 082 is not a bad foot in the door, as (for now) 1811s are hired from the 082 pool.

Sadly, if you are not the most qualified 1811 candidate (and having difficulty getting that so-desired 1811 slot), the 082 is a decent way in. The small pool of 082s putting in for the 1811 slots makes competition far less than one would face applying to 1811 slots for other agencies. This is because the most qualified 1811 candidates hardly want to sit in court for a fraction of 1811 pay (as an 082) to wait for an 1811 position.

I say sadly, because the quality of 1811 candidates in the USMS has gone down since this hiring procedure was enacted. If the announcements were opened to the public, competition would be much higher, the agency could be more particular and better qualified 1811s would be the norm.

Don't get me wrong, we are still getting some good 1811s, but you can tell the difference (less have degrees and/or experience as an arrest-making LEO coming into the job).