Navigating the Path: US Marshals Internship Requirements and Opportunities

The United States Marshals Service (USMS), as the nation's oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency, offers a range of internship opportunities for students seeking real-world experience in the justice system. These internships provide invaluable exposure to the workings of a government agency and can be a stepping stone to future career prospects. This article will comprehensively explore the requirements, opportunities, and benefits of pursuing a US Marshals internship.

Introduction: The US Marshals Service and Its Mission

The Marshals Service occupies a uniquely central position in the federal justice system. It was the first federal law enforcement agency in the United States. With a broad law enforcement authority and judicial security responsibilities, the Marshals Service carries out hundreds of special missions. The Marshals Service requires the expertise and dedicated work of a diverse staff of administrative personnel to meet its mission requirements.

The USMS plays a critical role in:

Conducting fugitive investigations and apprehending more federal fugitives than all other law enforcement agencies combined.
Apprehending foreign fugitives believed to be in the United States and locating and extraditing American fugitives who flee to foreign countries.
Managing the Justice Prisoner Air Transportation System (JPATS), one of the largest transporters of prisoners in the world.
Housing over 55,000 detainees in federal, state, local, and private jails.
Ensuring the safety of witnesses who risk their lives testifying for the government.
Managing and disposing of seized and forfeited properties acquired by criminals.
Investigating violations of federal sex offender registration laws.

Eligibility Criteria for US Marshals Internships

To be eligible for a US Marshals internship, students must generally meet the following criteria:

Academic Standing: Students pursuing Criminal Justice courses must have completed all required core classes. Graduate students must have completed all required courses.
Coursework: Students must need two upper division CJ electives to be eligible. Up to 6 upper level elective credits in CJ (3 for each semester) for undergraduates.
Application Process: Students must submit an application prior to meeting with the Internship Coordinator. Once the application is reviewed, a meeting will be scheduled if the student meets the minimum qualification criteria. Students must submit an application to the internship coordinator, Dr. Additional paperwork may be required by particular agencies. All agencies will require a completed agency application which will be provided depending on eligibility and background check. Once accepted for an internship by the agency, agency acceptance documents must be submitted to the Internship Coordinator.
Background Check: All agencies will require a completed application and background check.
Selective Service Registration: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
General Qualities: In general, interns should possess demonstrated academic achievement; ability and willingness to work closely with others; flexibility; self-sustaining motivation and initiative; and impeccable trustworthiness, discretion, and maturity.
Work Schedule: Preference will be given to applicants prepared to work eight-hour days, five days per week.

The Internship Program: Structure and Opportunities

The USMS Student Volunteer Internship Program is offered for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters of each year. This program provides student volunteers with an opportunity centered in real-world work experience with a government agency. It is offered for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The program is designed to provide some flexibility to meet high school, college or graduate academic needs by offering practical and technical opportunities throughout our Department's four bureaus: the Office of the Superintendent, the Field Operations Bureau, the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and the Support Services Bureau.

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Program Structure

Duration: This is a one or two semester internship program depending on the agency (3 hours of credit each semester). Interns selected for the fall and spring terms should plan to work for 16 weeks.
Location: Marshals Service Headquarters and local District or Division offices in the field. Individual Districts (except for DC District Court and DC Superior Court) handle their own student volunteer internships. The Student Volunteer Internship Program may be available at the District field office of your choosing upon request. Marshals Service Headquarters is located in Arlington, VA (part of the Washington, DC Metropolitan area).
Volunteer Basis: We only offer volunteer intern hours (unpaid) at this time.

Available Opportunities

Interns at the USMS may have the opportunity to:

Work on projects related to fugitive investigations, prisoner transportation, witness security, or asset forfeiture.
Assist with administrative tasks and support functions.
Attend information sessions and meet with executive officers.
Go on field trips to gain firsthand experience of the agency's operations.

Nyla Souffrant, a political science and international affairs major at the University of Georgia, noted, “It’s a lot more than just administrative work. Here, I get to be hands-on with what I actually want to do career-wise." Alexander Williams, a biology and history student at Yale University, added, “It’s absolutely worth getting involved because it’s so hands-on.”

Benefits of a US Marshals Internship

A US Marshals internship offers numerous benefits for students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or the justice system:

Real-World Experience: Interns gain practical experience in a government agency, applying their academic knowledge to real-world situations.
Career Development: The internship program can lead to permanent employment opportunities within the agency. Jonathan Ocana, Chief Diversity Officer, stated, “There are countless executives who have been here for close to 20 years, and they talk about having an internship experience here."
Networking: Interns have the opportunity to meet and network with professionals in the field, building valuable connections for their future careers.
Skill Enhancement: Interns develop and enhance essential skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
Exposure to the Justice System: The internship provides a comprehensive understanding of the federal justice system and the role of the US Marshals Service within it.
SmartBenefits Transit Subsidy: Internship Program participants are eligible for the SmartBenefits transit subsidy.

Beyond the Marshals Service: Exploring Other Internship Opportunities

While this article primarily focuses on US Marshals internships, it's worth noting that various other internship opportunities exist within the broader justice system and related fields. These include internships with:

The Supreme Court of the United States: The Supreme Court Internship Program offers valuable exposure to work in a professional environment. Interns have responsibilities wholly distinct from the case work of the Supreme Court and do not work directly with the Justices or on cases pending before the Court. Interns may be assigned to provide support to other Court offices as necessary.
The Maryland State Police: This program is designed to meet both the academic and career objectives of students while providing useful administrative and operational support services to the Maryland State Police. Must be at least 16 years old and must be attending or be a recent graduate from a high school, college or graduate school. Must obtain a letter from their educational institution requesting to participate in the internship program before the intern completes an application.

These internships, while distinct from the US Marshals Service, offer similar benefits in terms of real-world experience, career development, and skill enhancement.

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Life as a US Marshal: Career Paths and Opportunities

While an internship can be a valuable stepping stone, it's also important to understand the broader career paths available within the US Marshals Service.

Detention Enforcement Officer (DEO)

Detention Enforcement Officers (DEOs) (1802s) are responsible for the care of prisoners in USMS custody. DEOs can be seen transporting, booking and securing federal prisoners while in USMS custody. Detention Enforcement Officer positions are available within any of the 94 districts throughout the continental United States. The available duty location(s) will be listed on the posted job announcement.

General Information

Job Postings: Marshal Positions are ONLY accepted through the USAJOBS site during posted announcement open periods. Marshals Service job postings.
Duty Station: Marshals positions may be placed within any of the 94 districts throughout the continental United States. All candidates are required to remain at their initial duty station for a minimum of three years.
Training: Marshals Service Training Academy in Glynco, GA.
Retirement: Federal law enforcement officers are eligible for retirement after 25 years of service or at 50 years old, with 20 years of service. The mandatory retirement age is 57, once 20 years of service is completed.
Employee Assistance Program: Employee Assistance Program is a confidential, voluntary program designed to help employees and their family members resolve problems that may occur on or off the job.
Salary and Benefits: Marshals Service is provided in Federal Employee Schedules and Locality Pay Tables. Employees may be eligible for various forms of premium pay which is compensation provided for working certain types of hours or under certain conditions.

The USMS and JPATS: Transporting Justice

The Justice Prisoner Air Transportation System (JPATS), managed by the US Marshals, plays a vital role in the American Justice System. JPATS' mission is to transport federal prisoners in support of the American Justice System, military and State and local Government prisoners. The Marshals created an efficient and effective system for transporting prisoners and criminal aliens. As one of the largest transporters of prisoners in the world, JPATS handles more than 1,070 requests every day to move prisoners between judicial districts, correctional institutions, and foreign countries.

International Reach: USMS Foreign Field Offices

In support of its international fugitive investigative mission, the USMS has established foreign field offices in Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The Marshals also maintains successful law enforcement liaison programs along the borders of Mexico and Canada. This international presence underscores the agency's commitment to apprehending fugitives and ensuring justice is served, regardless of borders.

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