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Witness Protection Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Witness Coordinator

Providence, RI · On-site

$39.72 - $44.81/hr

Protect confidential witness and case information * Gather required documentation for travel, reimbursement, and witness files Coordination * Confer with Assistant United States Attorneys about ...

Protect confidential witness and case information * Gather required documentation for travel, reimbursement, and witness files Coordination * Confer with Assistant United States Attorneys about ...

Protect confidential witness and case information * Gather required documentation for travel, reimbursement, and witness files Coordination * Confer with Assistant United States Attorneys about ...

Witness Support Specialist

Providence, RI · On-site

$39.72 - $44.81/hr

Protect confidential witness and case information * Gather required documentation for travel, reimbursement, and witness files Coordination * Confer with Assistant United States Attorneys about ...

Assessment of legal aid requests, witness protection, witness/victim's psychological support, and when necessary, coordinating such tasks with other departments or external experts within the ethics ...

Victim Witness Adovcate

Salem, MA · On-site

$55 - $75/hr

Victim Witness Advocate A Victim Witness Advocate works under the supervision of the Chief and ... protected by federal or state anti-discrimination law. The Essex District Attorney's Office is ...

Victim Witness Advocate

Woburn, MA · On-site

$58K - $75K/yr

... protection, and relocation • Provide formal and informal education and training to criminal justice and community agencies regarding victim rights and victim witness services • Participate ...

VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCATE

Sonora, CA · On-site

$20.94 - $25.45/hr

This class is distinguished from the Victim Witness Services Supervisor in that the latter is a ... are protected; provides status updates to victims throughout case development. Functions as a ...

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Witness Protection information

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$10

$16

$27

How much do witness protection jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for witness protection in the United States is $16.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.94 and $16.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is witness protection?

Witness protection is a government program designed to protect individuals who testify as witnesses in criminal cases, especially those involving organized crime or serious offenses. Participants may receive new identities, relocation, and security measures to ensure their safety and that of their families. The goal is to encourage witnesses to testify without fear of retaliation. The program is typically managed by law enforcement agencies and may require participants to sever ties with their past lives. Entry into witness protection is voluntary and based on the level of risk involved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a witness protection specialist?

To thrive as a Witness Protection Specialist, you need a background in law enforcement or criminal justice, strong investigative abilities, and thorough knowledge of security protocols. Familiarity with surveillance technology, secure communication systems, and sometimes federal certifications such as those from the U.S. Marshals Service are typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, discretion, and the ability to remain calm under pressure set top professionals apart. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safety of witnesses and the integrity of legal proceedings.

What are the main challenges faced by professionals working in witness protection programs?

Professionals in witness protection often encounter challenges related to maintaining strict confidentiality, ensuring the safety of witnesses, and managing the stress of high-stakes situations. The role requires close coordination with law enforcement and legal teams, as well as the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances. Additionally, the work environment can be demanding, with irregular hours and the need for discretion, making resilience and strong communication skills essential for success.

What is the difference between Witness Protection vs Forensic Investigator?

AspectWitness Protection

Required CredentialsMinimal formal education; background checks
Work EnvironmentSecure, confidential settings; travel to safe locations
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, law enforcement
Common Search/ComparisonProtection, security, law enforcement roles

Witness Protection primarily involves safeguarding witnesses in criminal cases, focusing on security and confidentiality. Forensic Investigators analyze crime scenes and evidence, requiring specialized training and certifications. While both roles are within law enforcement, Witness Protection emphasizes security and confidentiality, whereas Forensic Investigators focus on evidence analysis. They serve different functions but are both vital to criminal justice.

How do you get into witness protection?

To enter witness protection, an individual must typically cooperate with law enforcement by providing crucial testimony or evidence in a criminal case. The process involves a formal referral from authorities, background checks, and acceptance into the program, which offers new identities and relocation for safety reasons.

How much do people get paid in witness protection?

Individuals in witness protection programs typically receive a stipend or salary that varies based on their previous occupation, security needs, and program requirements. Payments are often part of a comprehensive package that includes housing, security, and support services, but specific amounts are not publicly disclosed for security reasons.

What do people do in witness protection?

In witness protection, individuals are relocated to new environments to ensure their safety, often under new identities. They may receive security training, assistance with employment, and ongoing support from law enforcement agencies to prevent threats or retaliation.
More about Witness Protection jobs

What states have the most Witness Protection jobs?

States with the most job openings for Witness Protection jobs include:

Infographic showing various Witness Protection job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,524 per year, or $16.6 per hour.

$102K - $133K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Summary
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia's mission is to enforce the criminal laws of the United States and the District of Columbia, represent the interests of the United States in civil litigation, and respond to the public safety needs of the community by leading an effective, well-coordinated law enforcement effort that contributes to the overall goal of improving the quality of life in the District of Columbia.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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This Security Specialist (Witness Security) provides protection and relocation support for victims and witnesses who may be at risk. The position evaluates security concerns, coordinates services with law enforcement and other agencies, manages sensitive witness security cases, and ensures program requirements and records are properly maintained.
If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing Security Specialist (Witness Security) support in the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, located in Washington, District of Columbia, focusing in the areas of Threat Assessment and Witness Protection, Law Enforcement and Agency Coordination, and Case Management and Program Support.
Typical work assignments will include:
  • Reviewing and evaluating threats against victims and witnesses to determine risk levels and appropriate safety or protection measures.
  • Coordinating with Victim-Witness staff, government agencies, and community organizations to help victims and witnesses obtain needed social or mental health services.
  • Serving as the main point of contact for agencies assisting witnesses and providing guidance on Witness Security Program procedures and services.
  • Reviewing monthly credit card charges and providing financial information to ensure payments and accounts are accurate.
  • Preparing and maintaining complete, accurate, and audit-ready reports, case files, and records for investigative, prosecutorial, and court purposes.

This position is also being announced to all US Citizens and Nationals under 26-DC-13048537-DE.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a United States Citizen or National to apply for this position.
  • Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
  • A probationary period may be required.
  • If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
  • Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents).
  • Time-in-Grade: Current or former Federal employees applying under merit promotion considerations must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements for consideration within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.
  • You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.
  • As needed, additional selections may be made using this announcement.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying:
To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess:
Specialized Experience:
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (3) of the (4) duties listed below:
  • Using investigative methods, conducting interviews, and reviewing information to assess threats and determine appropriate safety measures for victims or witnesses.
  • Working with law enforcement officials, attorneys, correctional facilities, or other criminal justice organizations to coordinate security, protection, or relocation services.
  • Using automated databases to conduct criminal history, warrant, or other background checks related to security cases.
  • Preparing and maintaining sensitive security case records, reports, and documentation and ensuring cases meet established program requirements.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level.
  • You must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted; recommended SF-50s include promotions and step increases (within grade increases).

Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Justice requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a clearance as a condition of placement in this Top Secret/Special Sensitive-High Risk position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility, click here.
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. Additional information about CTAP eligibility, click here.
Special Hiring Authorities for Military Spouse and Family Members: FedsHireVets - OPM.gov
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments: Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.