Duties
As a Pretrial Services Officer, you will:
1. Perform assessments of defendants and clients who are referred by the court.
2. Interview and evaluate defendants pending release to determine eligibility for placement in a community supervision program while in pretrial or post-conviction show cause status.
3. Gather and verify information and research relevant automated systems to obtain criminal justice history.
4. Supervise defendants following release and intervene as necessary to ensure compliance with pretrial obligations.
5. Develop individualized supervision plans and review conditions of release and program participation requirements with defendants.
6. Prepare and maintain electronic records of case activity, regular statistical reports and other reports in accordance with PSA policy and procedures.
7. Represent the Pretrial Services Agency, testifying when necessary or submitting reports to court on the defendant's pretrial compliance and program participation.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This is a law enforcement position.
Maximum Entry Age: This position is covered under the special provision for law enforcement retirement. By law, applicants for such law enforcement positions must be between 21 and 37 years old to be considered for initial appointment (that is, first appointment to a federal law enforcement position). The maximum age for entry on duty in a law enforcement covered position is the date immediately proceeding the applicant's 37th birthday except for veterans' preference eligibles.
APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE DATE OF BIRTH!!!!!!!!!
A candidate appointed at a lower grade level may be promoted up to the full performance level without further competition.
Bargaining Unit Status and Chapter: Covered, AFGE Local 1456
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Conditions of Employment
1. Must be a U.S. Citizen
2. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
3. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
4. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period, if not already completed
5. All applicants are subject to a comprehensive criminal background investigation, and required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment
6. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
7. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
HOURS: The incumbent of this position will be required to work in shifts or at unusual hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Telework: PSA supports the use of telework to help attract and retain individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework based on supervisory approval and in accordance with the Agency's telework policy.
Virtual Position: This position is NOT eligible for remote work.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic professional requirements, and specialized experience requirement below.
Basic Professional Requirement: This position requires a four year degree in behavioral or social science or other related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience that provides you with the knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field; OR four years of appropriate experience that demonstrates that you have knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
To qualify at the GL-9 level, applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as working with individuals in a criminal justice environment explaining procedures and obtaining information; interviewing, monitoring, and evaluating clients; assessing clients; making recommendations in court; routine use of computer applications and/or law enforcement or comparable database systems.
Substitution of Education for Experience for GL-9: Two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as working with individuals in a criminal justice environment explaining procedures and obtaining information; managing, interviewing, monitoring, and evaluating clients; assessing clients; making recommendations in court; managing caseloads; expert use of computer applications and/or law enforcement or comparable database systems.
Substitution of Education for Experience for GS-11: Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as working with individuals in a criminal justice environment explaining procedures and obtaining information independent of supervisory assistance; researching criminal history; supervising, interviewing, monitoring, and evaluating clients; assessing clients; making recommendations in court; managing complex caseloads; expert use of computer applications and/or law enforcement or comparable database systems.
NOTE: Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the experience requirements will result in an "Ineligible" rating.
Education
There is education substitution at the 9 and 11 grade levels.
ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation
Transcripts must be received on or before the closing date of this announcement.
Benefits
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.
Review our benefits
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your rating will be based on your responses to the job specific information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly show how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities will result in a rating of "Qualified" by the rating panel.
1. Knowledge of pretrial, diagnostic, supervision, treatment policies, procedures and processing and/or supervision case management of individuals in the criminal justice system.
2. Ability to write clear and concise reports and interact with internal PSA staff and external stakeholders who work in the criminal justice system.
3. Experience in using law enforcement, court and case management computer systems to perform research and produce reports for the assessment and supervision of defendants, offenders, or persons involved in the criminal justice system.
Once the application process is completed, your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the job requirements. You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your resume will be forwarded to a panel for rating. Category Rating will be used to evaluate applicants using the following categories to further determine which applicants will be referred to the selecting official for final consideration.
Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level on all evaluation criteria.
Well Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level on evaluation criteria.
Qualified: Applicants possessing the specialized experience described above.
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans' preference above non-veterans within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements, and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the highest quality category (Best Qualified), except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date (12/27/2024) to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
- You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
- You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
- To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Division of Defendant Engagement and System Support at (202) 220-5681 or Nehdene.Williams@psa.gov to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.
Next steps
Once the on-line application and supporting documents are received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.