Probation and Pretrial Services Technician (Temporary) Job in Alexandria, VA

Vacancy No. 25-P004A Department U.S. Courts
Salary $45,720.00 to $74,330.00 Grade 23 to 24
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/29/2025 Close Date 6/20/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Alexandria, VA


Summary

The U.S. Probation Office of the Eastern District of Virginia has an unwavering commitment to recruit, maintain and retain a diverse workforce with the aim that every one of our people has a full sense of belonging within our organization. It is our belief that a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment will help us better serve our communities and carry out our mission.

Duties

The Probation and Pretrial Services Technician provides technical, administrative, and clerical support to probation officers and officer assistants in a wide range of areas, including assisting with conducting investigations, compiling criminal histories, coordinating with collateral agencies, and performing other similar duties, as assigned. This position makes recommendations and some decisions regarding the investigation and supervision of a select lower-risk caseload of offenders.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct case file reviews and advise officers and officer assistants of matters needing their attention. Make chronological entries in supervision case records. Conduct records research and retrieval via telephone or mail to obtain required documentation. Set up new supervision case records and perform various file management tasks. Assist officers in responding to collateral requests for information. Assemble and process information to the Sentencing Commission. Keep various logs and records up to date.
  • Format, type, edit, and finalize reports and correspondence from rough drafts using word processing equipment.
  • Conduct urinalysis and maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results and inform probation officers of test results.
  • Complete various standard forms for submission to the court and legal counsel using information provided by officers, including petitions, orders to the court, and similar documents.
  • Operate the local/state law enforcement information retrieval system and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) terminals to obtain criminal history information and route the information to appropriate recipients. Obtain fingerprint and credit checks, verifications of employment and education, and send FBI flash notices.
  • Open, close, and update information into computerized records, including the Probation Automated Case Tracking Systems (PACTS). Research information from case records and enter into system as appropriate. Screen forms completed by officers and officer assistants and request corrections as needed. Retrieve information from databases and generate periodic reports.
  • Participate in problem solving at staff meetings with other support staff, officers, and officer assistants. Make constructive suggestions for improvement in work processes to better achieve goals and objectives. Periodically act as administrative and clerical facilitator to distribute/redistribute work and optimize office support operations, as required.
  • Provide general clerical office support by performing any or all the following tasks: Answer telephones and take messages; copy and distribute documents; send and receive faxes and electronic mail messages; process travel and expense reimbursement documents; receive and distribute mail; attend meetings and take minutes; provide reception assistance; order and store office supplies; assist officers and officer assistants with word processing or other computer matters.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Employees must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.
  • Employees will be hired provisionally pending the results of a background investigation.
  • Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
  • Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.
  • Positions with the United States Probation and Pretrial Office are Excepted Service appointments. Excepted service appointments are "At-Will" and can be terminated with or without cause by the Court.

Qualifications

General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the knowledge and skills needed to perform the position's duties.

For placement at CL-24, Step 1: One year of specialized experience. Consideration for placement at Step 2 - 25: Two years of specialized experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation. Such experience is commonly encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations.

Education

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in such fields as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business, or public administration. Relevant experience - paid or unpaid- in the legal, justice, law enforcement, or court sectors. This background may include working directly with legal professionals, assisting in judicial proceedings, engaging in law enforcement operations, or supporting court administration.

Additional information

To view the full job announcement, please visit our website at: https://www.vaep.uscourts.gov/sites/vaep/files/25-P004A%20Probation%20Support%20Technician%20JA.pdf

The United States Probation and Pretrial Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and support documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If your complete application meets the basic qualifications, it will be forwarded to the hiring official for further consideration and scored on your level of experience and competencies needed to perform the duties of the position.

Required Documents

  • a cover letter*
  • a current detailed resume (including training that you have completed, and certifications obtained)
  • AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment, https://www.vaep.uscourts.gov/ or https://www.uscourts.gov/)
  • title the pdf document as follows: Last Name- First Name-25-P004A
*The cover letter should include the following information; however, not exceed two pages:
  • the vacancy announcement number 25-P004A
  • why you are interested in the position
  • overall qualities and strengths that you will bring to the position
  • describe your core values

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

  • Interested applicants must submit all required documents in a single pdf to vaep_jobs@vaep.uscourts.gov by June 20, 2025. Applications received before June 13, 2025, will be given priority consideration.

Agency contact information

Human Resources
Address
US District Court and US Probation Office - Eastern District of Virginia
600 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
US

Next steps

Applicants who receive the highest ratings will be contacted for an interview. Other applicants will not be contacted.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements