Supervisory Pretrial Services Officer (Unit Chief) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 25-40(IMP) Department Pretrial Services Agency
Salary $142,488.00 to $185,234.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/15/2025 Close Date 7/22/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Division of Defendant Engagement and System Support (DESS) is recruiting for a Supervisory Pretrial Services Officer (Unit Chief) who independently works to ensure that unit goals and objectives are met.

If you enjoy working with criminal justice stakeholders and want to promote public safety, this job is for you!

This is a secondary law enforcement position for eligible applicants (See the Requirement Section).

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Internal to Pretrial Services Agency and Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency employees only.

Duties

As a Supervisory Pretrial Services Officer (Unit Chief), you will:

1. Manage a unit responsible for one or more of the following functions: diagnostic, assessment and investigation services; drug testing specimen collection; defendant supervision; assessment and case planning for persons charged with violations of criminal, traffic and regulatory codes; monitoring of compliance with release conditions and preparation of reports to judicial officers; and quality assurance programs for defendants awaiting trial and/or sentencing in D.C. Superior Court and/or U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

2. Conduct routine evaluations of unit operations to identify opportunities to strengthen unit and Defendant Engagement and System Support's (DESS) policies and procedures; Participate in the development of policies, and guidance for the Defendant Engagement and System Support.

3. Manage subordinate staff working under the direction of team supervisors. Plan and assign work, delegate responsibility, and establish priorities. Administer leave policies and programs in accordance with affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and collective bargaining requirements. Counsel employees on performance and administrative issues. Interview candidates for positions and recommend or take personnel actions. Establish performance standards and evaluate performance and overall effectiveness in meeting unit, and agency goals and objectives.

4. Develop and implement required policies and procedures for unit planning and administration, ensuring that unit parameters and standards are met. Develop and implement systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of services. Recommend evaluation measures for the unit. Produce or oversee the production of a variety of statistical and narrative reports on unit activities; defendant population, to include defendant progress; and similar issues. Develop projections of unit needs and participate in resource planning and budget development. Perform budget development and execution activities for the unit, assuring that resources are acquired and managed in accordance with relevant policy and procedures.

5. Provide oversight to ensure quality assessment and assurance protocols are implemented to determine the effectiveness and or efficiency of unit programs and services and identify means of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of unit services.

6. Represent PSA in forums relating to Unit programs. Serve as liaison with judges, local and federal agencies, and members of the community, the U.S. Attorney's Office and defense attorneys on matters relating to the unit or Defendant Engagement and System Support. Provide reports and information explaining unit policy. Develop Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) for partnerships with other organizations. Work in conjunction with other units and coordinate functions across unit offices.

7. Develop contract specifications, statements of work and other pre-award documents for unit contracts. Participate in the pre-award process and in final selection of contractors. Recommend contract actions, such as modification or termination, and work with staff of the Office of Finance and Administration to effect action. Integrate contractor-provided services with those provided by in-house staff, manage contracts and assure compliance with requirements.

8. Implement policies and procedures to ensure that court documents, reports, recommendations and other information for the court are prepared in a timely and accurate manner and are responsive to established requirements. Ensure that staff attends judicial proceedings, testify as required and provide assistance to court officers in areas related to PSA and/or unit policy. Personally testify on unprecedented or controversial cases, explaining PSA and/or unit policy and defending recommendations.

9. Oversee automated systems used within the unit and ensure that staff correctly applies rules of confidentiality in maintenance, protection and release of records consistent with policy and regulatory mandates. Identify problems with systems or changes needed for unit support and recommend changes to information technology staff.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies

Bargaining Unit Status: Not Covered, AFGE Local 1456

This position is designated as a secondary law enforcement position for purposes of coverage by the law enforcement retirement provisions. Only candidates who have at least three (3) years of current federal services in primary law enforcement officer positions OR current federal service in a secondary law enforcement position are eligible for law enforcement retirement coverage while occupying this position. A selected candidate who does not have the required service under federal law enforcement retirement provisions will be expected to sign a statement acknowledging that he/she will not be covered by law enforcement retirement.

Condition of Employment

1. Maybe required to successfully complete a probationary period, if not already completed
2. Position may be subject to random drug testing
3. Status applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level.
4. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the close of this announcement
5. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

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 for 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 demonstrate that you have knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field; AND

Specialized Experience: To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience supervising and/or managing staff in the delivery of pretrial diagnostic, supervision or treatment services to individuals in the criminal justice system; directing and managing staff to ensure that all assigned work is completed timely and accurately; and regular communication with internal and external PSA stakeholders.

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 no education substitution at this grade level.

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

Additional information

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

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 diagnostic, supervision and treatment services, and quality management programs in the criminal justice system.

2. Skill in managing people by fostering the development of others, mentoring and coaching staff, and setting expected performance levels for staff.

3. Skill in managing human, financial, quality management and information technology resources strategically through planning, resource allocation, business processes, and effective management of human capital.

4. Demonstrated ability to analyze business processes and develop long-range plans, goals, objectives for major agency programs with consideration of cost effectiveness, attainment of goals, objectives and compliance with legal, regulatory and agency procedural guidelines.

5. Skill in written and verbal communication with internal staff and external stakeholders including the courts and law enforcement, government and community agencies.

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, job- related awards and supervisory appraisal of performance. 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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume listing hours worked per week, salary, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (non- award)
3. Other supporting documents:

  • College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Transcripts must include the school's name, student's name, degree and date awarded, if applicable. (Note: If you are selected for the position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day) May be required to satisfy the basic professional requirement.
  • Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.

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

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date (07/22/2025) 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 Defendant Engagement and System Support at (202) 220-5586 or Tara.Stoney@psa.gov to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.

Agency contact information

Tara Stoney
Address
Defendant Engagement and System Support
633 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
US

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.


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


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