Summary
By statute, probation officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and assist in the administration of justice. They promote community safety, gather information, supervise defendants/persons under supervision during traditional and non-traditional hours, interact with other agencies, conduct investigations, prepare reports, and present recommendations to the court.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open until filled.
Duties
Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the court with recommendations, which requires interviewing defendants, persons under supervision, and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law. Track legal developments, and update staff and the court.
Enforce court-ordered supervision conditions and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and persons under supervision. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment through assessment, monitoring, and counseling or initiate violation proceedings.
Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of defendants or persons under supervision, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications (if warranted). Serve as a resource to the court. Maintain detailed written records of case activity.
Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Responsible for enforcement of home confinement conditions ordered by the court and perform home confinement reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons.
Analyze and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess the level of risk for defendants or persons under supervision and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risk management.
Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning the behavior and conditions of supervision for defendants and persons under supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at court or parole hearings. Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews. Knowledge of, and compliance with court confidentiality requirements. Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
Other duties as assigned.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be United States Citizens or eligible to work in the United States and have a valid driver's license. Applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment, undergo a criminal background check, a medical examination and drug screening. The selectee may then be appointed provisionally, pending an extensive government background investigation. Probation officers are subject to ongoing random drug screening as well as updated background investigations every 5 years.
Probation officers must successfully complete a 6-week national training program at the United States Courts National Training Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, South Carolina.
All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
All employees are required to be COVID-19 vaccinated or have medical or religious waiver documentation.
All information provided by applicants is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the conditions/requirements may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
Qualifications
Applicants must have at least 1-year progressively responsible experience gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, work in substance/addiction treatment. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience is not creditable.
Court- Preferred Skills, Education, And Experience:
- Excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Must be computer literate.
- Ability to analyze relevant information and prepare an accurate written summary of technical information in an organized, objective, clear and concise manner.
Personal Attributes and Skills:
Successful candidates must be mature and highly organized; must possess integrity, tact, good judgment, poise, and initiative; and must always maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. The ability to meet the public and work harmoniously with others is required.
Education
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or business or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please read the "Next steps" section for more information.
Cover Letter & Resume.
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.
Email cover letter and resume to: applications@mdp.uscourts.gov
Next steps
All applications will be reviewed and only the most qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. The agency is not authorized to reimburse travel expenses related to an interview or to pay relocation expenses.
Candidates selected for an interview will be required to participate in job-related testing as part of the screening process. Multiple positions may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
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