Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Knowledge of, and compliance with, the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
- Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work in the United States.
- New officers will attend a six-week training academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, South Carolina within the first year of employment.
- Applicants may be required to submit to job-related testing and/or writing assessments as part of the screening process.
- A valid driver's license is required.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position, is required.
To Qualify for CL-25 ($51,419 - $90,804), the selected candidate must have:
- One (1) year of specialized experience; Or
- Completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and an overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0.
To Qualify for CL-27 ($59,732 - 107,101), the selected candidate must have:
- Two (2) years of specialized experience; Or
- Completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
To Qualify for CL-28 ($71,583 - $128,385), the selected candidate must have:
- Two (2) years of specialized experience;
Specialized Experience:
Progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, or mental health.
Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
Preferred Qualifications
- Documented experience conducting presentence investigations and preparing presentence reports and/or maintaining a caseload, enforcing court ordered supervision conditions, and implementing supervision strategies.
- Experience with evidence-based practices a plus.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Superior attention to detail.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work schedule and work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to work under pressure of short deadlines while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.
- Fluency in a foreign language a plus.
- Previous community corrections and/or social services experience is preferred for entry level (CL 25) consideration.
Physical Requirements
The duties of probation and pretrial services officers require the investigation and management of alleged criminal offenders or convicted offenders who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these offenders, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary for officer safety, and use of self-defense tactics. Candidates must be physically capable to perform these duties.
Maximum Entry Age
First time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement officer retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. Applicants 37 or over who have previous federal law enforcement officer experience under the Federal Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System and who have either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer position may have their previous law enforcement officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.
Medical Examination, Drug Screening and Background Investigations
First time appointees to the position of U.S. Probation Officer must undergo an extensive federal background investigation. Further, prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a medical examination and drug screening. (
*Regardless of applicable state laws, marijuana remains a prohibited substance under federal law and is included in drug testing.) Upon successful completion and clearance of the medical examination, drug screening, and a preliminary background check (which includes FBI fingerprinting, credit check, and a criminal history/driving record check), the selectee may be appointed provisionally.
In addition, as a condition of continued employment, incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigations every five years, and, as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations.
U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Employment Suitability Requirements
Education
Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position, is required.
Additional information
- The U.S. Probation Office is part of the Federal Judiciary. Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments and are considered "at-will" employees.
- All information provided by applicant is subject to verification. False statements or omissions of information on any application materials or inability to meet conditions of employment may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
- This office will contact references, including former employers, for top candidates. The Court reserves the right to contact additional references other than those provided by the applicant.
- Travel reimbursement in connection with the selection process and/or relocation is not authorized.
- More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
- The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the job announcement, any of which actions may occur without any prior written notice. If a subsequent vacancy becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the Chief Probation Officer may elect to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool without further advertising.
- If you need assistance, please email our HR Department at HR_Probation@miwp.uscourts.gov.
- No emails or calls on the status of applications, please.
- For more information on U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services visit:
The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the Western District of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.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.
- Voluntary participation in Federal Employees' Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Flexible Spending Plans/Programs.
- Participation in the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) Annuity (Pension) Plan.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a 401(k) styled program with a government match of up to 5%.
- Paid Federal Holidays.
- Annual and Sick Leave Accrual.
- Parking.
- Employee Assistance Program & Work Life Services.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program (must meet qualifying student loan criteria.)
For more information about Federal Judiciary benefits, please visit: Benefits