Requirements
Conditions of employment
Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
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 prior federal law enforcement officer experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or Federal Employees' Retirement System and who have a subsequent break in service may have their previous federal law enforcement experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.
MEDICAL AND BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:
The duties of U.S. Probation Officers require the investigation and management of persons under supervision who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these persons, 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-defensive tactics. On a daily basis, officers face unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are charged with criminal offenses or convicted of committing federal offenses.
The medical requirements for law enforcement officer positions are available for public review on www.uscourts.gov by searching for Officer and Officer Assistant Medical Requirements. Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a medical examination, complete a ten-year background investigation and a drug screening. Upon successful completion of all components, the selectee will be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the Court. In addition, as conditions of employment, the 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.
Qualifications
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Applicants must possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relation skills involved in the position. In addition to possessing a four-year degree, applicants must also have two years of specialized experience or the completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Specialized experience is defined as 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. Experience as a police officer, custodial or security officer, without any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
Additionally, transfer applicants must be current Federal Probation/Pretrial Services Officers in good standing, to include consistent, high quality past job experience.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience as a probation officer on a federal, state or county level is desirable.
- Knowledge of federal law and the criminal justice system and how it relates to the roles and functions of a United States Probation Officer.
- Strong familiarity with techniques in supervising persons under supervision. Skill in working with violent and/or difficult individuals and implementing negotiation and motivation techniques.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Superior attention to detail.
- Knowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other investigative databases.
Education
Applicants must possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relation skills involved in the position.
Additional information
- Employees of United States Probation Department are not covered by the Office of Personnel Management's civil service classification system or regulations.
- Employees of the United States Probation Department are Judicial Branch employees under the United States Courts. Judicial employees serve under an "excepted appointment," and are considered "at-will" employees.
- Probation Officers participate in the Federal Law Enforcement Hazardous Duty Retirement program.
- Creditable time in service in other federal agencies, or the military, will be added to judiciary employment when computing employee benefits.
- Positions are subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit).
- The U.S. Probation Department reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the preference date, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
THE UNITED STATES COURTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERCandidates 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.
The Federal Benefits package includes, but is not limited to:
- Paid Annual Leave
- Paid Sick Leave
- 11 Paid Holidays
- Retirement Benefits
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a 401(k)-styled program with a government match of up to 5%
- Health Insurance
- Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Flexible Benefits Program which includes medical and dependent care
Review our benefits
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 supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.