Duties
U.S. Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and assist in the administration of justice and promote community safety, gather information, supervise persons under supervision, interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports, conduct investigations, and present recommendations to the court.
- Conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations to the court. Interview offenders/defendants and their families and collect background data from various sources. Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law, as applicable.
- Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders. 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 or violation proceedings through assessment, monitoring, and counseling. Refer defendants/offenders to appropriate outside agencies such as medical and drug treatment facilities, employment, and training.
- Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serve as a resource to the court.
- Maintain detailed written records of case activity.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Medical Requirements
The duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of alleged criminal defendants or convicted persons 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 to operate a firearm, and use of self-defense 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 suspected or convicted of committing federal offenses. The medical requirements for law enforcement officer and officer assistant positions are available for public review on the USCourts.gov website under Officer and Officer Assistant Medical Requirements.
Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the selectee may then 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 screenings, updated background investigations every five years, and as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations.
Background Investigation
A high-sensitive background investigation with law enforcement agencies, including fingerprint and criminal record checks, will be conducted as a condition of employment. Any applicant selected for a position will be hired provisionally pending successful completion of the background investigation, drug screen, and medical examination. Unsatisfactory results may result in termination of employment. Judicial employees are required to adhere to the court's Code of Conduct, available for public review on the USCourts.gov website.
Training
Probation officers receive extensive local training and are also required to successfully complete a six-week national training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, South Carolina.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience
Progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, 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 considered specialized experience. Also, any volunteer or unpaid internship experience obtained prior to the completion of a bachelor's degree is not considered specialized experience.
CL-27: Two 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.
CL-28: Two years of specialized experience.
Education
To qualify for the position of U.S. Probation Officer at CL-27 or CL-28, the applicant must be a college graduate with 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 and is required for all probation officer positions.
Benefits
- 13 days paid vacation for each of the first three year
- 20 days paid vacation annually after three years
- 26 days paid vacation annually after 15 years
- 13 days paid sick leave annually
- 11 paid federal holidays
- Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System, which is a lifetime pension payable after as few as 20 years' service as a federal law enforcement officer.
- Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with 100% government match on up to 5% of compensation.
- Health, Dental, Vision, and Group Life Plans
- Participation in the Flexible Benefits Program for Health and Dependent Care
- Up to 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave per year for eligible employees with qualifying event.
- Employee Recognition Program
- Access to National Judiciary Training programs
- Participation in Federal Occupational Health (FOH)/Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Student loan forgiveness for qualified individuals, pursuant to the terms of the PSLF program
Illustration of a total compensation package of this position at target grade and starting full performance range with family health coverage through BCBS and contributing 5% to TSP.
Salary $88,621
Health Insurance $18,569
Pension $32,258
TSP Match $4,431
Total Value: $143,879
Review our benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated initially against their experience and educational background to determine if they meet minimum qualifications. Eligible applicants will be screened and rated as to experience, education, and training. Applicants may be required to respond to written assignments and undergo testing during the selection process. One to two interviews may be conducted during the selection process either virtually or in person, or a combination of both.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, applicants must submit the "Required Documents" listed above in a single Adobe PDF document via email to hr@wyp.uscourts.gov.
Next steps
The U.S. Probation Office reserves the right to modify or withdraw this job announcement without prior written notice. One or more positions may be filled from this vacancy announcement. Due to the volume of applications received, the court may only communicate to those individuals selected for an interview. Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work for the United States Government.
The Federal Judiciary is an Equal Opportunity Employer.