The current projected placement for this position is the Presentence Investigation Unit. The primary duties of United States Probation Officers in this unit include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct presentence investigations, prepare written reports for the Court, which includes accurate calculation of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and make recommendations to the Court.
• Interview defendants and their families and collect 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, the United States Sentencing Guidelines, Guide to Judiciary Policy, and relevant case law.
• Respond to judicial officer's requests for information and advice.
• Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications.
• Serve as a resource to the court.
• 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.

• Conduct investigations and verify background information concerning persons charged with a federal offense when they are arrested or summoned to court.
• Evaluate information and prepare reports for the judge prior to the initial hearing with assessment of non-appearance and danger to community. A recommendation regarding bail and/or release of a defendant is included in the report.
• Supervise defendants who are released with supervision conditions.
• Notify the court and the U.S. Attorney of any violations.
• Develop supervision plan and maintain detailed record of case activity.
• Track legal developments and update staff and the court.
• 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.
• Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests of defendants/offenders, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials.
• Maintain detailed electronic records of case activity.
• May conduct surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the court.
• Responsible for enforcement of home confinement conditions ordered by the court.

Conditions of employment

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROBATION OFFICERS:

• First time appointees to the position of United States Probation Office must undergo an extensive government background investigation. Further, prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a medical examination and drug screening, the selectee may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the Court. In addition, as a condition of employment, incumbents 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.
• The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers, pretrial services officers, and officer assistants are available for public view at http://www.uscourts.gov.
• Probation Officers must successfully complete a six-week national training program at the United States Courts National Training Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

• 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 his/her 37th birthday at the time of appointment and must meet physical standards.
• Direct Deposit is required for payment of compensation for employees.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, in a field of study involving criminal justice, psychology, sociology, human relations, social work, business, public administration, or related field.
• Must have two years of specialized experience or a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position or a Juris Doctorate degree.

• 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, custodial, or security officer, other than that which includes specific criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

• Master's degree in the fields listed previously under Specialized Experience or Juris Doctorate
• Excellent problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• The ability to analyze relevant information and prepare an accurate written summary of technical information in an organized, objective, clear and concise manner.

• Successful candidates must be mature and highly organized; must possess tact, good judgment, poise, and initiative; and must always maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. The ability to meet the public, work harmoniously with others and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required.

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.

1. Cover letter
2. Resume (two-page maximum)
3. AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment. The Optional Background Information on Page 5 of the application is required for this position.

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