Clarification from the agency

Multiple vacancies may be filled from this announcement.

Key Requirements

• 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, or public administration.
• Two years of experience after completion of a bachelor's degree.
• Must meet age requirements for Federal Law Enforcement officers.
• Must undergo medical and drug screening, and a background investigation.

Major Duties

A United States Probation Officer (USPO) conducts investigations; prepares required reports; provides recommendations to the Court; and, interprets and applies U. S. Sentencing guidelines and relevant case law. A USPO supervises defendants/offenders to maximize adherence to imposed conditions and reduce risk to the community; provides treatment; detects and investigates violations and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions; conducts preliminary interviews and other investigations as required; and, maintains a detailed written record of case activity. A USPO also performs any other related duties required.

Conditions of employment

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 law enforcement officer experience under the 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.

NOTE: Prior to appointment, the candidate considered for this position will undergo a medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the candidate 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 screening, updated background investigations every 5 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 United States Probation Officers are available for public review online at http://www.uscourts.gov/

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of federal law and the criminal justice system particularly as it relates to federal pretrial services, probation and parole policies and procedures. Broad knowledge of investigative and supervision techniques. Broad knowledge of community and potential community resources. Knowledge of automated/Internet resources and systems available. Ability to evaluate and apply statutes and implement regulations. Skill in communicating orally and in writing, and in working with judges, counsel, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Skill in the use of automated equipment including mobile devices, word processing, and various other types of software. Ability to interpret and analyze data from a variety of investigative databases. Ability to type 25 words per minute.
• Ability to deal with violent and/or difficult people. Ability to counsel offenders/defendants in order to maintain compliance with conditions of their release. Ability to follow safety procedures. Ability to discern deception and act accordingly. Ability to exercise discretion and to work under pressure of short deadlines.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated based on applicants' eligibility and how closely the applicant meets the requirements for education and experience.
Conditions of employment:

1. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and have no criminal record.
2. Tests to determine level of automation/typing and writing skills will be given to all candidates interviewed.
3. Final candidates will undergo a local background investigation with law enforcement agencies, as well as a check of financial and credit records.
4. Employment is contingent upon outcome of a favorable OPM background investigation. The candidate selected will be hired provisionally pending the outcome of this investigation. An unsatisfactory background investigation may result in termination of employment.
5. The candidate selected may be required to reimburse the Probation Office the cost of their training should they terminate employment within 2 years.
6. Employees of the U.S. Probation Office are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees which is available to applicants for review upon request.
7. Mandatory Direct Deposit participation for payment of salary.
8. Employees of the U. S. Probation Office are covered by the Court Personnel System and are Excepted Service appointments.
9. Mandatory attendance at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina, for 6 consecutive weeks.