Clarification from the agency

Open until filled. Applicant packets reviewed on a rolling basis, interviews may commence at any time. Initial full scope ten-year background investigation, which includes a fingerprint check. Re-investigations every five years thereafter. A drug test is required: pre-employment, random and reasonable suspicion. A pre-employment medical exam is also required.

The incumbent provides technical and operational support and assistance to probation officers in a variety of areas, including assisting with compiling information for investigations; assisting with and monitoring select offenders; drafting reports and correspondence; and assisting with similar operational duties.

Participation in the interview process will be at the applicant's own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided. The successful candidate(s) will be required to participate in a 5-6 week Federal Probation and Pretrial Services Academy program located in Charleston, South Carolina, with the exception of transfers from other U.S. Probation or Pretrial Services Offices who may have already participated in this program.

OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION
Probation Officer Assistants are designated as hazardous duty positions and covered under the hazardous duty retirement system. Persons in a position certified as law enforcement and enrolled in the law enforcement retirement system contribute a greater percentage of their salary toward the pension system and are eligible to retire earlier than other federal employees.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Under the direct guidance of a senior officer, supervise select lower-risk caseloads of persons under supervision, which may include placing telephone calls, making home/office contacts and community/field contacts with an experienced officer, and maintaining files and case records.
• Under direct guidance, participate in select investigations as needed for pre-release/furlough, pre-sentencing, and bail reports. Draft and submit select reports and maintain related investigative files and case records. Observe and report to officers/supervisors on the lifestyle, personal problems, and needs of persons under supervision to assess risk and determine compliance.
• Assist officers by compiling criminal histories/profiles, running record checks through local and national databases and files, conducting inquiries with collateral agencies, and performing other similar activities. Visit or contact various local, state, and national law enforcement and regulatory agencies to collect and record information. Reports offender's substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems to supervising officer so that necessary treatment or violation proceedings can be addressed with the Court. Provide officers with verifiable and supportable documentation to assist in completion of reports and assist in identifying community resources to meet the special needs of offenders.
• Conducts collateral investigations and drafts and submits collateral reports, which may entail making telephone, office, and/or field contacts. Performs record keeping.
• Enter and obtain data and information from the agency's computerized database systems. File, maintain, and document chronological information received throughout the presentence investigation.
• Assist with general office coverage duties such as, but not limited to, reception duties and general clerical work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must successfully complete a ten-year background investigation. The investigation includes an FBI fingerprint check, and retention in the position will depend upon a favorable suitability determination. When completing the AO-78, Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment, applicants must complete questions 18-20 under the Optional Background Information section.

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 experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.

PHYSICAL & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be physically capable, have good vision and normal hearing ability. Prior to employment, the selectee(s) considered for this position will undergo a medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the selectee(s) may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the court. 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 review on the US Courts website.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. All application information is subject to verification. Court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Federal Judicial Employees. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payroll direct deposit.

In addition, as conditions of employment, incumbent(s) 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 COMPETENCIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES):

• General knowledge of the criminal justice system, particularly as it relates to probation policies and procedures. General knowledge of the roles and functions of federal probation offices, including the practices and procedures used. General knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, and relationships among the federal courts, U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, and U.S. Attorney's Office, and other organizations.
• General knowledge of how other judicial processes and procedures relate to the probation office roles and responsibilities. General knowledge of available community resources. Knowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other similar activities (such as the National Crime Information System).
• General knowledge of legal terminology and general investigative techniques. General knowledge of techniques used in supervising offenders, and a basic understanding of sentencing guidelines.
• Skill in assisting officers in supervising offenders, conducting risk assessments, and developing appropriate alternatives and sanctions to non-compliant behavior.
• Ability to demonstrate professional and effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, compile, and summarize work within established time-frames and work under the pressure of short deadlines. Can evaluate information for its accuracy, reliability, and relevance. Ability to follow detained instructions.
• Ability to follow safety procedures.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will be selected through an interview process.