Clarification from the agency

Open until filled, priority given to applications received by 9/15/2024.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the District of Alaska is accepting applications for a transfer or newly appointed United States Probation and Pretrial Services Officer in our Anchorage and Fairbanks locations. The district covers 586,000 majestic square miles which provides unique travel and fieldwork opportunities. Officers experience remote locations firsthand, dynamic communities and cultures, and the natural environment and resources that are unique to Alaska.

Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and serve under the direction of the Administrative Office of the United States Court. Officers assist in the fair administration of justice, promote community safety, gather information, supervise defendants and offenders, interact with collateral agencies, conduct investigations, prepare reports, and present recommendations to the Court.

Selected candidates will be placed at Classification Level 25, 27, or 28, depending on qualifications and experience and/or budgetary considerations. Promotion potential up to Classification Level (CL) 28 is without further competition. The incumbent must exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality, work harmoniously with others, foster high ethical standards, and demonstrate unquestioned integrity in a fast-paced environment. The position will be assigned representative duties based on the skills and qualifications of the successful candidate and the needs of the agency.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

• Conduct investigations and prepares reports for the Court with recommendations, which requires interviewing offenders/defendants and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources.
• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Tracks legal developments, and updates staff and the Court.
• Investigates and analyzes financial documents and activities and takes appropriate action. Interviews victim(s) and provides victim impact statements to the Court. Ensures compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act.
• Analyze and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution.
• Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Addresses substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
• Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implements supervision strategies.
• Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders through office and community contacts to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk of danger to the community, reduce risk of nonappearance, and to provide correctional treatment.
• Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintains records of test results and chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintains detailed record of case activity. Conducts surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the Court.
• Enforce home confinement conditions ordered by the Court and performs home confinement reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons.
• Assess risk level of offender/defendant and develops a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risk management.
• Identify and investigate violations and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the Court. Prepares written reports of violation matters and makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court or parole hearings.
• Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offender's/defendant's behavior and conditions of supervision.
• Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serves as a resource to the Court.
• Consistently demonstrates sound ethics and judgment.
• Maintain personal contact with individuals on supervision in the community, office, and telephonically.
• Maintain case records as required by statute or by the court, the Administrative Offices of the U.S. Courts, and the Chief U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer; document interactions and events related to representative duties as directed under existing policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of and compliance with Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.

Conditions of employment

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
The duties of Probation/Pretrial Services officers require the investigation and management of alleged offenders or convicted offenders who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of offenders, 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-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.

Because officers must effectively deal with physical attacks and are subject to moderate to arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable. Probation officers must possess, with or without corrective lenses, good distant vision in at least one eye and can read normal size print. Normal hearing ability, with or without a hearing aid, is required. Any severe health problems, such as physical defects, disease, or deformities that constitute employment hazards to the applicant or others, may disqualify an applicant. Examples of health problems that may be disqualifying are untreated hernia, cardiovascular disorders, serious deformities or disabilities of the extremities, mental health disorders, fainting and/or seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, bleeding disorders, pulmonary disorders, or marked speech abnormalities.

Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for the 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 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 essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for Probation and Pretrial Services officers and Officer Assistants are available for public review on the USCourts.gov website under Officer and Officer Assistant Medical Requirements.

Qualifications

For all classification levels: Candidate must possess 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. In addition to meeting the required education identified above, applicants at each grade level must also have additional education or specialized experience as described below:

Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible experience, 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 officer, custodial officer, or security officer, other than with any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

CL-25: one year of specialized experience or completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements:

• An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0.
• Standing in the upper third of the class.
• GPA of 3.5 average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, human resources management, industrial relations, or psychology.
• Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma XI, or one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies; or
• Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position.

CL-27: two years 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: Candidate must possess two years specialized experience, including one year as a probation/pretrial services officer in the U.S. courts.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Thorough knowledge of the philosophy, theories, and practices in the field of corrections, with knowledge of law, psychology, sociology, and criminology as these disciplines are related to the duties and responsibilities of the correctional profession. Knowledge of how other judicial processes and procedures relate to the officer's roles and responsibilities. Ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing. Possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to effectively meet deadlines. Proficiency in current technology, computer databases, and computer applications in a Windows based environment. Experience using Westlaw and Lexis. Knowledge of community resources and the understanding and skill to identify additional resources. Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish.

COURT PREFERRED SKILLS
Preference may be given to applicants who can demonstrate the following: Two years specialized experience with an emphasis in case management related to probation, pretrial services and/or parole, or through work as a child protective services investigator, forensic accountant, computer forensics investigator, or any other career involving criminal investigation. This includes preparing presentence reports for the court and/or supervising defendants/persons under supervision. Supervision experience should include knowledge of evidence-based practices in community corrections, including, but not limited to, risk assessment, risk-based supervision, and cognitive behavioral treatment.

How you will be evaluated

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

Please read the "Next steps" section for more information.