The Federal Judicial Center (Center) is the federal courts' agency for research and continuing education. Congress established the Center in 1967 as a separate organization within the federal judicial system at the request of the Judicial Conference of the United States. A nine-member board, chaired by the Chief Justice of the United States, determines its basic policies.
Summary
The Federal Judicial Center (Center) is the federal courts' agency for research and continuing education. Congress established the Center in 1967 as a separate organization within the federal judicial system at the request of the Judicial Conference of the United States. A nine-member board, chaired by the Chief Justice of the United States, determines its basic policies.
Occasional travel - This position requires occasional overnight travel (approximately 15-20 days per year), and advance notice is given when travel is required.
Within the Education Division (ED), the Center has an opening for an Education Specialist in the Probation and Pretrial Services Education (PPSE) group. This group provides educational programs and resources for U.S. probation and pretrial services officers and their federal court system stakeholders. The Education Specialist reports to the Assistant Division Director for the PPSE group. This position requires occasional overnight travel (approximately 15-20 days per year), and advance notice is given when travel is required. The Center does not pay for relocation expenses; however, Center employees receive reimbursement for all official business travel.
Duties and Responsibilities
Design, develop, facilitate, execute, and evaluate in-person and virtual educational programs for probation and pretrial services officers and their federal court system stakeholders, guided by (1) generally accepted principles of adult learning and (2) identified leadership competencies tailored for specific court audiences.
Assess education and/or organizational development needs of the probation and pretrial services community and recommend solutions to address those needs.
Select and train judiciary faculty in effective teaching and facilitation methods appropriate to an audience of highly educated and accomplished professionals.
Support faculty development, facilitate discussions, and occasionally present and/or teach content.
Make curriculum and programmatic changes as required to address emerging and evolving priorities.
Work with a program coordinator responsible for all aspects of in-person programs (i.e., seminars and conferences), including site selection, preparation of funding and authorization documents, communication to faculty and participants, materials production, vendor engagement, technology support, and program evaluation.
Manage, in coordination with a program coordinator, all production elements of virtual programming, which potentially include conducting and giving feedback on pre-production walk-throughs and dress rehearsals, hosting the live or recorded content delivery, and handling any follow-up editing, evaluations, and communications.
Work collaboratively with subject-matter experts (SMEs) (e.g., probation and pretrial services officers, judges, executives, advisory and planning committees, academics, and other consultants) to design, customize, and update education programs and resources for judiciary audiences.
Collaborate and communicate with PPSE colleagues on group priorities and larger projects and work with other ED staff and leadership as needed.
Selectee must favorably complete a background investigation.
Relatives of Center staff members may not be employed at the Center in any capacity.
All requirements must be met for full consideration.
The Federal Judicial Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and an inclusive work culture. It strives to maintain a professional and collegial workplace in which everyone is valued and treated fairly and respectfully.
Qualifications
Mandatory Qualifications
Education:
An advanced degree in adult education, law, criminal justice, or a closely-related social science OR a bachelor's degree and at least 5 years' experience designing, developing, and executing educational programs for adults
Experience:
Substantial experience teaching, designing, and hosting educational programming
Knowledge, regular use, and a commitment to applying the principles of adult education to create engaging, useful, and transformative experiences
Skills:
Exceptional emotional intelligence, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
Strong technical, writing, and public speaking skills
Excellent skills managing projects, people, time and resources
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to the mandatory qualifications, you're a strong candidate for this position if you possess some of the knowledge, skills, experience, and characteristics listed below. The list represents a range of possible qualifications, not a checklist that must be met. A strong candidate for this position can demonstrate proficiency in some combination of these areas:
Experience working in the courts or familiarity with the workings of the judiciary, preferably at the federal level doing probation and pretrial services work
Experience working in law, the courts, or law enforcement (e.g., as a U.S. probation or pretrial services officer, defender, prosecutor, investigator, law enforcement agent/officer, etc.), preferably at the federal level
Who We Are
The PPSE group is composed of six people and is one of five groups within the Center's Education Division (the others are Executive Education, Judicial & Legal Education, Multimedia Production, and Management and Professional Development Education). We are a mix of educators (education specialists/attorneys and an assistant division director) who serve as program managers responsible for program planning, design, development, and delivery and program coordinators, who handle the administrative, financial, and logistical aspects of our programs. We develop, deliver, and evaluate professional education programs for U.S. probation and pretrial services officers and their federal court system stakeholders. Our program managers serve as trainers and facilitators alongside other faculty, such as U.S. probation and pretrial services officers, judges and court staff, and professors and other subject matter experts.
We consult with a probation and pretrial services education advisory committee comprised of U.S. probation and pretrial services officers in various roles. Our programs include virtual workshops and webinars, multi-day in-person skill-building sessions, and regular coaching calls and follow-up, often over a year-long period. Last year, for example, we delivered 19 educational programs (9 national and 10 in-district) for a total of 832 participants. PPSE members respond to training requests from courts, probation offices, and other related organizations.
Our strengths as a group include:
A passion to serve U.S. probation and pretrial services officers with relevant and meaningful education and resources;
A commitment to following the evidence to identify and meet the educational needs of PPS officers and managers, including understanding the nuances of their roles, the impact on the clients they serve, and the evolution of their professional development and growth;
Dedication to providing comprehensive programs tailored for PPS officers and managers that lead to meaningful and lasting behavioral change consistent with the attainment and retention of professional competencies;
A strong sense of internal motivation and action-oriented;
Adaptability; and
Creativity.
Collectively, we are a group of experienced professionals. Individually, we represent a broad range of educational and professional backgrounds and viewpoints. Our shared values - mutual respect, trust, collaboration, excellence, effective communication, dependability, and health and wellness - serve as guiding principles in all facets of our work. We believe people come here and stay because the mission is vital to our nation, the work is challenging and meaningful, the clients are engaged and supportive, and the culture is positive.
Who You Are
Our ideal candidate has substantial knowledge and experience in probation and pretrial services as well as experience as an educator assessing learner needs, designing, developing, facilitating, and evaluating educational programs in a variety of modalities (e.g., in-person, virtual, and blended) for diverse audiences.
We seek a colleague adept at managing in-person large conferences and more intimate seminars who also has experience using education technology platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Blackboard, etc.) to deliver virtual programs. You are a great candidate if you are an experienced program manager with demonstrated success managing educational programs and projects in a variety of formats for various audiences from start to finish.
We seek a dynamic colleague who values teamwork, is willing to share ideas and information, and is committed to excellence, innovation, and impartiality in the development and delivery of our competency-based programming. For maximum success, you will have familiarity with the federal judiciary or be excited to learn about the Judicial Branch and the critical role of probation and pretrial services in the justice system.
Education
An advanced degree in adult education, law, criminal justice, or a closely-related social science OR a bachelor's degree and at least 5 years' experience designing, developing, and executing educational programs for adults.
Additional information
Salary and Benefits
The starting salary is set at $150,783 (includes 2025 D.C. locality). This position falls in the Center's pay band 6, which has a salary range up to $227,608 (includes 2025 D.C. locality). For a successful candidate not currently a member of the Center staff, a higher starting salary, not to exceed $158,322 (includes 2025 D.C. locality) may be considered if the candidate furnishes proof that their current salary falls above the pay band 6 minimum salary of $150,783 (includes 2025 D.C. locality), in which case the Center would match that salary up to the starting salary limit of $158,322 (includes 2025 D.C. locality). This is the maximum starting salary, and it is non-negotiable. In addition, a successful candidate who does not live within the D.C. locality region or work at the official duty station in Washington, D.C., for 16 or more work hours per pay period will not receive D.C. region locality pay and will receive the locality pay of their place of primary residence (telework site). If the successful internal candidate's salary falls above the range minimum, their salary will be matched up to their current salary.
Federal government benefits are applicable. An array of supplemental benefits is also offered, including a transportation subsidy and a flexible benefit program allowing for pre-tax deductions for health insurance, health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses. The Center is in the Thurgood Marshall Building, conveniently situated to public transportation directly beside Union Station. The Marshall Building houses a child development center, a health fitness facility, and a cafeteria for its tenants.
The Center offers a range of telework and flexible work schedule options based on the employee's position categorization. When business needs arise, all Center employees are required to work at the official duty station in Washington, D.C., or at a temporary duty station. The Center does not pay for relocation expenses; however, Center employees receive reimbursement for all official business travel.
This position does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive civil service.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
In a one- to two-page cover letter referring to Announcement #25-06, please summarize how you satisfy the qualifications listed above. Applications without the required cover letter or with a cover letter that does not address the qualifications will not be considered. Along with the cover letter, please include a current resume that specifies dates of employment and responsibilities for all related positions. To be considered for the position, combine a cover letter and resume (i.e., application for employment) into a single PDF, and name the file using your last name, first name, and the announcement number, as follows: Lastname.Firstname.25-06.pdf. Submit the application as an email attachment to personnel@fjc.gov and include Announcement #25-06 in the email subject line. Information provided in the body of the transmittal email will not be considered part of the application.
This vacancy will remain open until filled, but to assure full consideration, your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 18, 2025.
Candidates selected for advanced interviews will be asked to submit additional materials that showcase their curriculum development abilities and to demonstrate their presentation and facilitation skills.
Federal Judicial Center
Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building
One Columbus Circle, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-8003
US
Next steps
Complete applications will be evaluated based on qualifications. The hiring manager will consider the most highly qualified candidates for a possible interview. Applicants will be notified by e-mail once the position has been filled.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
In a one- to two-page cover letter referring to Announcement #25-06, please summarize how you satisfy the qualifications listed above. Applications without the required cover letter or with a cover letter that does not address the qualifications will not be considered. Along with the cover letter, please include a current resume that specifies dates of employment and responsibilities for all related positions. To be considered for the position, combine a cover letter and resume (i.e., application for employment) into a single PDF, and name the file using your last name, first name, and the announcement number, as follows: Lastname.Firstname.25-06.pdf. Submit the application as an email attachment to personnel@fjc.gov and include Announcement #25-06 in the email subject line. Information provided in the body of the transmittal email will not be considered part of the application.
This vacancy will remain open until filled, but to assure full consideration, your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 18, 2025.
Candidates selected for advanced interviews will be asked to submit additional materials that showcase their curriculum development abilities and to demonstrate their presentation and facilitation skills.
Federal Judicial Center
Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building
One Columbus Circle, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-8003
US
Next steps
Complete applications will be evaluated based on qualifications. The hiring manager will consider the most highly qualified candidates for a possible interview. Applicants will be notified by e-mail once the position has been filled.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
