Job Summary:
The U.S. Pretrial Services & Probation Officer serves in a judiciary law enforcement position. Officers encourage long term positive change for the individuals they serve by fairly administering justice and providing investigative and supervision services while protecting the community. Positions may be filled across all three disciplines (pretrial, presentence, or post-conviction). Candidates should indicate in the cover letter which duty station locations (Cleveland, OH or Akron, OH) they wish to be considered for.
Duties and Responsibilities:
These include, but are not limited to the following
- Conducts investigations, prepares reports, investigates offenses, investigates clients background for sentencing.
- Interviews persons under supervision and their families, investigating the offense of conviction, prior record, and financial status of defendants. Other contacts may include the home, community, employers, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of crimes, and other civic or community agencies.
- Interprets and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant case law to make recommendations on sentencing.
- Monitor and supervise defendants and persons under federal supervision, enforces court conditions, and provides treatment opportunities for positive lifestyle changes.
- Addresses persons under supervision adherence with the conditions of supervision, the reduction of risk to the community, and correctional treatment.
- Maintains personal contact with persons under supervision through contacts in the office and in the community; investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance.
- Responsible for detection of substance abuse, assessment, and counseling and addressing those areas of concern.
- Investigates violations of the conditions of supervision and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions.
- Prepares fact-based reports for the court or parole authorities, which may include interpretation of U.S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines, making recommendations for disposition; and testifying at court and parole hearings.
- Interacts with organizations such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, military parole authorities, and attorneys concerning client supervision conditions.
- Travel within and outside the district/state may be required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Must be met at the time of application.
Minimum
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major 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 is required.
- An advanced degree is preferred.
Specialized Experience
- Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience, which is defined as 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 officer, custodial, or security officer does not qualify as specialized experience.)
Educational Substitutions
Completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements may be substituted for one year of specialized experience at the CL 25 level:
- An overall “B” grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0.
- Standing in the upper third of the class.
- “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.
Physical Requirements and Maximum Entry Age
The duties of probation officers require investigating and supervising persons under federal supervision who present physical danger to officers and to the public. Because officers must effectively deal with physical attacks and are subject to moderate arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable to do field work and possess a valid driver’s license.
First-time appointees must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment.
Background Investigations, Drug Screening and Medical Requirements:
Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a complete background investigation, 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, employees are subject to on-going random drug screening and 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 officer assistants and probation officers are available for public review at http://www.uscourts.gov.
Other:
Due to the high volume of applications anticipated, the Court will only contact those who will be considered for interviews. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
The Court reserves the right to fill more than the advertised number of positions with this announcement, may modify the conditions of this job announcement, or may withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $49,361.00 - $121,535.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- If selected for the position, please indicate your salary requirements.
- Please indicate how many years of experience you have in probation, parole, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment.
Work Location: In person
