Applications submitted through Indeed will NOT be reviewed. Please visit our website at www.sdp.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities for a complete vacancy announcement and application procedures.
ABOUT THE COURT
The U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota was established in 1889 when the Dakota Territory was divided into North and South Dakota. The Court handles issues pertaining to federal law within the state of South Dakota and has courthouses in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre, and Aberdeen. Additionally, U.S. Probation has satellite offices in Eagle Butte, Kyle, McLaughlin, Mission, and Winner.
The U.S. District Court consists of federal court chambers, a clerk’s office, and a probation and pretrial services office. The district has three Article III district judges, two senior district judges, and three full-time magistrate judges.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota is seeking a full-time Probation & Pretrial Services Officer in Pierre, SD. U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officers play an integral role in the administration of justice, community safety, conduct objective investigations, supervise defendants and persons under supervision, interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports, maintain a detailed written record of case activity, and present recommendations to the Court. Officers investigate and prepare bail and presentence reports for the Court and/or supervise defendants and persons under supervision to reduce risk to the community and foster lawful self-management.
*Open to considering candidates who live in the areas of Rosebud, Eagle Butte, Standing Rock, Crow Creek, Lower Brule or other surrounding areas. However, this position will be supervised out of the Pierre, SD office, so occasional travel will be required.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Establishes a working alliance with persons under supervision by developing a genuine helping relationship and providing unconditional positive regard, empathy, and a shared agreement on goals.
· Conducts investigations and prepares reports for the Court to assist with detention and sentencing decisions.
· Provides accurate, thorough, and objective information along with best judgment to the Court for the issuance of individualized, fair, and equitable court orders.
· Implements and uses behavioral-based change work methods to achieve the goals of the case plan.
· Interacts with defendants and people under supervision using values such as affirmation, non-judgment, openness, care, and respect.
· Assesses and identifies general risk, risk to do harm, needs, strengths, level of motivation, and imminence for defendants and people under supervision.
· Collaborates with community resources utilizing referrals when necessary.
· Monitors a person’s compliance with the conditions of release and/or supervision and reports to the Court any allegations of non-compliance.
· Develops collaborative strategies and/or interventions to promote lawful self-management.
· Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
· Documents and maintains detailed written records of meetings and case activity.
· Participates in annual safety training and adheres to the district’s safety policy.
· Embraces diversity among colleagues and communities served.
· At times, extensive travel to other locations within the district may be required.
· May be requested to perform additional duties and/or projects as assigned.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTIC REQUIREMENTS
· Exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, adhere to high ethical standards, and demonstrate integrity in fulfilling the district’s vision, mission, values, and strategic plan.
· Prioritize competing demands while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.
· Exercise impartiality and discretion with defendants, persons under supervision, courts, justice partners, and communities.
· Ability to work a flexible schedule if needed, including nights, weekends, or holidays.
· Promote and maintain a positive work environment which encourages integrity, respect, individual and organizational growth, and a fulfilling work life.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Education Requirement
Applicants must possess a completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The degree must be from a field of academic study related to human relations and where knowledge was gained in understanding the legal requirements necessary to succeed as a probation officer.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
· Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States.
· Judiciary employees must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees at all times.
· Employees of the United States District Court are hired under excepted appointments, are not covered by the Civil Service System, and are considered “at will” employees.
· The candidate hired for this position will be subject to a full background record check.
· This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer participation for payment of net pay (direct deposit).
· The U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota reserves the right to amend or withdraw any vacancy announcement with or without written notice to applicants. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a reasonable amount of time after the original announcement has closed, the Court Unit Executive reserves the right to select a candidate from the original applicant pool of the previous vacancy announcement.
Maximum Entry Age Limit
First time appointees to positions covered under federal law enforcement officer retirement provisions . Applicants 37 years old and older who have previous law enforcement experience covered under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS) who have either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer position may be able to have previous federal experience deducted from current age to determine eligibility.
LEO Training Requirement
A 6-week training program at the Probation and Pretrial Training Academy in Charleston, South Carolina is required within the first year of employment for all law enforcement officer positions.
Medical Requirements and Background Checks
Prior to appointment and after an accepted offer, candidates must undergo a medical examination and drug screen. Upon successful completion, the candidate will be appointed under a provisional status, pending the outcome of a favorable background investigation. As a condition of employment, officers will be subject to ongoing random drug screens, updated background investigations every 5-7 years or as deemed necessary and may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations. Officers must possess, with or without corrective lenses, good distance vision in at least one eye with the ability to read normal size print. Normal hearing ability, with or without hearing aid(s), is also required. Any severe health problems, such as physical defects, disease, or deformities that constitute employment hazards to the candidate or others, may disqualify an individual from eligibility.
See www.uscourts.gov for additional medical requirement information.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $51,419.00 - $116,394.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
