Position: United States Probation Officer
Date Opened: July 31, 2026
Closing Date: Until filled with a preference for applications received on or before August 16, 2026
Location: Sarasota, FL
Classification Level & Salary Range: $59,732 - $116,394 (CL 27/1 – CL 28/61) **Starting salary commensurate with work experience, previous federal government service, and prior pay history. Promotion potential to CL 28 for the successful candidate hired below CL 28 based on performance and funding.
Introduction:
The United States Probation Office for the Middle District of Florida is seeking qualified applicants for the position of United States Probation Officer in our Sarasota Office. The Middle District of Florida is a progressive district that values continual growth and development and collaborative learning through shared experiences. We believe that leadership is a shared responsibility of all team members, and we expect staff at all levels of the organization to lead from where they stand. We encourage creativity and ingenuity in problem solving.
Geographically, the district covers thirty-five counties from the Georgia border in the northeast to south of Naples on Florida’s southwest coast. There are five divisional offices located in Tampa, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, and Fort Myers, with additional Tampa area offices in Carrollwood and Riverview, and satellite offices in Cocoa and Sarasota.
Probation Office Mission Statement:
The Middle District of Florida Probation Office will protect the public, promote the fair and impartial administration of justice, and facilitate meaningful positive changes in the lives of others.
Probation Office Vision Statement:
The Middle District of Florida Probation Office will be the gold standard for community corrections agencies. We will set the benchmark for best practices and continually seek to raise the bar. We will provide superior service, complete superior investigations, engage in superior supervision, and have the greatest positive impact on others, the community, and society. We will do so by equipping, empowering, and engaging a highly developed, talented, and motivated staff, one in which all members collaboratively cultivate a culture that embodies our core values and guiding principles.
Position Overview:
Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the United States District Court, the United States Parole Commission, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, regarding the background and activities of individuals charged with, or convicted of, federal offenses; and submit recommendations to the court at sentencing, during community supervision, and during other phases of the judicial process. Provide supervision of individuals in the community; enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement evidenced-based supervision strategies tailored to individual needs. Maintain personal contact with defendants and individuals under supervision. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address non-compliance, substance use disorders, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the appropriate monitoring, restrictions, and interventions.
Qualifications:
Qualifications must be met at the time of the application.
Required:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business or public administration, or other closely related field 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 education requirements, candidates must also possess the following:
- To qualify for the CL 27 Level: A minimum of two (2) years of 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, is required.
Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor’s degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, mental health treatment or work in substance/addiction treatment. Experience as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
A writing skills assessment is required before being selected for an interview.
Court Preferred Skills:
- Applicants must possess good writing and oral communication skills.
- Knowledge of Evidence Based Practices, risk and needs principles.
- Proficient in computer usage including word processing and database applications.
- Unquestioned integrity.
- The ability to exercise initiative in handling problems encountered while performing assigned duties.
- A demonstrated history of strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively meet deadlines.
- The ability to perform in a team-oriented work environment.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast paced and challenging environment.
Physical Requirements and Maximum Entry Age:
The duties of probation officers require the investigation and supervision of individuals charged or convicted of criminal offenses and who present physical danger to officers and to the public. The supervision, treatment, and control of these individuals requires, moderate to arduous physical exertion, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary to operate a firearm, and use of self-defense tactics. On a daily basis, these officers face physical, mental, and emotional 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.
As provided for in the Federal Employee’s Retirement Act of 1986 (hazardous duty provisions), first time appointees for a law enforcement position must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. The position allows for retirement at age 50 with 20 years of service and mandatory retirement at the age of 57.
Conditions of Employment:
All selected candidates for appointment as a United States Probation Officer will be required to undergo a thorough background investigation, pre-employment drug testing, and a medical examination. 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 continued employment, the incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigation every five (5) years and, as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness for duty evaluation. The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers and officer assistants are available for public review at www.uscourts.gov
Probation Officers may frequently work outside the normal business hours, including some weekends. Regular travel within the district is required. Occasional travel outside of the district may be required.
The successful candidate will be required to participate and successfully complete the six (6) week Federal Probation and Pretrial Academy (FPPA) training program located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, South Carolina.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible for work in the United States.
The United States Probation Office provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.
The United States Probation Office requires employees to adhere to a Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
The position(s) will be filled in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Plan (EDR) as adopted by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Benefits:
- 13 days of vacation for the first three years (increases with tenure)
- 13 days of sick leave and 11 paid holidays
- Choice of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans, with optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage
- Federal Employees Retirement System and employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K)
- Salary progression based on acceptable performance.
- Mandatory Electronic Fund Transfers
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit a complete application packet to include all of the required documents listed below. Incomplete application packets will not be considered.
- Cover Letter of interest, outlining experience as it relates to this position.
- Current resume.
- AO78 Application for Judicial Branch Employment. Questions 18-20 must be completed. AO 78 Employment Application - Career Opportunities | Middle District of Florida
- If you have Military experience, a copy of your DD214 military discharge must be provided including the type of discharge.
The United States Probation Office reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the announcement without written notice to the applicants. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the United States Probation Office may elect to select a qualified candidate from the original applicant pool.
Due to the volume of applications received, the United States Probation Office will only communicate to those individuals who will be selected for the writing skills assessment and/or interviewed for open positions.
The Probation Office will not reimburse candidates for travel in connection with interviews or pay for relocation expenses.
UNITED STATES PROBATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
