United States Probation Officer

About the role

The primary focus of the job is to fulfill statutory requirements to conduct pretrial and pre-sentence investigations, supervise offenders/defendants, make recommendations to the court, evaluate needs and conditions, and maximize compliance with minimal oversight.

Probation/Pretrial Services Officers' performance assists the court in effectively processing probation and pretrial matters. A proper recommendation to the court maximizes the protection to the public.

What you will do

• Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies.
• Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders.
• Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance.
• Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and work with appropriate specialist to implement necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
• Conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations to the court.
• Interview offenders/defendants and their families, and collect background data from various sources.
• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines,Monographs, and relevant case law, as applicable.
• Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/defendants, following established procedures and protocols.
• Maintain paper and computerized records of test results.
• Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials.
• Respond to judicial officers' requests for information and advice.
• Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications, as warranted.
• Serve as a resource to the court.
• Maintain detailed written records of case activity.
• Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action.
• Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court.
• Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act.
• Enforce home confinement conditions ordered by the court, and perform home confinement reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons, as applicable.
• Review and resolve disputed issues involving offenders/defendants and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution.
• Assess offenders'/defendants'level of risk and develop a blend of risk management strategies for controlling and correcting risk.
• Provide offenders/defendants with information on local resources and programs regarding employment, GED certification assistance, ongoing education, and vocational training.
• Identify interests, aptitudes, and abilities of offenders/defendants through interviewing and gathering appropriate information.
• Work with offenders/defendants toward integration into the job market through cross-training, mentoring, and the use of up-to-date technology.
• Communicate with other organizations and personnel(such as U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys)concerning offenders'/defendants' behavior and conditions of supervision.
• Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions.
• Discuss violations with Supervisory Officer.
• Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities.
• Prepare written reports of violation matters, and make recommendations for disposition.
• Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews.
• Guide the work of staff providing administrative and technical assistance to officers.

Requirements

• In that this position, if first-time appointee, will be a provisional appointment, candidates will undergo internal investigations conducted within the U.S. Probation Office.
• After the internal investigation is completed and approved by the Chief Judge, applicants will receive a written offer for provisional hire.
• Pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, all final applicants for officer and officer assistant positions will undergo a medical examination by Public Health Service physicians or other Federal Occupational Health approved physicians using the medical guidelines developed by Federal Occupational Health, Law Enforcement Medical Program.
• Applicants will also undergo drug screening and will also be subject to random drug screening and updated background investigations every five years.
• After appointment, OPM investigations will be conducted, and if the report reflects any negative nature, as to reflect continued employment as a U.S. Probation Officer would be ill advised, employment will be terminated.
• Applicants are also advised that final candidates for the position of United States Probation Officer are subject to medical examinations.
• Specifically, prior to appointment the selectee considered for this 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.
• Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the aforementioned conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, in a field of study involving criminal justice, psychology, sociology, human relations, social work, business, public administration, or related field.

Must have at least one year of specialized experience or a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position or a Juris Doctorate degree.

How you will be evaluated

Applicants are evaluated through a series of interviews with questions designed to allow candidates to showcase their skills and experience; demonstrate to the hiring team how those skills and experiences will benefit the Oklahoma Eastern District Probation Office and the communities we serve.

Documents you must provide

• 1.Letter of application that describes their interest in pursuing this position and how their experience relates to the stated duties, responsibilities and preferred skills and abilities of this position; 2.Resume with references (with phone numbers) 3.Completed Application for Judicial Branch Employment (Form AO-78) (Form can be found at ***)

Benefits

Federal Employee Retirement System; Thrift Savings Plan with 5% match; Flexible work schedule; Telework, as approved; Paid annual and sick leave; Paid federal holidays; Parking; On-site fitness facility; Health, dental, vision, and life insurance; and Health and dependent care reimbursement accounts. Visit *** for additional benefit information.

What to expect next

Applications are reviewed on a daily basis. Candidates who move forward in the selection process are notified.

Additional information

The Court is not authorized to reimburse candidates for travel in connection with an Interview or to pay relocation expenses to the successful candidate.

Applicants must be citizens of the United States or be eligible to work in the United States.

This position is subject to mandatory electronic direct deposit of salary payment. The Probation Office provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Only applicants who are interviewed in person will receive a written response regarding their application.

The United States Courts is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The U.S. Probation Office reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdrawal 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 U.S. Probation Office may elect to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool.