United States Probation Officer

About the role

The United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the District of New Mexico is currently accepting applications for a United States Probation Officer in the Las Cruces divisional office. U.S. Probation is a border district with a very diverse, high volume caseload. Selected candidates will be placed as United States Probation Officer in the Post-Conviction Unit.

What you will do

• The incumbent gathers and verifies background information concerning persons charged with a federal criminal offense when they are arrested or summoned to the court.
• Information is gathered through interviews with the defendant, arresting authorities, U.S. Attorney's Office, family, and community members.
• Incumbent uses law enforcement automated criminal records systems to obtain and verify information.
• Drug testing and substance abuse assessments are performed.
• This information is evaluated and presented in report format to a judge prior to the initial hearing with an assessment of flight risk and danger to the community.
• A recommendation regarding bail and/or release or detention of the defendant is included in the report.
• In formulating a recommendation, the incumbent considers prior convictions, ability of the defendant to post bond, community ties, possibility of substance abuse and the risk of flight, as well as the degree of danger to the community.
• The incumbent supervises those defendants that are released, when required.
• Makes regular telephone contact, conducts home visits and community contact as required by the conditions of release and the supervision plan.
• Ensures that the defendant submits required drug tests.
• Supervision intervention conducted with the defendant to modify behavior to reduce potential for revocation.
• Assists those needing medical help, food, shelter, and other assistance by referring them to the appropriate community or government agencies.
• Coordinates and monitors the defendant's contact with community resources.
• Presentence Investigations: The incumbent may conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses.
• The preparation of these reports requires interviewing defendants and their families, investigating the offense, obtaining prior record and financial status of defendants, contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crime, schools, churches, and civic organizations.
• The purpose of these activities is to ascertain the defendant's background to assess the probability of future criminal behavior and determine profit from the offense; restitution and the defendant's ability to pay fines, costs of prosecution, incarceration, and cost of supervision.
• An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant case law.
• Post-Conviction: The incumbent may supervise offenders to maximize adherence to court-imposed conditions to reduce risk to the community and to provide correctional treatment.
• The incumbent develops a supervision plan and maintains a detailed record of case activity on offenders; maintains personal contact with offenders through community, office visits and via telephone; coordinates and monitors offender's contact with community resources, i.e., substance abuse facilities, counselors, shelters, or employment facilities; investigates/verifies employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and their associates to assess risk and compliance.
• The incumbent performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Incumbent must clear a pre-employment medical examination, federal background investigation, and financial check.

Education

Bachelor 's Degree

How you will be evaluated

Number of years and type of experience.

Documents you must provide

• Letter of Interest Resume Copy of official college transcripts.
• Copy of two most recent performance evaluations.
• AO 78, Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment found at: *** See 'How to Apply' for instructions.

Benefits

Paid Annual Leave Paid Sick Leave Paid Federal Holidays Paid Parental Leave after one year of full-time employment Pre-tax benefit programs Health Insurance Vision/Dental Insurance Group Life insurance Long-Term Care Insurance Defined contribution retirement benefits (FERS) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)- 401 (k)-styled program with up to 5% match Transit subsidy Credit for prior Federal Government service Mandatory electronic deposit of salary payment

What to expect next

Only the most qualified applicants will be contacted for testing and/or interviews.

Additional information

Please send the required documents in one PDF file. The U. S.

Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the District of New Mexico is an Equal Opportunity Employer.