What are the responsibilities and job description for the U.S. Probation Officer position at U.S. Courts?
Duties
The Office is now seeking qualified new U.S. Probation Officers or U.S. Probation Officer transfers. Selected candidates may be placed at Classification Level (CL) 25, 27, or 28 depending on qualifications and experience, with promotion potential to CL-27 or CL-28 U.S. Probation Officer without further competition for selected candidates placed at CL-25 and CL-27.
Responsibilities
For the Northern District of California United States Probation Office, the Probation Discipline is bifurcated, consisting of Presentence Investigation and Post-Conviction Supervision. Presentence Investigation (PSI) Officers will conduct investigations and prepare presentence reports assessing convicted individuals' ability to pay fines, restitution, cost of prosecution, incarceration, and supervision; apply U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and case law; determine appropriate sentencing recommendations after analyzing any objections to presentence reports; and resolve disputed issues and testify in court based on factual findings. Post-Conviction Supervision Officers will develop a supervision plan for persons under supervision, maintain case records, and maintain personal contact with persons under supervision to ensure adherence to court-imposed conditions and required correctional treatment. Supervision Officers will coordinate, monitor, and verify activities of persons under supervision with treatment facilities, counselors, shelters, and/or employment establishments. The selected Supervision Officer candidate will use evidence-based practices to assess risk and needs, as well as monitor compliance with court ordered conditions. Supervision Officers will investigate violations, report violations to the court, and implement appropriate alternatives or sanctions to address risk. All officers will perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
The duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of convicted individuals who present physical danger to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of persons under supervision, these duties require moderate to arduous physical ability, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary for officer safety, and use of self-defense tactics. Daily, probation officers face unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are convicted of committing federal offenses.
Because probation officers potentially deal with physical threats and are subject to moderate to arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable. Probation officers must possess, with or without corrective lenses, good distance vision in at least one eye and the ability to read normal size print. Normal hearing ability, with or without a hearing aid, is also required. Any severe health problems, such as physical defects, disease, and deformities that constitute employment hazards to the applicant or others, may disqualify an applicant. Examples of health problems that may be disqualifying are an untreated hernia, cardiovascular disorders, serious deformities or disabilities of the extremities, mental health disorders, fainting and/or seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, bleeding disorders, pulmonary disorders, and marked speech abnormalities.
Qualifications
OR
Completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements:
- 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; or
- Election to membership in one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies;
Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position.
For CL-27: Candidate must possess two 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.
For CL-28: Candidate must possess two years of specialized experience.
Specialized experience is progressively responsible experience in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, or mental health. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
Education
Minimum requirement: candidate must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university 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.
Additional information
- Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position, if he or she is a first-time appointee to federal law enforcement, will undergo a medical examination and drug testing. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug testing, the selectee may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the court. In addition, as conditions of employment, incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug testing, 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 essential job functions and medical requirements derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers are available for public review at: https://www.uscourts.gov/.
- Newly appointed U.S. Probation Officers (and rehired U.S. Probation Officers at the discretion of the Chief U.S. Probation Officer) will be required to attend and successfully complete the National Training Academy's new officer training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Charleston, South Carolina.
- Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments (not competitive civil service). Relocation expenses will not be provided. This position is subject to mandatory electronic fund transfer (direct deposit) participation for payment of net pay.
- The United States Probation Office for the Northern District of California reserves the right to modify the conditions of this vacancy announcement or withdraw the vacancy announcement, either of which may occur without prior written notice.
- The United States Probation Office for the Northern District of California is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Benefits
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How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated based on a careful and thorough review of their applications including their academic credentials and achievements and the length and quality of their relevant experience. If interviewed, applicants will be evaluated based on the effectiveness of their responses in articulating their knowledge, skills, and abilities applicable to the U.S. Probation Officer position from a performance and conduct standpoint.
First-time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement officer retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. Applicants 37 or over who have previous law enforcement officer experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System and who have either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer position may have their previous law enforcement experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement. Applicants with no creditable previous federal law enforcement officer experience who have reached their 37th birthday should not apply because their application will not be considered.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen immediately following meeting the eligibility requirements.
Employment is subject to background investigation and verification of information supplied.
Benefits
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Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Letter of interest, current resume, two most recent completed and signed performance evaluations, Application for Employment (AO 78), and official college transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
First consideration will be given to all applications received by September 27, 2024.
Applicants must submit a current resume and letter of interest including an outline of their skills and experience. Applicants must include the Job Code from the job posting in their letters of interest. In addition, applicants must provide copies of their two most recent completed and signed performance evaluations and complete and submit the Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (AO 78 [version 5/24]), including Question Numbers 19, 20, and 21 in the Optional Background Information Section of the Application on Page 5 of 5, along with submitting their official college transcripts. The Application for Employment (AO 78 [version 5/24]) is available at: https://www.canp.uscourts.gov/ under Career Opportunities. Previous versions and all other federal employment applications will not be accepted.
Application materials will not be considered complete until all of the items listed above have been received by Human Resources. Illegible or incomplete or partially completed application materials will not be considered. Do not submit the same application materials more than once. It is required that all applicants submit their application materials as a single PDF document via e-mail to: CANP_Resumes@canp.uscourts.gov. The only exception is that official college transcripts can be mailed to the address listed below. All other application materials received by mail, fax, or any other means other than by e-mail to CANP_Resumes@canp.uscourts.gov will not be considered.
U.S. Probation Office
450 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 17-6884
San Francisco, CA 94102
Attn. Human Resources
CONFIDENTIALAgency contact information
Human Resources SpecialistEmailCANP_Resumes@canp.uscourts.govAddressUS Probation Office, Northern District of California
450 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 17-6884
San Francisco, CA 94102
USNext steps
Only the most qualified applicants will be interviewed and only those who are interviewed will receive a response regarding their application status. Participation in the interview process is at the applicant's own expense.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Criminal history inquiries
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Financial suitability
- New employee probationary period
- Privacy Act
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Selective Service
- Signature and false statements
- Social security number request
Required Documents
Letter of interest, current resume, two most recent completed and signed performance evaluations, Application for Employment (AO 78), and official college transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
First consideration will be given to all applications received by September 27, 2024. This position is open to candidates meeting the education and law enforcement officer age requirements and the specialized experience requirement for the differently graded probation officer positions. A Judiciary - Law Enforcement Officer (LEO): High-Sensitive Background Check is required.
