U.S. Probation Officer

Qualification

s (Court Preferred Skills):

The ideal candidate may also possess the following preferred skills:

A master’s degree or current enrollment in a related graduate program. At least one year of community corrections or social services work (Entry Level Consideration). Skilled in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups to provide information, facilitate meetings, and influence decision-makers and strive for high level achievement. Demonstrated leadership by showing initiative to engage in project management and establishing programs which helps achieve an organization’s mission and vision. Demonstrated use of technology to improve a process.

Specialized Experience

Two years of specialized experience, which is progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor’s degree, 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 officer, custodial or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

Benefits

The opportunity to serve in a rewarding public service position. Accrual of paid vacation and sick leave. Paid federal holidays. Extensive health, life, dental, and vision insurance plans. A defined benefit pension plan. On-site fitness center (Minneapolis). Traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) retirement savings and investment plans through the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with employer matching contributions. Pre-tax transportation, medical, and childcare reimbursement accounts. Extensive on-line training options. Travel reimbursement for in-person training and professional conferences available, funds permitting. Ad hoc telework, alternative work schedules, and other workplace flexibilities (dependent upon work performance).

Miscellaneous

Medical Requirements:
Prior to appointment, the selected candidate must undergo a medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion, the candidate may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the Court.

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 the candidate.

Background investigation & maximum age requirements:
As conditions of employment, the selected candidate will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigations every five years and as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, and may be subject to subsequent fitness for duty evaluations. 

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 years of age or older 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 officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement. 

Environmental demands:
Work is performed in an office setting and the community and may be subject to variable hours, including nights, holidays, and weekends. Work requires regular contact with people who have violent backgrounds. These contacts may be made in both generally controlled office settings as well as in field situations (such as uncontrolled and unsafe neighborhoods/environments where illegal activities and violence may occur). The duties of USPOs require the investigation and management of alleged criminal offenders or convicted offenders who present physical danger to officers and the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these offenders, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing physical dexterity and coordination necessary of officer safety, and use of self-defense tactics.

Conditions of employment:
Candidates selected for interviews will be required to participate in job-related screening as part of the screening process. Prior to appointment, the selected candidate must undergo a local records check, full OPM background investigation, fingerprinting, medical examination, check of financial and credit records, and drug screening.

The selected candidate must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident seeking U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens must execute an affidavit indicating their intent to apply for citizenship when they become eligible.

An entry level U.S. Probation Officer position with a starting grade of CL-26 may be considered. U.S. Probation Officer assignment hinges on the needs of the District. Promotion potential is possible within the classification and salary range without further competition, if assigned below CL-28. This position is considered hazardous duty, which may require irregular work hours, to include nights, weekends, and holidays. This position may also require frequent travel to divisional offices and a valid driver’s license.

A probation officer appointed to serve with compensation may be removed only for cause, and may be entitled to some form of due process before being terminated (does not include pretrial services officers) (18 U.S.C. § 3602(a)).

The mandatory separation age for positions covered under law enforcement retirement is 57, with 20 years of service (5 U.S.C. §§ 8335(b),8425(b)).

New USPOs receive extensive training during their year of employment. USPOs must also successfully complete a multi-week national training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Probation and Pretrial Academy), in Charleston, South Carolina. 

The U.S. District Court requires employees to adhere to a Code of Conduct Policy. This position is also subject to mandatory Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

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