U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer

Judicial Branch • Washington, DC

350d • $57,583 - $130,271

About The Position

The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the District of Alaska is accepting applications for a transfer or newly appointed United States Probation and Pretrial Services Officer in our Anchorage and Fairbanks locations. The district covers 586,000 majestic square miles which provides unique travel and fieldwork opportunities. Officers experience remote locations firsthand, dynamic communities and cultures, and the natural environment and resources that are unique to Alaska. Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and serve under the direction of the Administrative Office of the United States Court. Officers assist in the fair administration of justice, promote community safety, gather information, supervise defendants and offenders, interact with collateral agencies, conduct investigations, prepare reports, and present recommendations to the Court.

Requirements

• Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States.
• Selected candidates will be invited to participate in an interview and/or testing.
• Reference checks will be conducted on top candidates.
• Final selected applicants will be subject to a preliminary credit, employment, and criminal history background check.
• New selectees are subject to a ten-year background check or investigation, including fingerprint and criminal record checks, and subsequent favorable suitability determination as a condition of employment.
• Candidates 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.
• Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible experience in fields such as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology or mental health.

Nice To Haves

• Thorough knowledge of the philosophy, theories, and practices in the field of corrections, with knowledge of law, psychology, sociology, and criminology as these disciplines are related to the duties and responsibilities of the correctional profession.
• Ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing.
• Possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to effectively meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in current technology, computer databases, and computer applications in a Windows based environment.
• Experience using Westlaw and Lexis.
• Knowledge of community resources and the understanding and skill to identify additional resources.
• Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations and prepares reports for the Court with recommendations, which requires interviewing offenders/defendants and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources.
• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Tracks legal developments, and updates staff and the Court.
• Investigates and analyzes financial documents and activities and takes appropriate action. Interviews victim(s) and provides victim impact statements to the Court. Ensures compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act.
• Analyze and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution.
• Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Addresses substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
• Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implements supervision strategies.
• Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders through office and community contacts to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk of danger to the community, reduce risk of nonappearance, and to provide correctional treatment.
• Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintains records of test results and chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintains detailed record of case activity. Conducts surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the Court.
• Enforce home confinement conditions ordered by the Court and performs home confinement reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons.
• Assess risk level of offender/defendant and develops a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risk management.
• Identify and investigate violations and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the Court. Prepares written reports of violation matters and makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court or parole hearings.
• Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offender's/defendant's behavior and conditions of supervision.
• Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serves as a resource to the Court.
• Consistently demonstrates sound ethics and judgment.
• Maintain personal contact with individuals on supervision in the community, office, and telephonically.
• Maintain case records as required by statute or by the court, the Administrative Offices of the U.S. Courts, and the Chief U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer; document interactions and events related to representative duties as directed under existing policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of and compliance with Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
• Travel is required to perform job duties.

Benefits

• Participation in the Federal Employees' Retirement System which contributes to the Social Security Retirement Program.
• Federal Employees' Health Benefits.
• Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance.
• Thrift Savings Plan (like a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions).
• Paid holidays and annual/sick leave accrual.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees