United States Probation Officer

United States Probation Office, Southern District of California•San Diego - Headquarters, CA

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

The U.S. Probation Officer performs a full range of duties and responsibilities including but not limited to the following: Conducts presentence investigations and prepares reports for the Courts with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing offenders and their families, investigating the offense, prior record and financial status of the offender, and contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crimes, schools, etc. The purpose of these activities is to ascertain the offender's background, to assess the probability of future criminal behavior, to determine profit from the offense and any restitution, and to determine the offender's ability to pay fines and costs of prosecution, incarceration, and supervision. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant case law. Presents presentence report and sentencing recommendations to the Court. Responds to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications. Serves as resource to the Court to facilitate proper imposition of sentence. Supervises offenders conditionally released to the community on probation, supervised release, parole, mandatory release, and military parole to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and to provide correctional treatment. Maintains personal contact with offenders through office and community visits and by telephone. Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle and associates to assess risk and compliance. Responsible for detection of substance abuse and implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings. Refers offenders to appropriate outside agencies such as medical and drug treatment facilities, employment and training. Initiates contacts with, replies to and seeks information from organizations and persons such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, and attorneys concerning offenders' behavior and conditions of supervision. Detects and investigates violations and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepares reports, which may include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines. Makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court or parole hearings. Conducts preliminary interviews and other investigations as required. Maintains a detailed written record of case activity. Is responsible for such case records as are required by the Court, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and the Chief Probation Officer. Performs such other duties as the Court may require.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be under the age of 37 when hired.
Must meet minimum physical requirements.
Must undergo a full field background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management.
Must undergo a medical examination and drug screening.
Must successfully complete a six-week training academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy in South Carolina within the first year of employment.
Subject to ongoing random drug screening.
Subject to updated background investigations every five years.
May be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause.

Nice To Haves

Mature, responsible, poised, organized and meticulous.
Possess tact, good judgment, initiative, and the ability to work with a wide variety of people with diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Conducts presentence investigations and prepares reports for the Courts with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses.
Interviews offenders and their families, investigates the offense, prior record and financial status of the offender, and contacts law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crimes, schools, etc.
Ascertains the offender's background, assesses the probability of future criminal behavior, determines profit from the offense and any restitution, and determines the offender's ability to pay fines and costs of prosecution, incarceration, and supervision.
Interprets and applies the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant case law.
Presents presentence report and sentencing recommendations to the Court.
Responds to judicial officer's request for information and advice.
Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications.
Serves as resource to the Court to facilitate proper imposition of sentence.
Supervises offenders conditionally released to the community on probation, supervised release, parole, mandatory release, and military parole to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and to provide correctional treatment.
Maintains personal contact with offenders through office and community visits and by telephone.
Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle and associates to assess risk and compliance.
Responsible for detection of substance abuse and implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings.
Refers offenders to appropriate outside agencies such as medical and drug treatment facilities, employment and training.
Initiates contacts with, replies to and seeks information from organizations and persons such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, and attorneys concerning offenders' behavior and conditions of supervision.
Detects and investigates violations and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions.
Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities.
Prepares reports, which may include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines.
Makes recommendations for disposition.
Testifies at court or parole hearings.
Conducts preliminary interviews and other investigations as required.
Maintains a detailed written record of case activity.
Is responsible for such case records as are required by the Court, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and the Chief Probation Officer.
Performs such other duties as the Court may require.