Probation Administrator

Administrative Office of the U.S. CourtsCharleston, South Carolinausajobspublished 10/01/2026
Must-have:LeadPrincipal

This position is designated as a secondary law enforcement position for the purposes of retirement coverage under the law enforcement officer (LEO) retirement provisions. For persons currently covered by the LEO retirement provisions, this position meets the provisions for continuation of LEO retirement coverage. The incumbent of this position is subject to random drug screening and updated background investigations every five years.

Major duties

This position is located in the Department of Program Services (DPS), Probation and Pretrial Services Office (PPSO), Training and Safety Division (TSD) at PPSO's Federal Probation and Pretrial Academy (FPPA) in Charleston, SC. The incumbent primarily serves as a probation administrator (team lead) in the Firearms and Safety Branch. The incumbent reports to the Firearms and Safety Branch Chief and is responsible for Firearms and safety policy development and implementation. The incumbent supports evidence-based ?rearms and safety practices and training implementation and other programs that address specialized groups and program services. The incumbent coordinates with staff in other PPSO divisions and the FPPA to provide technical knowledge and implementation support for various safety-related projects throughout the probation and pretrial services system. The duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

  1. Developing, delivering, and evaluating training curricula for federal probation and pretrial services officers.
  2. Serving as an authority on firearms and safety to the federal probation and pretrial services system, Federal Judicial Center, United States Sentencing Commission, Department of Justice, Congress, and other agencies.
  3. Providing management support and operational oversight for federal probation and pretrial services offices nationwide by developing, auditing, reviewing, overseeing operational procedures, documents, and standards related to use of force, firearms, safety, search and seizure, and accreditation.
  4. Providing technical assistance and conducting training programs at the FPPA and throughout the federal probation and pretrial services system with an emphasis on firearms, safety, and search and seizure.
  5. Scheduling, planning, and conducting meetings and providing information in areas of training needs for officers in all program areas, including the Training and Skills Branch at the FPPA.
  6. Serving as a team lead and subject matter expert on all aspects of use of force, firearms, safety, and search and seizure, including curricula development and training delivery.
  7. Representing the agency to high-level officials on complex operational issues (e.g., officer training and performance and program management).
  8. Analyzing and evaluating data and research pertaining to use of force, firearms, safety, and search and seizure.

Qualifications

Applicants must have demonstrated experience as listed below. This requirement is according to the AO Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment Systems which include interpretive guidance and reference to the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of this position. Specialized experience is demonstrated experience in developing, conducting, or evaluating training curriculum in the areas of search and seizure, firearms, or safety for federal probation and pretrial services officers.

Education

The basic qualifications can be met in one of three ways: Degree in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. Combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed. Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship for competitive status positions or conversion to a competitive status position with the AO. If non-citizens are considered for hire into a temporary or any other position with non-competitive status or when it is confirmed by the AO Human Resources Office there are no qualified U.S. citizens for a competitive status position (unless prohibited by a law or statue), non-citizens must provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at USAJOBS Help Center | Employment of non-citizens/. For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. All new AO employees will be required to complete an FBI fingerprint-based national criminal database and records check and pass a public trust suitability check. New employees to the AO will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights/responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. All new AO employees are required to identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment. You will be required to serve a trial period if selected for a first-time appointment to the Federal government, transferring from another Federal agency, or serving as a first-time supervisor. Failure to successfully complete the trial period may result in termination of employment. If appointed to a temporary position, management may have the discretion of converting the position to permanent depending upon funding and staffing allocation.