U.S. Probation Officer

The U.S. Probation Office for the Western District of Virginia, a combined district for probation and pretrial services, is currently accepting applications for experienced U.S. Probation Officers. The Probation Office currently consists of 44 employees who support 10 judicial officers and their staff located in six divisional offices (Abingdon, Danville, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg and Roanoke). Travel including overnight, within and outside the district, is required.

Major duties

Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Officer, conduct investigations and prepare reports for the court with recommendations. Interview persons under supervision/defendants and their families and collect background data from various sources. During process, interpret and apply policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law, as applicable. Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Officer, enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and persons under supervision, investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and refer to appropriate specialists. Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of persons under supervision/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officers' requests for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications, if warranted. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Probation Officer, review and resolve disputed issues involving defendants/persons under supervision and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess persons under supervision'/defendants' level of risk and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risk management. Provide persons under supervision/defendants with information on local resources and programs regarding employment, GED certification assistance, ongoing education, and vocational training. Identify interests, aptitudes, and abilities of persons under supervision/defendants through interviewing and gathering appropriate information. Assist persons under supervision/defendants toward integration into the job market. Communicate with other organizations and personnel (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning persons under supervision/defendants' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Discuss violations with Supervisory Probation Officer. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at court or parole hearings. Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews.

Qualifications

LEVEL MINIMUM EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS CL-26: One year of specialized experience; 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; or Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position. CL-27: 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. CL-28: Two years of specialized experience. Specialized experience 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.

Education

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or business or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relation skills involved in the position is required for all officer positions.

Requirements

Because officers must effectively deal with physical attacks and are subject to moderate to arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable. 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. 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 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 officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement. The successful candidate will possess excellent written and oral communication skills as well as excellent computer skills, including knowledge of and skill in using automated databases and word processing; the ability to perform thorough investigations; analyze and evaluate varied information from multiple sources and form conclusions; write clear, concise, grammatically correct reports while meeting strict deadlines; and possess knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the federal courts and probation office. The successful candidate will possess a valid driver's license and have access to a personal vehicle for use in the event a government-issued vehicle is unavailable. Further, the successful candidate will possess the ability to organize and prioritize one's work schedule; exercise initiative in handling assignments; work independently with little or no supervision; exercise discretion and sound judgment; handle conflict; listen actively and express empathy; work harmoniously and collaborate with a variety of staff; and maintain a positive, professional demeanor at all times.