Probation Officer Job (2024)

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)
Summary This position is located in the Probation Department. Although the Chief Probation Officer directs the work of all Probation Officers, this position works under the general supervision of a Supervising Probation Officer. This job is open to The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agency More than 1 vacancy may be filled with this announcement. Duties Probation officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and promote community safety, gather information, supervise persons on probation, supervised release, and parole (hereinafter referred to as clients), interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports, conduct investigations, and present recommendations to the Court. Responsibilities Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court with recommendations, which requires interviewing clients and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Supervision and Presentence Procedures, and relevant case law. Enforce court-ordered supervision conditions and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with clients. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and needs. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling. Collect and conduct urinalysis tests of clients, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serve as a resource to the Court. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. May conduct surveillance and/or plain view seizure at the direction of the Court. 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. Conduct presentence investigations and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution. Assess clients' level of risk and needs and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risks. Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning clients' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment An Equal Opportunity Employer All applicants must be a U.S. citizen or must be a lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) and seeking U.S citizenship or must complete an affidavit indicating their intent to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so. All appointments subject to FBI Fingerprint Background Check; with periodic reinvestigation, if applicable. Retention depends upon a favorable suitability determination. All appointments also subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer. All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees (available for review upon request). The Court reserves the right to fill more than the advertised number of positions with this announcement, may modify the conditions of this job announcement, or may withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. Qualifications Required: 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, business or public administration, or other closely related field which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position. In addition to meeting education requirements, candidates must also possess the following: To qualify for the CL-27 Level: A minimum of two (2) years of specialized experience; or completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position. To qualify for the CL-28 Level: A minimum of two (2) years of specialized experience. In addition to meeting education requirements, applicants must also have a minimum of 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, is required. 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, business or public administration, or other closely related field which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position. Additional information Application materials that do not adhere to the Procedures for Applying may not be considered. Applicant materials submitted in addition to the required documents will not be considered or retained. Benefits Review our benefits How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Application review also for minimum qualifications. A writing assessment may be administered. Required Documents Please read the "How to Apply" section. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. How to Apply Applicants must submit a single PDF document to apply@MIED.uscourts.gov with: Cover letter (include vacancy number and preferred duty station) detailing your qualified and preferred skills. Resume. Completed application Form AO-78. NOTE: Applicants are required to complete the Optional Background Information section on page 5 of the application Form AO-78. Agency contact information Human Resources Email apply@mied.uscourts.gov Address US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan 231 W. Lafayette Blvd. Room 890 Detroit, MI 48226 US Learn more about this agency Next steps Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for the next step of the selection process. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. A writing assessment may be administered.

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This position is located in the Probation Department. Although the Chief Probation Officer directs the work of all Probation Officers, this position works under the general supervision of a Supervising Probation Officer.

This job is open to

The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

More than 1 vacancy may be filled with this announcement.

Duties

Probation officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and promote community safety, gather information, supervise persons on probation, supervised release, and parole (hereinafter referred to as clients), interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports, conduct investigations, and present recommendations to the Court.

Responsibilities

Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court with recommendations, which requires interviewing clients and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Supervision and Presentence Procedures, and relevant case law.
Enforce court-ordered supervision conditions and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with clients. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and needs. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
Collect and conduct urinalysis tests of clients, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serve as a resource to the Court. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. May conduct surveillance and/or plain view seizure at the direction of the Court.
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.
Conduct presentence investigations and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution. Assess clients' level of risk and needs and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risks.
Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning clients' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. 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.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

An Equal Opportunity Employer
All applicants must be a U.S. citizen or must be a lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) and seeking U.S citizenship or must complete an affidavit indicating their intent to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
All appointments subject to FBI Fingerprint Background Check; with periodic reinvestigation, if applicable.
Retention depends upon a favorable suitability determination.
All appointments also subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer.
All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees (available for review upon request).
The Court reserves the right to fill more than the advertised number of positions with this announcement, may modify the conditions of this job announcement, or may withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice.

Qualifications

Required:

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, business or public administration, or other closely related field which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position.

In addition to meeting education requirements, candidates must also possess the following:

To qualify for the CL-27 Level: A minimum of two (2) years of specialized experience; or completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position.
To qualify for the CL-28 Level: A minimum of two (2) years of specialized experience.

In addition to meeting education requirements, applicants must also have a minimum of 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, is required.

Education

Additional information

Application materials that do not adhere to the Procedures for Applying may not be considered. Applicant materials submitted in addition to the required documents will not be considered or retained.

Benefits

Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Application review also for minimum qualifications. A writing assessment may be administered.

Required Documents

Please read the "How to Apply" section.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a single PDF document to apply@MIED.uscourts.gov with:

Cover letter (include vacancy number and preferred duty station) detailing your qualified and preferred skills.
Resume.
Completed application Form AO-78.

NOTE: Applicants are required to complete the Optional Background Information section on page 5 of the application Form AO-78.

Agency contact information

Human Resources

Email

apply@mied.uscourts.gov

Address

US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
231 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Room 890
Detroit, MI 48226
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for the next step of the selection process. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. A writing assessment may be administered.

Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.