Temporary Probation Services Technician

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local benefits

National benefits

Job summary

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan seeks an entry‑level Probation Assistant to support U.S. Probation Officers with investigations and supervision of individuals charged with or convicted of federal crimes.

The role involves preparing forms and reports, reviewing case files, coordinating with collateral agencies, and handling clerical duties. Some travel and after-hours work may be required, with office-based duties and access to automated systems such as PACTS.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent with a minimum of one year of specialized experience.
• Specialized experience involves clerical procedures and routine use of specialized terminology and automated software for word processing, data entry or report generation.
• Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer is not creditable for this role.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
• Preferred: currently performing similar duties in a legal, human services, or community correction setting.

Responsibilities

• Conducts case file reviews and advises officers and assistants of matters needing attention and prepares forms, documents, and reports.
• Assists in investigations including prior records and personal data.
• Helps compile, analyze, and evaluate information for presentence reports and supervision files.
• Contacts clients and families by phone or electronic means to assess risk and compliance factors.
• Maintains safety information for officers and manages urinalysis records and testing materials.
• Operates databases such as PACTS and other criminal justice systems.
• Performs clerical duties including front desk coverage, mail processing, scanning, and routing documents.
• Participates in training and development programs.

Skills

Clerical experience

Data entry

Report generation

Word processing

Records management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

PACTS database

Job description

This position is located in the Probation Department for the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan and reports directly to the assigned Supervising U.S. Probation Officer. Under the direction of a U.S. Probation Officer, the employee assists with the investigation and supervision of persons charged with and convicted of committing federal crimes by providing technical and administrative support for the U.S. Probation Officers in a wide range of areas, including conducting investigations, compiling criminal histories, coordinating with collateral agencies, and performing other similar duties as assigned.

Work is generally performed in an office setting, where persons with violent backgrounds may be present. Light lifting of boxes of case records and office supplies is required. Occasional travel within and outside of the District may be required. The work may require occasional work outside the normal Court hours.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Under the direction of a U.S. Probation Officer:

• Conducts case file reviews and advises officers and officer assistants of matters needing their attention and prepares applicable forms, documents, and reports.
• Assists U.S. Probation Officers in conducting investigations which includes preparations of prior records and personal family data.
• Assists U.S. Probation Officers in compiling, analyzing, and evaluating information gathered during investigations for presentence reports, supervision files, and court documents.
• Contacts clients and their families by telephone or other electronic correspondence under the direction of U.S. Probation Officers/Officer Assistants. Investigates employment/sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to help assess risk and compliance factors.
• Assists with providing safety information to U.S. Probation Officers in the field.
• Maintains chain of custody of urinalysis materials. Maintains paper and computerized record of test results and informs officers of test results. Maintains and mails or transports tests and materials to laboratories for confirmation.
• Operates various criminal justice, law enforcement, and probation automated systems, and enters documentation into PACTS and other databases.
• Participates in ongoing training and development programs.
• Assists with clerical duties, including front desk coverage, processing mail, scanning documents, and routes documents to staff and outside agencies as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications must be met at the time of the application.

Required:

High school graduation or equivalent with a minimum of one year of specialized experience as defined below.

Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigation experience, is not creditable.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in such fields as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business or public administration.
• Currently performing similar duties in a legal, human services, and/or community correction setting. Similar roles may include case manager, case worker, client services specialist, foster care specialist, child protective services case worker and social worker.

BENEFITS

• Local (when/where available): Federal Court employees receive local benefits outlined here.
• National: Federal Court employees receive national benefits outlined here.