U.S. Probation Officer

United States Courts; Selma (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Courts in Selma, Alabama, is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Probation Officer position. This role involves conducting investigations, preparing presentence reports, and supervising offenders to help ensure community safety.

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills, plus computer and typing proficiency, are essential for daily reporting and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field.
• Experience related to the functions of this position.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer skills and typing proficiency required.
• An advanced degree is preferred.
• Ability to complete multiple projects with limited supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure and learn diverse procedures and criminal rules.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain knowledge of Probation Office policies and procedures.
• Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court, with sentencing recommendations.
• Present presentence reports and testify in court as to findings.
• Supervise offenders to ensure adherence to conditions using Evidence Based Practices (EBP).
• Maintain contact with offenders through office visits, community visits and phone calls.
• Investigate employment, income sources, lifestyle and associates to assess risk.
• Complete investigative reports and preliminary interviews.
• Comply with safety standards for firearms, when applicable.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Typing

Computer literacy

Time management

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Court Name/Organization Alabama Southern Probation and Pretrial Office

Overview of the Position The U.S. Probation Office in Selma, Alabama, is seeking qualified applicants who are self-motivated with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic for a full-time probation officer position.

Location Selma, AL

Opening and Closing Dates 11/03/2026 - Open Until Filled

Appointment Type Permanent

Classification Level/Grade CL 23 - CL 28 commensurate with experience

Position Overview: The U.S. Probation Office in Selma, Alabama, is seeking qualified applicants who are self-motivated with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic for a full-time probation officer position.

Law Enforcement Officer Conditions of Employment

Probation and pretrial services officer and assistants may not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. The selected candidate must pass a medical exam and drug screen prior to appointment. The selected candidate will be subject to random drug screening, and updated background investigations every five years.

Qualifications

A successful candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field and must have experience relating to the functions of this position. The incumbent must also demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills. Computer skills and the ability to type proficiently are required. An advanced degree is preferred. The candidate must also possess the ability to complete multiple projects simultaneously with limited supervision, work under pressure, and to learn diverse procedures and criminal rules.

• Develop and maintain a broad knowledge of and commitment to the Probation Office Mission, policies, function, and procedures.
• Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court, with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses, to include interviewing offenders and their families, and investigating the offense. Visit various law enforcement agencies, police departments, and local agencies to collect and record information for both presentence reports and collateral investigations.
• Present presentence reports and sentencing recommendations to the Court. Respond to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testify in court as to factual findings and guideline applications.
• Supervise offenders to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and to provide correctional treatment, by utilizing Evidence Based Practices (EBP).
• Maintain personal contact with offenders through office and community visits and by telephone. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle and associates, to assess risk and compliance. Responsible for detection of substance abuse.
• Complete investigative reports, conduct preliminary interviews, and other investigations.
• Comply with established training and safety standards for carrying of firearms, upon approval of the Chief U. S. Probation Officer.
• Compliance with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements and consistently demonstrates sound ethics and judgment.
• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.

The U.S. Probation Office reserves the right to amend or withdraw any announcement without written notice to the applicants. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a reasonable period of time of the original announcement, the Chief Probation Officer may elect to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.