U.S. Probation Officer

United-States-Courts; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

United-States-Courts in Urbana, IL seeks probation officers who will serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity to aid justice, public safety, and community welfare. The role involves investigations, supervising defendants, preparing reports, and presenting recommendations to the Court; candidates must meet medical and suitability standards for continued employment.

A bachelor's degree is required with at least one year of related experience; applicants will undergo medical and background

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; one year of progressively responsible experience in probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and supervise convicted offenders as part of probation duties.
• Prepare reports and present recommendations to the Court.
• Interact with collateral agencies and maintain case records.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Probation officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and assist in the fair administration of justice, provide community safety, conduct objective investigations, supervise defendants or offenders, interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports and present recommendations to the Court. Minimum of one year of progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, or corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

The duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of convicted criminal offenders who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these offenders, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary to operate a firearm, and use of self‑defense tactics. On a daily basis, these officers face unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are convicted of committing Federal offenses.

Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position is required to undergo an extensive medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the selectee may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the court. Continued employment will be contingent on successful completion of the OPM investigation. In addition, the incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug screening and updated background investigations every five years.

The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers, pretrial services officers, and officer assistants are available for public review at http://www.uscourts.gov.

Because officers must effectively deal with physical attacks and are subject to moderate or 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. In most instances, the amputation of an arm, hand, leg, or foot will not disqualify an applicant from appointment, although it may be necessary for the applicant to use prosthesis to compensate for the amputation. Any severe health problems, however, such as physical defects, disease, and deformities that constitute employment hazards to the applicant or others, may disqualify an applicant. Examples of health problems that may be disqualifying are untreated hernia, cardiovascular disorders, serious deformities or disability of the extremities, mental health disorders, fainting and/or seizures, metabolic disorders, bleeding disorders, pulmonary disorders, and marked speech abnormalities.

Maximum Entry Age

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 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.