US Probation Officer

U.S. Courts; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid leave

FERS retirement

Health insurance

FSAs

Employee assistance

Job summary

U.S. Courts is seeking probation officers to support the fair administration of justice, assist in community safety, and conduct objective investigations.

The officers will prepare presentence reports and supervise defendants to maximize adherence to conditions and reduce risk to the community in a federal setting. Applicants must meet medical and background requirements; a medical exam and drug screening are required, with ongoing suitability determinations by the court.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of one year of progressively responsible experience after graduation in probation, pretrial services, parole or corrections.
• Experience in criminal investigations or work in substance abuse treatment is valued.
• Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer without investigative background is not creditable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare presentence investigations and reports and provide recommendations to the Court.
• Supervise defendants or offenders to maximize adherence to imposed conditions.
• Interact with collateral agencies and assist in investigations as needed.
• Conduct objective investigations and contribute to community safety.

Skills

Probation experience

Criminal investigations

Report writing

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. The officers hired will be assigned to prepare presentence reports and/or supervise defendants/offenders to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and to provide c

Eleven paid federal holidays, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), tax deferred retirement savings and investment plan under the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), health, dental, vision and life insurance, flexible spending account for health and childcare reimbursement, and employee assistance program.

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.