United States Probation Officer

Summary

United States Probation Officers directly serve the community, clients, and the Court by their work in the Pretrial, Presentence Investigations and Post-Conviction Units.

This job is open to

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

Duties

The following components make up the role of a United States Probation and Pretrial Services Officer in the Presentence Investigations Unit.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Pretrial Services:

The incumbent gathers and verifies background information concerning persons charged with a federal criminal offense when they are arrested or summoned to the Court. Information is gathered through interviews with the defendant, arresting authorities, U.S. Attorney's Office, family, and community members. The incumbent also uses law enforcement automated criminal records systems to obtain and verify information. Drug testing and substance abuse assessments are performed. This information is evaluated and presented in a report format to a judge prior to the initial hearing with an assessment of flight risk and/or danger to the community. A recommendation regarding bail and/or release or detention of the defendant is included in the report. In formulating a recommendation, the incumbent considers prior convictions, community ties, possibility of substance abuse, and the risk of flight as well as the degree of danger to the community. The incumbent supervises those defendants that are released, when required. Makes regular telephone contacts, home visits and community contacts as required by the conditions of release and the supervision plan. Ensures that the defendant submits required drug tests. Supervision intervention conducted with the defendant to modify behavior to reduce potential for revocation. Assists those needing medical help, food, shelter, and other assistance by referring them to the appropriate community or government agencies. Coordinates and monitors the defendant's contact with community resources.

Presentence:

The incumbent conducts investigations and prepares reports for the Court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing defendants and their families, investigating the offense, prior record, and financial status of offenders, contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crime, schools, churches, and civic organizations. The purpose of these activities is to ascertain the defendant's background, to assess the probability of future criminal behavior and determine profit from the offense, restitution, and the offender's ability to pay fines, and costs of prosecution, incarceration, and cost of supervision. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant case law.

Supervision:

The incumbent supervises offenders to maximize adherence to court-imposed conditions to reduce risk to the community, and to provide correctional treatment. Develops a supervision plan and maintains a detailed record of case activity on offenders; maintains personal contact with offenders through community and office visits and via telephone; coordinates and monitors offender's contact with community resources, i.e., substance abuse facilities, counselors, shelters, or employment facilities; investigates/verifies employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment and must be physically capable of performing duties requiring moderate to arduous physical exertion. Any severe health problem may be disqualifying. The position requires mandatory officer safety and firearms training.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States.
• Applicants must undergo and clear NCIC, background, financial, and fingerprinting checks.
• Applicants must not use illegal drugs or abuse alcohol or prescription drugs.
• Prior to appointment, the successful candidate must undergo and pass a medical examination and drug screening. The candidate may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability
• Determination by the Court. In addition, as conditions of employment, incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigations every five years, and, as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations. The medical requirements and the essential job functions are derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers, pretrial services officers and officer assistants, and are available for public review at https://www.uscourts.gov/.
• Applicants must possess good multi-tasking skills and have strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Applicants must be able to travel to divisional offices in New Mexico for periodic work assignments as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree plus 2-years specialized experience. This means progressively responsible experience gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, legal research/investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment. NOTE: Experience as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, other than that involving criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

Education

Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the work of this position.

Additional information

• The United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office serves a diverse community and is a strong supporter of inclusion and staff diversity.
• The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the job announcement, either of which may occur without any prior written notice. This job announcement may involve filling more than one position described herein. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within 90-days of the vacancy close date or date filled (whichever is the most recent), the Chief United States Probation Officer has the discretion to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool. This position may also be assigned to a different unit other than the one posted, dependent upon the needs of the District.
• Due to the volume of applications received, the United States Probation office will only communicate to those individuals who will be tested and/or interviewed for open positions.
• Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid.

• 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.

Applicants who submit a complete application packet, meet educational and specialized experience qualifications and who will not have reached their 37th birthday will be considered.

• Benefits
  
  Review our benefits
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Letter of interest, chronological resume, AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment and copy of official college transcripts.
  
  
  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
  
  To be considered for this position, qualified applicants must submit a complete application packet which includes:
  
  • Letter of Interest;
  • Chronological Resume;
  • Copy of official college transcripts; and
  • AO 78, Application for Judicial Employment, found at the following link: https://www.nmpp.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities.
  
  Any incomplete packet will result in disqualification. All application packets must be emailed in one PDF document only and sent to: uspojobs@nmp.uscourts.gov.
  
  Ron Travers
  
  Chief U.S. Probation Officer
  
  333 Lomas Blvd. NW, Suite 170
  
  Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
  
  Attn: Lisa A. Errico, Human Resources Supervisor
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Human Resources Manager
  
  Email
  
  uspojobs@nmp.uscourts.gov
  
  Address
  
  US Probation and Pretrial Services, District of NM
  
  333 Lomas Blvd, NW
  
  Ste 170
  
  Albuquerque, NM 87102
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Only qualified applicants will be contacted for testing and/or interviews.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Letter of interest, chronological resume, AO 78 Application for Judicial Employment and copy of official college transcripts.


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

To be considered for this position, qualified applicants must submit a complete application packet which includes:

• Letter of Interest;
• Chronological Resume;
• Copy of official college transcripts; and
• AO 78, Application for Judicial Employment, found at the following link: https://www.nmpp.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities.

Any incomplete packet will result in disqualification. All application packets must be emailed in one PDF document only and sent to: uspojobs@nmp.uscourts.gov.

Ron Travers

Chief U.S. Probation Officer

333 Lomas Blvd. NW, Suite 170

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Attn: Lisa A. Errico, Human Resources Supervisor

Agency contact information

Human Resources Manager

Email

uspojobs@nmp.uscourts.gov

Address

US Probation and Pretrial Services, District of NM

333 Lomas Blvd, NW

Ste 170

Albuquerque, NM 87102

US

Next steps

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for testing and/or interviews.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request