United States Probation Officer

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• 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