U.S. Probation Officer
Position: U.S. Probation Officer
Date Opened: February 8, 2019
Closing Date: Open until filled. More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
Location: San Diego Main Office, 101 W. Broadway, Suite 700, San Diego, CA 92101
Classification Level & Salary Range
Starting Salary Depending on Qualifications
CL 25 $46,721 – $52,337
CL 27 $ 54,259 – $61,058
CL 28 $65,065 – $73,199
Potential Salary
CL 28, Steps 14 – 61 $73,876 - $105,731
Duties and Responsibilities:
The U.S. Probation Officer performs a full range of duties and responsibilities including but not limited to the
following:
- Conducts presentence investigations and prepares reports for the Courts with recommendations for
sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses. The preparation of these reports requires
interviewing offenders and their families, investigating the offense, prior record and financial status of the
offender, and contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crimes, schools, etc. The
purpose of these activities is to ascertain the offender's background, to assess the probability of future
criminal behavior, to determine profit from the offense and any restitution, and to determine the offender's
ability to pay fines and costs of prosecution, incarceration, and supervision. An integral part of this
process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant
case law. - Officer's request for information and advice. Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and
guideline applications. Serves as resource to the court to facilitate proper imposition of sentence. - Supervises offenders conditionally released to the community on probation, supervised release, parole,
mandatory release, and military parole to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the
community, and to provide correctional treatment. - Maintains personal contact with offenders through office and community visits and by telephone.
Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle and associates to assess risk and compliance.
Responsible for detection of substance abuse and implements the necessary treatment or violation
proceedings. Refers offenders to appropriate outside agencies such as medical and drug treatment
facilities, employment and training. - Initiates contacts with, replies to and seeks information from organizations and persons such as the U.S.
Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, and attorneys concerning offenders' behavior and conditions of
supervision. Detects and investigates violations and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions.
Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepares reports,
which may include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines. Makes
recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court or parole hearings. - Conducts preliminary interviews and other investigations as required.
- Maintains a detailed written record of case activity. Is responsible for such case records as are required
by the Court, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and the Chief Probation Officer. - Performs such other duties as the Court may require.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position of Probation Officer, a person must be a U.S. citizen and possess a four-year degree
from an accredited college or university in a related field of study.
In addition to meeting education requirements, applicants must also have specialized experience*. The required
experience and educational substitutions for each classification level are as follows:
CL-25
One year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the CL-23
or
Completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one of the
following superior academic achievement requirements:
- An overall “B” grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0;
- Standing in the upper third of the class;
- “3.5” average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, human
resources management, industrial relations, or psychology; - Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma XI, or one of the National Honorary Scholastic
Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other
than Freshman Honor Societies;
or - Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely
related to the position.
CL-27
Two years specialized experience, including at least one-year equivalent to work at the CL-25;
or
Completion of a master’s degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
CL-28
Two years specialized experience, including at least one-year equivalent to work at the CL-27.
*Specialized experience is progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor’s degree,
in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, 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.
Preferred Qualifications
- Preferred experience includes: Preparing presentence reports for the court and supervising offenders in
the community. Supervision experience should include knowledge of evidence based practices in
community corrections; these include, but are not limited to, risk assessment, risk-based supervision,
cognitive behavioral treatment and motivational interviewing techniques.
Requirements
- Because Probation Officers are covered under Law Enforcement Retirement as defined in Title 5, United
States Code, Chapters 83 and 84, applicants must be under the age of 37 when hired and must meet
minimum physical requirements. - Successful applicants must undergo a full field background investigation by the Office of Personnel
Management. - Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a 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. The medical
requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers are
available for public review at http://www.uscourts.gov. - New officers will attend a six-week training academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy in
South Carolina within the first year of employment. - Incumbents 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.
Personal Characteristics
A successful candidate must be mature, responsible, poised, organized and meticulous. Must also possess tact,
good judgment, initiative, and the ability to work with a wide variety of people with diverse backgrounds.
Apply by Submitting
- A resume
- Cover letter
- College transcripts (unofficial), and
- Application for Federal Judicial Employment (AO78)
* Link to application form AO78: http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/AO078.pdf
Email (single PDF document preferred) to: careers@casp.uscourts.gov
Subject: Human Resources Announcement # 19-08
Additional Information
U.S. Probation reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the
announcement, without prior written or other notice. Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position.
The court is not authorized to reimburse travel expenses for interviews or relocation. Please note the best
qualified candidates will be tested to determine level of skill/knowledge and final candidates will undergo a
fingerprint and background check.
For detailed benefit information, please visit: https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits
UNITED STATES PROBATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER