US Probation and Pretrial Services Officer

Summary The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the District of Alaska is accepting applications for a transfer or newly appointed United States Probation and Pretrial Services Officer in our Anchorage and Fairbanks locations. Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and serve under the direction of the Administrative Office of the United States Court. Officers assist in the fair administration of justice, promote community safety, gather information, supervise defen Duties Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court with recommendations, which require interviewing offenders/defendants and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. Interpret and apply policies, procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Tracks legal developments, and updates staff and the Court. Investigates and analyzes financial documents and activities and takes appropriate action. Interviews victim(s) and provides victim impact statements to the Court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Analyze and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Addresses substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling. Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders through office and community contacts to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk of danger to the community, reduce risk of nonappearance, and provide correctional treatment. Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintains records of test results and chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintains detailed record of case activity. Conducts surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the Court. Other duties as assigned Requirements Conditions of employment Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for the 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. In addition, as conditions of employment, the 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 essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for Probation and Pretrial Services officers and Officer Assistants are available for public review on the USCourts.gov website under Officer and Officer Assistant Medical Requirements. Qualifications All probation officer positions require 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 position. In addition to meeting the required education identified above, applicants at each grade level must also have additional education or specialized experience as described below: Specialized Experience is progressively responsible experience, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology or mental health. Experience as a police officer, custodial officer, or security officer, other than with any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable. Education All probation officer positions require 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 position. In addition to meeting the required education identified above, applicants at each grade level must also have additional education or specialized experience as described below: Specialized Experience is progressively responsible experience, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology or mental health. Experience as a police officer, custodial officer, or security officer, other than with any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable. Additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits The U.S. District Court falls within the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government. Judiciary employees serve under the "Excepted Appointment" and are considered "At-Will" employees. As such, employment may be terminated by either the employer or the employee with or without cause. Benefits include participation in the Federal Employees' Retirement System which contributes to the Social Security Retirement Program, Federal Employees' Health Benefits, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, Thrifts Savings Plan (like a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions), paid holidays and annual/sick leave accrual. An overview of Federal Judiciary benefits is accessible at: http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits