Probation Officer Assistant | U.S. District Court - District of Columbia
Position Location: Washington, DC Position Information: Full-time/Excepted Service/Permanent (More than one position may be available)
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
How to Apply: To be considered for this “at will” position, applicants are required to submit the following:
- A cover letter
- AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (can be downloaded from www.uscourts.gov) (Note: Page 5 of the AO-78 must be completed and signed.)
- A resume detailing all relevant experience, education, and skills
Applications may be hand-delivered to:
United States Probation Office
Attn: Human Resources 333 Constitution Avenue, NW, Suite 2214
Washington, DC 20001-2866
Reference Announcement: 25-DC-13
or e-mailed to: jobs@dcp.uscourts.gov
For questions, please contact the Human Resources Department at 202-354-3200. For additional opportunities and information, please see our website: https://www.dcp.uscourts.gov/careeropportunities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Under the guidance of a probation officer, may supervise a low-risk caseload requiring contact by telephone, in the office, and in the field, with persons under supervision. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and determine compliance. Maintain case files and records, as well as detailed chronological records of activity.
- Assist probation officers with presentence investigations to include compiling criminal histories, and profiles, running record checks through local and national databases, conducting inquiries with collateral agencies, and performing other similar activities. Provide officers with accurate and factual information to assist in their completion of probation reports.
- Under guidance from a probation officer, draft and submit selected reports. Observe and inform the probation officer/supervisor of the criminogenic risk factors associated with persons under supervision. Assist in the development of community resources to meet those risks and needs.
- Under the guidance of a probation officer, respond to judicial officers’ requests for information and occasionally testify in court, accompanied by a probation officer, regarding the basis for factual findings and, if applicable, guideline applications.
- Conduct collateral investigations and draft and submit collateral reports, which may entail making telephone, office, and/or field contacts. Perform record keeping.
- Collect and conduct urine tests on persons under supervision and maintain records associated with testing. Act as the primary tester for the probation office in-house drug testing program.
- Operate various criminal justice, law enforcement, and probation automated systems.
- Participate in ongoing training and development programs.
- Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- Skill in conducting legal research related to varied complex and difficult legal issues, related to sentencing and supervision. Skill in dealing with violent and/or difficult people. Skill in counseling persons under supervision to maintain compliance to conditions of their release. Skill in evaluating and applying sentencing guidelines. Ability to follow safety procedures. Ability to compile and summarize information (such as background checks and criminal histories) within established time frames. Ability to discern deception and act accordingly.
- Skill in communicating (orally and in writing) and working with judges, attorneys, other law enforcement agencies, and correctional agencies. Ability to interact and communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with people of diverse backgrounds, including law enforcement and collateral agency personnel at different government levels, community service providers, and offenders/defendants. Ability to interview and establish rapport with contacts at collateral agencies, persons under supervision/defendants and their families/support systems, and others for the purpose of supervision and investigation.
- Skill in the use of automated equipment, including mobile devices, word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications, and various other types of software. Ability to utilize computer software and automated systems to perform record checks, record urinalysis results, compile criminal history information, and similar activities. Skill in interpreting and analyzing data from a variety of investigative databases.
- Field work is required in the District of Columbia and surrounding jurisdictions.
- Travel may be required based on the needs of the organization.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Education: 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.
Required Experience:
- To qualify for the CL-23: In addition to the bachelor’s degree, the candidate must possess one year of specialized experience.
- To qualify for the CL-25/26: In addition to the bachelor’s degree, the candidate must possess two years of specialized experience.
- Specialized Experience: 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 abuse/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, or mental health. Experience solely as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
