U.S. Probation Officer Assistant

U.S. Probation Officer Assistant

Opens: December 6, 2024

Closes: Until filled (priority will be given to those who apply by January 3, 2025

Classification Level & Salary Range: CL 25 ($49,965 - $79,964); Starting salary depends entirely upon qualifications and eligibility

Locations: Jacksonville, Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Fort Myers

Introduction:

The U.S. Probation Office for the Middle District of Florida is accepting applications for a U.S. Probation Officer Assistant in multiple divisions (Jacksonville, Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, and Fort Myers). Geographically, the district covers thirty-five counties from the Georgia border on the northeast to south of Naples on Florida’s southwest coast.

District Mission Statement:

The mission of the Middle District of Florida Probation Office is to protect the public, promote the fair and impartial administration of justice, and facilitate meaningful positive changes in the lives of others.

Position Overview:

U.S. Probation Officer Assistants serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and provide technical support and assistance to probation officers in a wide range of areas, including assisting with compiling information for investigations; assisting with and supervising defendants and/or offenders; preparing and drafting reports and correspondence; and assisting with similar operational duties.

Representative Duties:

• Assists officers in the performance of investigations (i.e., collaterals, presentence, post sentence, prerelease, etc.). Provides technical assistance, gathering and verifying background information, in support of preparation of presentence reports.


• Process record checks on active cases through local and national databases, including those designed to provide arrest, financial and social media information. Perform periodic record checks on other caseloads, including inactive supervision.


• Visits or contacts various local, state, and national law enforcement and regulatory agencies to collect and record information.


• Supervises a caseload comprised of low intensity cases. Responsibilities may include placing telephone calls, conducting office contacts, gathering and reviewing financial documentation, maintaining case files, entering information into PACTS, issuing reports to the Court and participating in Court hearings as needed.


• Maintains files and case records as required.


• Performs other assigned duties based on the needs of the division.

Qualifications: 

Must be a high school graduate or equivalent with two years of specialized experience.  Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of keyboard skills and use of specialized terminology which demonstrated the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws.  Valid driver’s license is required.

Court Preferred Skills:

Bachelors degree. Applicants must possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in typing and computer usage is highly desirable. Strong problem resolution skills with ability to meet recurring deadlines.

Desirable Personal Characteristics:

The successful candidate must be able to maintain a professional demeanor, work harmoniously with others, and be responsive, courteous, and polite.  Incumbent must be a perennial learner with the desire to be an expert in our changing field.

Physical Requirements and Maximum Entry Age: 

On a daily basis, these officers face unusual and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are suspected or convicted of committing federal offenses. Due to the potential danger posed by these offenders, applicants must be in top physical and mental condition, including good distance vision, physical dexterity and stamina, and the ability to work effectively in stressful situations.

As provided for in the Federal Employees Retirement Act of 1986 (hazardous duty provisions), first time appointees to a covered law enforcement position must not have reached his or her 37th birthday at the time of appointment. The position allows for retirement at age 50 with 20 years of service and mandatory retirement at the age of 57.

Conditions of Employment:

All selected candidates for appointment as an assistant probation officer will be required to undergo a thorough background investigation, pre-employment drug testing and a medical examination. 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 continued employment, the incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background reinvestigation every five (5) years and, as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluation.

The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers and officer assistants are available for public review at http://www.uscourts.gov/.

All court employees, including U.S. Probation Officer Assistants, are in the excepted service and are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees which is provided to each employee. Fully appointed U.S. Probation Officer Assistants may be removed by the Court for an unacceptable performance, misconduct, or other cause.

All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident seeking citizenship.  

The U.S. Probation Office provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

The position(s) will be filled in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Plan (EDR) as adopted by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Benefits:

• 13 days of vacation for the first three years (increases with tenure)


• 13 days of sick leave per year


• 11 paid holidays


• Choice of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans, with optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage


• Federal Employees Retirement System and employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K)


• Salary progression based on acceptable performance


• Mandatory Electronic Fund Transfers

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a complete application packet to include all of the required documents listed below:

·        Application (AO-78) https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/human-resources-forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment

·        Cover Letter (including location preference)

·        Resume

Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

More than one position could be hired from this posting. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the U.S. Probation Office may elect to select a qualified candidate from the original applicant pool. The United States Probation Office reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the announcement without written notice to the applicants. Due to the volume of applications received, the United States Probation Office will only communicate to those individuals who will be selected for an interview. 

UNITED STATES PROBATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER