United States Probation Officer Assistants directly serve the community, clients, and the Court by their work in the Pretrial, Presentence Investigations and Post-Conviction Units.
Bachelor's degree plus 1-year specialized experience. This means progressively responsible experience gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, legal research/investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment. NOTE: Experience as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, other than that involving criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
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. Incumbent 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 report format to a judge prior to the initial hearing with an assessment of flight risk and 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, ability of the defendant to post bond, 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 contact, conducts home visits and community contact 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 Investigations: The incumbent may conduct investigations and prepare 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, obtaining prior record and financial status of defendants, 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 defendant's ability to pay fines, 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. Post-Conviction: The incumbent may supervise offenders to maximize adherence to court-imposed conditions to reduce risk to the community and to provide correctional treatment. The incumbent develops a supervision plan and maintains a detailed record of case activity on offenders; maintains personal contact with offenders through community, 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 their associates to assess risk and compliance. The incumbent performs other duties as assigned.