The Northern District of California United States Probation Office seeks to serve the U.S. Court System and improve public safety by investigating and supervising individuals convicted of federal crimes, enforcing sentences, and providing correctional treatment to persons under supervision.
Duties
The Office is now seeking qualified new U.S. Probation Officers or U.S. Probation Officer transfers. Selected candidates may be placed at Classification Level (CL) 25, 27, or 28 depending on qualifications and experience, with promotion potential to CL-27 or CL-28 U.S. Probation Officer without further competition for selected candidates placed at CL-25 and CL-27.
Responsibilities
For the Northern District of California United States Probation Office, the Probation Discipline is bifurcated, consisting of Presentence Investigation and Post-Conviction Supervision. Presentence Investigation (PSI) Officers will conduct investigations and prepare presentence reports assessing convicted individuals' ability to pay fines, restitution, cost of prosecution, incarceration, and supervision; apply U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and case law; determine appropriate sentencing recommendations after analyzing any objections to presentence reports; and resolve disputed issues and testify in court based on factual findings. Post-Conviction Supervision Officers will develop a supervision plan for persons under supervision, maintain case records, and maintain personal contact with persons under supervision to ensure adherence to court-imposed conditions and required correctional treatment. Supervision Officers will coordinate, monitor, and verify activities of persons under supervision with treatment facilities, counselors, shelters, and/or employment establishments. The selected Supervision Officer candidate will use evidence-based practices to assess risk and needs, as well as monitor compliance with court ordered conditions. Supervision Officers will investigate violations, report violations to the court, and implement appropriate alternatives or sanctions to address risk. All officers will perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
The duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of convicted individuals who present physical danger to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of persons under supervision, these duties require moderate to arduous physical ability, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary for officer safety, and use of self-defense tactics. Daily, probation officers face unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are convicted of committing federal offenses.
Because probation officers potentially deal with physical threats and are subject to moderate to arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable. Probation officers must possess, with or without corrective lenses, good distance vision in at least one eye and the ability to read normal size print. Normal hearing ability, with or without a hearing aid, is also required. Any severe health problems, such as physical defects, disease, and deformities that constitute employment hazards to the applicant or others, may disqualify an applicant. Examples of health problems that may be disqualifying are an untreated hernia, cardiovascular disorders, serious deformities or disabilities of the extremities, mental health disorders, fainting and/or seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, bleeding disorders, pulmonary disorders, and marked speech abnormalities.
Qualifications
For CL-25: Candidate must possess one year of specialized experience;
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 one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies;
Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position.
For CL-27: Candidate must possess two years of specialized experience;
OR
Completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
For CL-28: Candidate must possess two years of specialized experience.
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, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.