Job Details for U.S Probation Officer (Supervision Division)
| Court Name/Organization: | New York Eastern Probation Office |
| Overview of the Position: | The U.S. Probation for the Eastern District of New York is accepting applications for the position of U.S. Probation Officer within the Supervision Division. The agency is comprised of two divisional offices (Brooklyn and Central Islip, NY), with the Brooklyn office being the headquarters office. U.S. Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and assist in the fair administration of justice, provide community safety, conduct objective investigations, supervise persons under supervision, interact with outside agencies and community members, prepare reports, and present recommendations to the court. Beginning classification and step will vary depending on qualifications, experience, and funding availability. Salary progression is based on acceptable performance. There is potential for promotion to a higher level without further competition. |
| Location: | Brooklyn, NY |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 09/16/2024 - 12/16/2024 |
| Appointment Type: | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade: | CL 27 - CL 28 |
| Salary: | $68,174 - $101,311 |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | https://www.nyep.uscourts.gov/ |
| Announcement Number: | NYEP 24-18 |
Position Description
- U.S. Probation Officers in the supervision division monitor persons under supervision to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce community risk, and provide correctional treatment. They maintain personal contact with persons under supervision through office, home, and community visits conducted in-person, by telephone, or by virtual means if deemed appropriate. They conduct regular field activities, including early morning, evening, and weekend or holiday hours. They may be required to respond to situations outside of normal business hours.
- U.S. Probation Officers make referrals to appropriate outside agencies such as mental health/drug treatment facilities and employment/training agencies
- U.S. Probation Officers investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. They address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment through assessment, monitoring, and counseling. They assess risk levels of persons under supervision, and they employ Evidenced Based Practices, monitoring, restrictions, and interventions to address risk.
- U.S. Probation Officers communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning persons under supervision behavior and the conditions of supervision
- U.S. Probation Officers identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. They are required to maintain detailed records of all case activity. They report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities, prepare written reports on any violations of conditions, and make recommendations for disposition. They testify in court when necessary or warranted.
- The U.S. Probation for the Eastern District of New York's mission is to make the community safer by facilitating the administration of justice, providing opportunities for positive change while maintaining professional integrity, dignity, and respect for all. As a partner in the national federal probation system, the office is guided by the Charter for Excellence.
Qualification
Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Applicants must possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business, or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relation skills involved in the position. In addition to possessing a four-year degree, applicants must also have two years of specialized experience or the completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Specialized experience is defined as 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/addiction treatment. Experience as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, without any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
General Experience
- Experience as a probation officer on a federal, state or county level is desirable
- Knowledge of federal law and the criminal justice system and how it relates to the roles and functions of a U.S. Probation Officer
- Strong familiarity with techniques in supervising offenders. Skill in working with violent and/or difficult individuals and implementing negotiation and motivation techniques
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and superior attention to detail
- Knowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other investigative databases
Benefits
Employees of U.S. Probation offices are not covered by the Office of Personnel Management's civil service classification system or regulations. Employees of the U.S. Probation Office are Judicial Branch employees under the U.S. Courts. Judicial employees serve under an "excepted appointment," and are considered "at-will" employees. Probation officers participate in the Federal Law Enforcement Hazardous Duty Retirement program. Creditable time in service in other federal agencies, or the military, will be added to judiciary employment when computing employee benefits. Positions are subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit).
The Federal Benefits package includes, but is not limited to:
- Paid annual leave
- Paid sick leave
- 11 paid holidays
- Retirement benefits
- Thrift savings plan (TSP), a 401(k)-styled program with a government match of up to 5%
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Long-term care insurance
- Flexible benefits program which includes medical and dependent care
Miscellaneous
Maximum Entry Age
First-time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement officer retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. Applicants 37 or over who have previous federal law enforcement officer experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or Federal Employees' Retirement System and who have a subsequent break in service may have their previous federal law enforcement experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.
Medical and Background Requirements
The duties of U.S. Probation Officers require the investigation and management of persons under supervision who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these persons, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary for officer safety, and use of self-defensive tactics. On a daily basis, officers face unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are charged with criminal offenses or convicted of committing federal offenses.
The medical requirements for law enforcement officer positions are available for public review by searching for "officer and officer assistant medical requirements." Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a medical examination, complete a ten-year background investigation and a drug screening. Upon successful completion of all components, the selectee will be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the court. In addition, as conditions of employment, 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.
How To Apply
All applicants must submit the following documents combined as a single PDF file:
- Resume
- Letter of interest, which indicates your knowledge, skills, and experience as they relate to this position
- Federal Judiciary Branch Application for Employment - AO78, which can be obtained on the agency’s website under Job Applicants/Internships)
- College transcripts (copies will be accepted at the time of application, but official versions will be required if selected for an interview)
All submissions must be emailed to nyep_human_resources@nyep.uscourts.gov with subject line “NYEP 24-18 Supervision USPO” and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date.
Seniority will not be a decisive factor in the selection process.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.