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Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer

Court Name/Organization: Missouri Eastern District Court
Overview of the Position: The U.S. Probation Office, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri is accepting applications for the position of U.S. Probation Officer. The position(s)may be located in the St. Louis, Missouri Office. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Opening and Closing Dates: 10/16/2024 - Open Until Filled
Appointment Type: Permanent
Classification Level/Grade: CL 25 - CL 28
Link to Court Careers Information: https://www.moed.uscourts.gov/employment
Announcement Number: PO-1024
Link to Job Announcement
Position Description

Qualification

Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or business or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position, is required for all probation officer positions. Also, any volunteer or unpaid internship experience is not considered creditable. Documentation of an advanced degree must be submitted to Human Resources once obtained. There is no tuition assistance or reimbursement available from the agency for this requirement. Excellent professional references and computer abilities, including the ability to scan and submit documents electronically, are required. A driver's license is required to conduct filed work.

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/addiction treatment. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

Educational Substitutions

The following requirements may be substituted for one year of specialized experience:

  1. An overall "B" grade point average
  2. Standing in the upper third of the class
  3. A "B+" (3.5) average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, personnel management, industrial relations, or psychology
  4. Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Signa XI, or one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies

Court Personnel Classification level requirements:

The duties of probation officers and probation officer assistants require the investigation and management of alleged criminal offenders or convicted offenders who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these offenders, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary for officer The duties of probation officers and probation officer assistants require the investigation and management of alleged criminal offenders or convicted offenders who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these offenders, 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-defense tactics. On a daily basis, these officers face unusual mental 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.

Because officers must effectively deal with physical attacks and are subject to moderate to arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable. 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.

Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a background investigation, medical examination, and drug screening. 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 employment, the incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug screenings, updated background investigations every five years, and as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations.

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 law enforcement officer experience under Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System and who have either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer position may have their previous law enforcement experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.

This is a hazardous duty position and as such you will be subject to mandatory separation based on age if you are occupying this position at age 57, and you have completed the necessary 20 years of service.

Specialized Experience

Preferred skills include proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite 2010, and experience or expertise in cultural diversity. Licensure or certification in a behavioral science (LMSW, CADC, LPC, etc.) is preferred.

Benefits

Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointment (not civil service). The Federal benefits package includes:

How To Apply

Please submit all below requirements to MOED_Employment@moed.uscourts.gov

  1. Written essay: in 500 words or less, explain what the U.S. Probation Office in the Eastern District of Missouri’s mission statement means to you
  2. Detailed resume (including references)
  3. Completed application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment Form AO 78

All property submitted becomes the property of the U.S. Probation Office. The court has the right to modify the conditions of this vacancy announcement, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time before the closing date, any of which may occur without prior written notice. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the U.S. Probation Office may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without re-posting the position. Only applicants who are selected to be interviewed will be contacted.

The Probation Office provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.