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Job Details for Pretrial Services Officer

Court Name/Organization Florida Middle Pretrial Services
Overview of the Position * If you applied for 24-FLMPT-10, not necessary to re-apply. Applicants from 24-FLMPT-10 will be considered for this vacancy. The U.S. Pretrial Services Office for the Middle District of Florida is currently accepting applications for the position of Pretrial Services Officer for the Fort Myers and Tampa divisions. The assignment of a duty location is at the discretion of the chief pretrial services officer. More than one position may be filled from this recruitment. This position will be under the direct supervision of a supervisory pretrial services officer.
Location Fort Myers, Tampa, FL
Opening and Closing Dates 12/13/2024 - 01/17/2025
Appointment Type Permanent
Salary $58,030 - $113,078
Announcement Number 25-FLMPT-02

Position Description

  • Gathers and verifies background information concerning persons charged with federal criminal offenses 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. Also, uses law enforcement automated criminal records systems to obtain and verify information. Drug testing and substance abuse assessments are performed.
  • Evaluates information and prepares a report to the judge prior to the initial hearing with an assessment of non-appearance and danger to the community. A recommendation regarding the release or detention of the defendant is included in the report. In formulating a recommendation, considers prior convictions, ability of defendant to post bond, community ties, possibility of substance abuse, and the risk of non-appearance, as well as the degree of danger to the community.
  • Supervises those defendants that are released when required. Makes regular telephone contacts, home visits and community contacts as required by the conditions of release and the supervision plan. Together, we serve the Court, defendants, and our communities by promoting a culture of excellence, integrity, respect, and growth. Ensures that defendant takes the required drug tests. Supervision intervention is conducted with 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 governmental agencies. Coordinates and monitors defendant’s contact with community resources.
  • Notifies the court and the U. S. Attorney of any violations. Prepares petitions and/or reports to the court recommending revocation or modification of conditions of release. Attends court hearings (initial, detention or violation) to provide additional information and to keep abreast of the case status and requirements. Testifies when necessary to support violation reports.

Qualifications

Qualifications for Pretrial Services Officers are prescribed and set forth by the Judicial Conference of the United States. All probation or pretrial services officer positions require completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position.

Additional Qualifications:

  • Fluency in Spanish is desirable but not required.
  • Ability to organize, prioritize work schedule, and work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast paced and challenging environment, managing stress, and maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.
  • Ability to exercise impartiality and discretion with the defendant population and their family/support system.
  • Ability to interact and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds. This includes defendants, law enforcement and collateral agency personnel at different government levels, and community service providers.
  • Ability to interview and establish rapport with defendants and their families/support systems, contacts at collateral agencies, and others for the purpose of supervision and investigation.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Skill in the use of automated equipment including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Medical Requirements

The duties of Pretrial Services Officers require the investigation and management of alleged criminal defendants who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of defendants, the duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary to operate a firearm, and use of self- defense 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 suspected or convicted of committing federal offenses.

Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a 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, 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. The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for pretrial services officers and officer assistants are available for public review.

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 law enforcement officer experience under 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 officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.

Experience as a police officer, corrections, or prison guard, custodial, or security officer, FBI, Customs Agent, or U.S. Marshal DOES NOT MEET the requirements of specialized experience.

Specialized Experience

In addition to meeting education requirements, applicants must also have specialized experience.

A minimum of three years specialized experience is preferred.

Specialized experience is progressively responsible experience, in such fields as pretrial services, probation, parole, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, or mental health.

Employee Benefits

Employees of the Judiciary are not covered by the Office of Personnel Management’s civil service classification system or regulations and are considered “at will” employees. Judiciary employees are, however, entitled to the same benefits as other Federal employees. These include:

  • 13 days paid vacation for the first three years of full-time employment. Thereafter, 20 to 26 days/year dependent upon length of federal service
  • 13 days paid sick leave per year (unlimited accumulation)
  • 11 paid holidays per year
  • Subsidized medical coverage with pre-tax employee premiums
  • Group life insurance and long-term care insurance
  • Flexible Benefits Program (pre-tax flexible spending for health care, dependent care, and commuter/parking costs)
  • Participation in Thrift Savings Plan (similar to 401K plan, with employer matching)
  • Participation in Federal Employees Retirement System
  • Creditable service time in other federal agencies or the military may be taken into consideration when computing leave accrual and retirement benefits

Miscellaneous

  • Gathers and verifies background information concerning persons charged with federal criminal offenses 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. Also, uses law enforcement automated criminal records systems to obtain and verify information. Drug testing and substance abuse assessments are performed.
  • Evaluates information and prepares a report to the judge prior to the initial hearing with an assessment of non-appearance and danger to the community. A recommendation regarding the release or detention of the defendant is included in the report. In formulating a recommendation, considers prior convictions, ability of defendant to post bond, community ties, possibility of substance abuse, and the risk of non-appearance, as well as the degree of danger to the community.
  • Supervises those defendants that are released when required. Makes regular telephone contacts, home visits and community contacts as required by the conditions of release and the supervision plan. Together, we serve the Court, defendants, and our communities by promoting a culture of excellence, integrity, respect, and growth. Ensures that defendant takes the required drug tests. Supervision intervention is conducted with 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 governmental agencies. Coordinates and monitors defendant’s contact with community resources.
  • Notifies the court and the U. S. Attorney of any violations. Prepares petitions and/or reports to the court recommending revocation or modification of conditions of release. Attends court hearings (initial, detention or violation) to provide additional information and to keep abreast of the case status and requirements. Testifies when necessary to support violation reports.

Application Info

This position will be filled in accordance with the Employment Dispute Resolution Plan (EDR) as adopted by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Qualified applicants must submit cover letter, resume, completed AO78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment, and two most recent performance evaluations in one combined PDF format document to HR_Pretrial@flmpt.uscourts.gov by noon on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.  Application package must be emailed with vacancy # 
25-FLMPT-02 and preferred location (Fort Myers or Tampa) in the subject line. Submit all required documents in one combined PDF document and arranged in the order indicated below:

Incomplete application packages will not be considered. The best qualified applicants will be invited for an interview at their own expense and, if selected, relocation expenses will not be provided. These applicants will be required to participate in testing that assesses knowledge, written and verbal skills, and computer ability. By statute, employees must be U.S. Citizens or eligible to work in the United States. This position is subject to mandatory electronic fund transfer (direct deposit) for payment of net pay under the Federal Financial Management Reform Act.

Employees are required to follow a Code of Conduct which is available upon request. Reference checks with current and former employers will be conducted on top candidates. A background investigation with law enforcement agencies, including fingerprint and criminal record checks, will be conducted as a condition of employment. Any applicant selected for a position will be hired provisionally pending successful completion of the investigation. Unsatisfactory results may result in termination of employment.

Incumbent will attend the Federal Probation and Pretrial Academy in Charleston, South Carolina, for a minimum of four weeks officer training.

This office provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please notify human resources. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Pretrial Services reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. If a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time from the original announcement, management may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without posting the position.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.