Job Details for Probation Services Technician
| Court Name/Organization | California Northern Probation Office |
| Overview of the Position | The Northern District of California U.S. Probation Office is now seeking qualified for the position of Probation Support Technician at classification levels (CL) 23, 24, and/or 25 based on qualifications and experience. The position is full-time (40 hours per week). More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement. There is promotion potential to CL 24 Probation Support Technician or CL 25 Probation Support Technician without further competition if selected initially for the CL 23 Probation Support Technician or CL 24 Probation Support Technician. The ideal candidate will be an accomplished and self-motivated individual with excellent interpersonal skills and strong work-ethic. This individual will embrace our mission and be committed to and believe in our vision of working together creatively to transform lives in enhancing the safety of our community. Our fast-paced, highly service-oriented environment will provide opportunities for challenging and rewarding work as a member of the probation support team. The successful individual must be able to thrive in an environment that promotes teamwork and professional enrichment where we commit to supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution, the worth and dignity of all people, defending their right to be treated with fairness and respect, believing that all people are capable of positive change using evidence-based practices. We promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. |
| Location | San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Remote, Anywhere in the U.S. |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 03/12/2025 - 03/26/2025 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 23 - CL 25 |
| Salary | $49,953 - $99,314 |
| Announcement Number | 25-DA0312PST |
Position Description
Probation Support Technicians provide entry-level technical and administrative support to probation officers in areas including assisting with conducting investigations, compiling criminal histories, coordinating with collateral agencies, and performing similar duties under the guidance of a probation officer. The Probation Services Technician(s) may be placed in either the Presentence or Supervision division.
Representative Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist probation officers in performing investigations (which do not require field work) of all types, including compiling criminal histories/profiles from a variety of sources and reporting the information to probation officers, running record checks through local and national databases and files, conducting inquiries with collateral agencies and assisting with preparing reports for districts, collecting verifiable and supportable documentation, performing case management using the Probation Automated Case Tracking System (PACTS), and engaging in other similar activities.
- Under the guidance and direction of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer, monitor individuals under supervision compliance by making telephone contacts, reviewing written monthly reports, assisting with computer forensics, and reviewing computer usage via remote software. Report noncompliance issues to a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer.
- Under the guidance of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer, assist administratively with the supervision of a low-risk caseload by monitoring for non-compliant behavior of persons under supervision who are not required to make monthly personal contact with the probation office and completing case paperwork as required. These duties may include answering individuals under supervision questions, tracking individuals under supervision’s monthly report, and investigating noted changes, transmitting letters to individuals under supervision, maintaining chronological entries in PACTS, conducting financial and criminal records checks, maintaining case files, and communicating non-compliance issues to a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer.
- Administer the district’s administrative caseload. Activities can include, but are not limited to, preparing collateral law enforcement requests, conducting, and reviewing records checks, conducting and/or initiating investigations, and assisting with preparing collateral reports to the court.
- Prepare and update case files and reports for investigation and/or supervision at the direction of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer and in accordance with established policies and practices. Make chronological entries in investigation and supervision case records.
- Open, close, and update case information related to computerized records, including PACTS. Research information from case records and perform system data entry as appropriate. Retrieve information from databases and generate reports. Scan, create PDF files, enter data, and upload documents into PACTS as required.
- Prepare and process forms and documents, ensuring consistency and accuracy among court-supplied documents, officer reports, and related paperwork. Format, type, and edit reports which are reviewed by a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer.
- Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis test materials. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results and inform probation officers of test results. Maintain and mail or transport tests and materials to laboratories for confirmation.
- Assist with the training of new probation officers and probation officer assistants as it relates to operational support procedures and policy.
Qualifications
For CL 23 classification level: Possess high school diploma or equivalent and two years of general experience.
For CL 24 and CL 25 classification levels: Possess one year of specialized experience.
General Experience
Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position. Education above the high school level may be substituted for required general experience based on one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) equals one year of general experience.
Specialized Experience
Progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry, or report generation. Such experience is commonly encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking, and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations.
Preferred Education and Experience
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or another related field from an accredited college or university. Having more than two years of general experience and/or having more than one year of specialized experience. Possession of general knowledge of the criminal justice system and probation/parole processes and procedures, and experience working in a federal government or federal court environment. Experience with Windows, Microsoft Word, and WordPerfect.
Personal Characteristics and Skills
Demonstrating sound ethics and judgment; maintaining a professional demeanor and presence; possessing effective verbal and written communication skills; having the ability to work with a wide variety of people with diverse backgrounds; having the ability to handle multiple demands in a fast-paced work environment; having the ability to compile information within established time frames and follow detailed instructions accurately; and having the ability to adapt to change.
Miscellaneous
Probation Support Technicians provide entry-level technical and administrative support to probation officers in areas including assisting with conducting investigations, compiling criminal histories, coordinating with collateral agencies, and performing similar duties under the guidance of a probation officer. The Probation Services Technician(s) may be placed in either the Presentence or Supervision division.
Representative Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist probation officers in performing investigations (which do not require field work) of all types, including compiling criminal histories/profiles from a variety of sources and reporting the information to probation officers, running record checks through local and national databases and files, conducting inquiries with collateral agencies and assisting with preparing reports for districts, collecting verifiable and supportable documentation, performing case management using the Probation Automated Case Tracking System (PACTS), and engaging in other similar activities.
- Under the guidance and direction of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer, monitor individuals under supervision compliance by making telephone contacts, reviewing written monthly reports, assisting with computer forensics, and reviewing computer usage via remote software. Report noncompliance issues to a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer.
- Under the guidance of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer, assist administratively with the supervision of a low-risk caseload by monitoring for non-compliant behavior of persons under supervision who are not required to make monthly personal contact with the probation office and completing case paperwork as required. These duties may include answering individuals under supervision questions, tracking individuals under supervision’s monthly report, and investigating noted changes, transmitting letters to individuals under supervision, maintaining chronological entries in PACTS, conducting financial and criminal records checks, maintaining case files, and communicating non-compliance issues to a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer.
- Administer the district’s administrative caseload. Activities can include, but are not limited to, preparing collateral law enforcement requests, conducting, and reviewing records checks, conducting and/or initiating investigations, and assisting with preparing collateral reports to the court.
- Prepare and update case files and reports for investigation and/or supervision at the direction of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer and in accordance with established policies and practices. Make chronological entries in investigation and supervision case records.
- Open, close, and update case information related to computerized records, including PACTS. Research information from case records and perform system data entry as appropriate. Retrieve information from databases and generate reports. Scan, create PDF files, enter data, and upload documents into PACTS as required.
- Prepare and process forms and documents, ensuring consistency and accuracy among court-supplied documents, officer reports, and related paperwork. Format, type, and edit reports which are reviewed by a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer.
- Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis test materials. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results and inform probation officers of test results. Maintain and mail or transport tests and materials to laboratories for confirmation.
- Assist with the training of new probation officers and probation officer assistants as it relates to operational support procedures and policy.
Application Info
Employment is subject to background investigation and verification of information supplied. In one PDF document in the following order, applicants must submit:
- A letter of interest with the Job Code listed;
- A resume;
- The Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78 [version 5/24]), including Question Numbers 19, 20, and 21 in the Optional Background Information Section of the Application on Page 5 of 5;
- Copies of their two most recent completed and signed performance evaluations;
- Official college transcripts unless previously provided.
Application materials will not be considered complete until all the items listed above have been received by Human Resources. Illegible or incomplete or partially completed application materials will not be considered. Do not submit the same application materials more than once. It is required that you submit your application materials as a single PDF document via e-mail to: CANP_Resumes@canp.uscourts.gov. Official college transcripts can be emailed by the college to the email listed or mailed to the address listed below. All other application materials received by mail, fax, or any other means other than by e-mail to CANP_Resumes@canp.uscourts.gov will not be considered. Completed application materials must be received on or before the closing date of March 26, 2025, by close of business (5 p.m. PST).
U.S. Probation Office
450 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 17-6884
San Francisco, CA 94102
Attn. Human Resources
CONFIDENTIAL
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.