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Job Details for Special Officer Specialist

Court Name/Organization California Eastern Probation Office
Overview of the Position The U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of California is currently recruiting for a Special Offender Specialist in Modesto. The Special Offender Specialist serves in a judiciary law enforcement position and assists in the administration of justice and promotes community safety, gathers information, supervises persons under supervision, interacts with collateral agencies, prepares reports, conducts investigations, and presents recommendations to the court. Special Offender Specialists manage a caseload that includes a significant proportion of offenders/defendants of a specialized type and serve as local experts on cases of this type. The Special Offender Specialist performs duties that involve high-risk issues, such as mental health treatment, substance and/or alcohol abuse, sex offenses, computer-related crimes, and financial (white collar) crimes or cases with location monitoring conditions. Intensive supervision is often required for high-risk offenders/defendants. Candidates will find the U.S. Probation Office in the Eastern District of California is a great place to launch or continue a career with the federal court system. We offer a stable, positive, and professional work environment, a competitive salary range and full federal benefits. Our agency is currently comprised of 76 staff members and our district headquarters is located in Sacramento with a divisional office in Fresno. There are currently offices in Sacramento, Fresno, Roseville, Redding, Modesto, Visalia, and Bakersfield. Geographically, the Eastern District of California includes 34 counties in the central valley from the Oregon border to Bakersfield.
Location Modesto, CA
Opening and Closing Dates 04/25/2025 - 05/09/2025
Appointment Type Permanent
Classification Level/Grade 29
Salary $105,366 - $171,307
Link to Court Careers Information https://www.caep.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities
Announcement Number 25-05

Position Description

Primary Duties

  • Perform investigative and supervision responsibilities for offenders/defendants in both general cases and specialized cases which include offenders/defendants who are identified as being high-risk. Conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations for the court in general, high-risk, and/or specialized cases by interviewing offenders/defendants and their families and collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law in the area of specialization.
  • Serve as a resource and expert to the court, line officers, and staff in high-risk, specialized cases. Guide, advise, train, and make recommendations to other officers, the court, and other individuals in cases involving area of specialization. Assist in developing policies and proposals to provide needed services. Train line officers on identification and treatment of offenders/defendants in high-risk cases.
  • Participate in on-going training and educational opportunities to further develop and/or enhance techniques and skills relating to investigation and supervision practices of offenders/defendants in area of specialization. Provide management and staff with ongoing updates related to changes with this offender/defendant population, and with procedural matters related to aftercare.
  • Track developments in the law and update staff and the court. Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies.  Maintain personal contact with offenders/defendants through office and community contacts and by telephone. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
  • Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Responsible for enforcement of location monitoring conditions ordered by the court, and in some districts may perform location monitoring reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons.
  • Analyze and resolve disputed issues involving offenders/defendants and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess offenders’/defendants’ level of risk and develop a blend of risk management strategies for controlling and correcting risk.
  • Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offenders’/defendants’ behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate treatment, alternatives, and/or sanctions. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition.
  • Locate, provide, and schedule suitable contract and non-contract services to maximize effectiveness of treatment or services for high-risk offenders/defendants while following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of results and progress. Respond to judicial officer’s request for information and advice. Serve as a resource and expert in high risk issues to staff, line officers, and the court. Maintain detailed records of case activity. Conduct surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the court.
  • Participate in on-going training and educational opportunities to further develop and/or enhance knowledge, techniques, tools, and skills relating to the investigation, supervision, and treatment practices of high-risk offenders/defendants.
  • Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Maintain detailed written records of case activity.
  • Perform administrative duties regarding mental health treatment, substance abuse, location monitoring, sex offenses, computer-related crimes, financial, and other high-risk issues. Guide the work of staff providing administrative and technical assistance to officers. 

Qualifications

Job Requirements/Special Working Conditions

  • This position will have an LMON component based on the caseload requirements.
  • This position requires non-traditional working hours, to include weekends and nights. Due to the nature of the caseload, the position primarily focuses on field work and, consequently, domiciling a government vehicle (if available) is preferred.
  • Frequent travel within the district will be required to oversee the specialized caseload, conduct field visits, enforce conditions, and meet national and local polices. Nationwide travel may be required periodically to attend relevant training.
  • A specialist must carry at least a 50 percent caseload, spending at least 50 percent of their time working with persons under supervision. Special Offender Specialists may guide the work of probation officer assistants and other staff.
  • In regard to all officer specialist positions, the representative duties expected and required are in addition to performing the regular functions of a line officer whether that be in a presentence investigation unit or a supervision unit.

Required Education

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.

General Experience

Required Experience

To qualify for the Special Offender Specialist position, the applicant must possess a minimum of three years of specialized experience, including at least one year as a probation/pretrial services officer in the United States Courts.

Current U.S. Probation Officer/Pretrial Services Officer experience is required. The candidate must have demonstrated and sustained exceptional performance.

Specialized Experience

Specialized Experience

Progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, 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 considered specialized experience. Also, any volunteer or unpaid internship experience obtained prior to the completion of a bachelor’s degree is not considered specialized experience.

Employee Benefits

  • Applicants for law enforcement officer positions are required to complete the AO 78, Federal Judicial Branch Application, Revised 5/2024. The application form must be filled out thoroughly to determine eligibility for the position. This includes the Optional Background Information (questions, 19, 20, and 21) on page 5 of the application form.
  • The U.S. Probation Office, Eastern Judicial District of California, is headquartered in Sacramento, with offices in Roseville, Redding, Modesto, Fresno (Divisional Office), Visalia, and Bakersfield. Although it is the agency’s practice to try to accommodate individual duty station preferences, all employees of the U.S. Probation Office are subject to transfer to any office in the judicial district, if necessary, to perform the work of the courts. The individual’s duty station is at the discretion of the Chief.
  • The U.S. Probation Office is not authorized to reimburse candidates for testing, interviewing, or relocation expenses.
  • Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • This position is subject to mandatory Electronic Funds Transfer participation for payment of net pay.
  • The office reserves the right to amend or withdraw any announcement without written notice to applicants.
  • The officer’s performance will be monitored closely during the first year in this position.
  • More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
  • Due to the volume of applications received, only applicants who are tested and/or interviewed will receive a written response regarding their application status.
  • Applications received after 4 p.m. PT on March 9 will not be considered.
  • The U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Miscellaneous

Primary Duties

  • Perform investigative and supervision responsibilities for offenders/defendants in both general cases and specialized cases which include offenders/defendants who are identified as being high-risk. Conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations for the court in general, high-risk, and/or specialized cases by interviewing offenders/defendants and their families and collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law in the area of specialization.
  • Serve as a resource and expert to the court, line officers, and staff in high-risk, specialized cases. Guide, advise, train, and make recommendations to other officers, the court, and other individuals in cases involving area of specialization. Assist in developing policies and proposals to provide needed services. Train line officers on identification and treatment of offenders/defendants in high-risk cases.
  • Participate in on-going training and educational opportunities to further develop and/or enhance techniques and skills relating to investigation and supervision practices of offenders/defendants in area of specialization. Provide management and staff with ongoing updates related to changes with this offender/defendant population, and with procedural matters related to aftercare.
  • Track developments in the law and update staff and the court. Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies.  Maintain personal contact with offenders/defendants through office and community contacts and by telephone. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
  • Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Responsible for enforcement of location monitoring conditions ordered by the court, and in some districts may perform location monitoring reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons.
  • Analyze and resolve disputed issues involving offenders/defendants and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess offenders’/defendants’ level of risk and develop a blend of risk management strategies for controlling and correcting risk.
  • Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offenders’/defendants’ behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate treatment, alternatives, and/or sanctions. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition.
  • Locate, provide, and schedule suitable contract and non-contract services to maximize effectiveness of treatment or services for high-risk offenders/defendants while following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of results and progress. Respond to judicial officer’s request for information and advice. Serve as a resource and expert in high risk issues to staff, line officers, and the court. Maintain detailed records of case activity. Conduct surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the court.
  • Participate in on-going training and educational opportunities to further develop and/or enhance knowledge, techniques, tools, and skills relating to the investigation, supervision, and treatment practices of high-risk offenders/defendants.
  • Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Maintain detailed written records of case activity.
  • Perform administrative duties regarding mental health treatment, substance abuse, location monitoring, sex offenses, computer-related crimes, financial, and other high-risk issues. Guide the work of staff providing administrative and technical assistance to officers. 

Application Info

To apply for this position, qualified candidates must submit the following in one pdf document in the following order:

 Failure to submit the cover letter, resume, and AO-78, in one pdf document will result in immediate disqualification. Incomplete applications will not be considered, retained, or returned. Only one application per candidate will be accepted for this announcement.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.