Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer

Qualifications for U.S. Probation Officers are prescribed and set forth as guidelines by the Judicial Conference of the United States. All probation officer positions require 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 for placement at Classification Level 23. In addition to the educational requirement, applicants must have one year of specialized experience to qualify for Classification Level 25. Classification Level 27 requires two years of specialized experience. Classification Level 28 requires two years of specialized experience.

Competitive Factors
Applicants possessing three years of specialized experience are preferred. Bilingual (Spanish) candidates are encouraged to apply.

Educational Substitutions
Completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following requirements may be substituted for one year of specialized experience (and is qualifying for CL 25, Step 1).

1. An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0
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, human resources 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; or completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position is qualifying at CL 25, step 1. Completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree is qualifying at CL 27, Step 1.

Physical Requirements and Maximum Entry Age
The duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of alleged criminal defendants 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, 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, they 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. First-time appointees to positions covered under federal law enforcement 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 Employee’s 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. State or local law enforcement time in service is not creditable.

The incumbent will be required to complete a four-week office training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

Background Investigation, Drug Screening and Medical Standards
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. The final candidate must successfully complete a ten-year background investigation conducted by the Office of Personnel Management. In addition, as conditions of employment, the 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 probation officers, pretrial service officers and officer assistants are available for public review at http://www.uscourts.gov/.