Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer Assistant

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements:

• An overall “B” grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0;
• Standing in the upper third of the class;
• “3.5” average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, human resources management, industrial relations, or psychology; or
• Election to membership in 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.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

• Possess the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people of diverse backgrounds.
• Possess good reasoning ability to allow development of the methods necessary to accomplish specific tasks/projects and to identify unusual problems for resolution or referral to probation officers.
• Possess the ability to write reports in a clear, concise, factual, and understandable manner.
• Possess the ability and demonstrate the willingness to increase knowledge and skills.
• Selectee must possess the ability and desire to function effectively and harmoniously in a team-based management organizational environment.

Physical Requirements and Maximum Entry Age

The duties of a probation officer assistant require the investigation and management of convicted criminal offenders who present physical danger to probation officer assistants 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, and use of self-defense tactics. On a daily basis, the probation officer assistant faces unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are convicted of committing federal offenses.

Because a probation officer assistant must effectively deal with physical attacks and is subject to moderate to arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable. Any candidate the court is appointing to a probation officer assistant position will be subject to a pre-employment medical examination. The applicant must be determined medically qualified prior to commencement of duties. For additional information on the medical guidelines, please visit www.txwd.uscourts.gov/ - click on Court Info>Jobs, then Officer and Officer Assistant Medical Guidelines.

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

Background Investigation, Drug Screening, and Medical Standards

Law enforcement officer applicants invited for a second interview may be subject to an initial background check including credit and criminal record checks. Prior to appointment, the incumbent considered for this position will undergo an extensive medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the incumbent may then be provisionally appointed. At such time, the incumbent will undergo an extensive Office of Personnel Management (OPM) background investigation. Continued employment will be contingent on successful completion of the OPM investigation. In addition, as a condition 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 and drug screening.