Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer
| Court Name/Organization | Iowa Northern Probation and Pretrial Services |
| Location | Sioux City, IA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 09/22/2025 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 25 - CL 28 |
| Salary | $48,890 - $115,213 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.ianp.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities |
| Announcement Number | VA 25-05 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
- Conducts pretrial investigations to include background information and prepares pretrial reports for the court with recommendations regarding risk of flight or risk of danger to the community pending trial/court resolution of the defendant’s pending offense. Gathers comprehensive, factual information and verifies with collateral resources. Provides written and/or verbal assistance to the court regarding pretrial procedures in a clear, logical, and concise format.
- Conducts presentence investigations and prepares reports for the court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing offenders and their families, investigating the offense, prior record and financial status of the offender, and contacting collateral sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant case law. Following disclosure of the presentence report to the parties, analyzes any objections and determines appropriate course of action. Such actions include resolving disputed issues and /or presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Presents presentence report and sentencing recommendations to the court.
- Supervises people under supervision to provoke positive lifestyle changes and to maximize compliance to court-imposed conditions, reduces risk to the community, and provides correctional treatment.
- Assesses individual risks, develops objectives and strategies for controlling risks, and addresses identified needs. Utilizes evidence-based practices into daily activities and interactions with others. Maintains personal contact with people under supervision by way of both office-based visits and home/community contacts which could take place in unsafe neighborhoods or environments where illegal activities and/or violence could occur. Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk, needs, and compliance to conditions of supervision. Responsible for detection of substance abuse through assessments and subsequently implements the necessary treatment referrals and/or violation proceedings. Detects and investigates violations of supervision and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the court and appropriate authorities.
- All officers communicate with and seek information from collaborative organizations and persons such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, client families, community partners, public safety/law enforcement officials, treatment providers, victims, and attorneys concerning client progress, behavior, history, and/ or conditions of supervision.
- Officers prepare an array of detailed reports, which may include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and responses to judicial officers’ request for information. Officers may testify in court as to the basis of factual findings, case information, and guideline applications and may serve as resource to the court to facilitate proper impositions of sentences.
- Officers are required to maintain a detailed written record of case activity.
- U.S. Probation Officers interpret and apply complex rules, policies, and procedures while ensuring judicial and statutory requirements are being met.
- Mandatory evenings and weekend work is required for supervision activities and/or mission critical tasks. Some training and travel, including overnight stays, is required.
- May be required to work more than 40 hours per week in order to meet job requirements and deadlines. This is a salaried position; overtime pay is not authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Compensatory and/or flexible schedules may be allowed.
- Performs related duties and all other duties as assigned.
Miscellaneous
- Conducts pretrial investigations to include background information and prepares pretrial reports for the court with recommendations regarding risk of flight or risk of danger to the community pending trial/court resolution of the defendant’s pending offense. Gathers comprehensive, factual information and verifies with collateral resources. Provides written and/or verbal assistance to the court regarding pretrial procedures in a clear, logical, and concise format.
- Conducts presentence investigations and prepares reports for the court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing offenders and their families, investigating the offense, prior record and financial status of the offender, and contacting collateral sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant case law. Following disclosure of the presentence report to the parties, analyzes any objections and determines appropriate course of action. Such actions include resolving disputed issues and /or presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Presents presentence report and sentencing recommendations to the court.
- Supervises people under supervision to provoke positive lifestyle changes and to maximize compliance to court-imposed conditions, reduces risk to the community, and provides correctional treatment.
- Assesses individual risks, develops objectives and strategies for controlling risks, and addresses identified needs. Utilizes evidence-based practices into daily activities and interactions with others. Maintains personal contact with people under supervision by way of both office-based visits and home/community contacts which could take place in unsafe neighborhoods or environments where illegal activities and/or violence could occur. Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk, needs, and compliance to conditions of supervision. Responsible for detection of substance abuse through assessments and subsequently implements the necessary treatment referrals and/or violation proceedings. Detects and investigates violations of supervision and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the court and appropriate authorities.
- All officers communicate with and seek information from collaborative organizations and persons such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, client families, community partners, public safety/law enforcement officials, treatment providers, victims, and attorneys concerning client progress, behavior, history, and/ or conditions of supervision.
- Officers prepare an array of detailed reports, which may include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and responses to judicial officers’ request for information. Officers may testify in court as to the basis of factual findings, case information, and guideline applications and may serve as resource to the court to facilitate proper impositions of sentences.
- Officers are required to maintain a detailed written record of case activity.
- U.S. Probation Officers interpret and apply complex rules, policies, and procedures while ensuring judicial and statutory requirements are being met.
- Mandatory evenings and weekend work is required for supervision activities and/or mission critical tasks. Some training and travel, including overnight stays, is required.
- May be required to work more than 40 hours per week in order to meet job requirements and deadlines. This is a salaried position; overtime pay is not authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Compensatory and/or flexible schedules may be allowed.
- Performs related duties and all other duties as assigned.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.