Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer (Court Services)

Conducts investigations and prepares presentence reports and/or pretrial services reports for U.S. Magistrate Judges and U.S. District Court Judges. Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and assist in the fair administration of justice, provide community safety, conduct objective investigations, interact with outside agencies and community members and prepare reports and present recommendations to the court.  The Court Services officer conducts investigations and prepares reports for the Court with recommendations concerning the release or sentencing of individuals who have been charged with or convicted of federal offenses. The pretrial report serves as a source of information about federally charged individuals, helping the Court make a release or detention decision. The presentence investigation report serves as a source of relevant information about convicted offenders, thus helping the Court determine appropriate sentences, aiding correctional personnel in classification and program activities, and assisting the parole authority in making its decisions. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing defendants and their families; investigating the offense, prior record and financial status of the defendant; and contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crime, schools, churches, and civic organizations.

The incumbent writes all investigative reports in the required format using a grammatically correct, clear, and concise style. For presentence officers, an integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant case law. The incumbent testifies in court as to risk factors, conditions of release, guideline applications and serves as a resource to the Court to facilitate proper imposition of sentence.