Job Details for Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer (Presentence Investigation Unit)
| Court Name/Organization | Nevada Probation Office |
| Overview of the Position | The U.S. Probation Office, District of Nevada is seeking a highly motivated, and experienced individual to serve as a Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer, in its Presentence Investigation Unit. The Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer will be responsible for the quality and quantity of all presentence services provided by a unit comprised of probation officers who conduct presentence investigations. In addition to various administrative and operational duties, the supervisor may prepare presentence reports, as needed, to assist the court unit with its workload demands. However, this presentence workload will be adjusted accordingly to ensure the primary duties of the position are not significantly compromised. |
| Location | Las Vegas, NV |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 12/12/2025 - 02/09/2026 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 30 |
| Salary | $102,761 - $167,042 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.nvp.uscourts.gov/employment/ |
| Announcement Number | 2026-01 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional knowledge of all facets of federal probation work, but they must demonstrate expertise in presentence investigations, guideline calculations, and case law research. The successful candidate will have excellent character, unquestionable integrity, superior communication skills, experience in formulating and implementing policies, and a track record of leading people and projects. Further, the candidate should understand and be able to communicate to staff the importance of considering the individual client and the factors contained in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), when making a well-reasoned and independent evaluation of an appropriate sentencing recommendation for each client, without strict reliance on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The successful candidate must be able to thrive in an environment that promotes teamwork and professional enrichment. In the District of Nevada, we commit to supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution. We uphold the belief that all people are capable of positive change. Our district further believes in the worth and dignity of all people, and defends their right to be treated with fairness and respect. We promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
The U.S. Probation Office, District of Nevada currently employs a staff of 46 professionals dedicated to supporting the court’s mission of being accountable, responsible, and fostering a collegial environment. The duty station for this position is Las Vegas, Nevada. We also have a satellite office in Reno, Nevada, and occasional travel may be required.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
All probation 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.
In addition to meeting education requirements, for a CL 30, candidates must also have three years of specialized experience, including at least one year as a probation/pretrial services officer in the U.S. Courts.
Preferred Qualifications
This position requires thorough knowledge of presentence investigations, including evidence-based practices and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The incumbent must also have a thorough understanding of PACTS and DSS and demonstrate the ability to use data to analyze and guide the work of officers.
The position requires strong leadership skills, exceptional emotional intelligence, excellent oral and written communication skills, solid problem-solving and decision-making skills, strong attention to detail, and outstanding computer literacy. More specifically, in addition to core competencies, candidates will be evaluated based on the ability to clearly articulate their leadership style; consistently display the core values of the management team and present themselves as a positive role model for others.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively address, resolve and manage workplace conflict, and understand the impact of ineffective actions.
Completion of an advanced degree in a closely related field of study from an accredited university. Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively lead people and manage change. The position also requires an ability to demonstrate solid professional relationships and work harmoniously with both internal and external stakeholders.
Specialized Experience
Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor’s degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance use disorder treatment is required. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
Miscellaneous
The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional knowledge of all facets of federal probation work, but they must demonstrate expertise in presentence investigations, guideline calculations, and case law research. The successful candidate will have excellent character, unquestionable integrity, superior communication skills, experience in formulating and implementing policies, and a track record of leading people and projects. Further, the candidate should understand and be able to communicate to staff the importance of considering the individual client and the factors contained in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), when making a well-reasoned and independent evaluation of an appropriate sentencing recommendation for each client, without strict reliance on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The successful candidate must be able to thrive in an environment that promotes teamwork and professional enrichment. In the District of Nevada, we commit to supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution. We uphold the belief that all people are capable of positive change. Our district further believes in the worth and dignity of all people, and defends their right to be treated with fairness and respect. We promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
The U.S. Probation Office, District of Nevada currently employs a staff of 46 professionals dedicated to supporting the court’s mission of being accountable, responsible, and fostering a collegial environment. The duty station for this position is Las Vegas, Nevada. We also have a satellite office in Reno, Nevada, and occasional travel may be required.
Application Info
To apply for the Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer (Presentence Investigation Unit) position, qualified candidates are required to submit the following in one pdf document in the following order:
- Cover letter - Addressed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer Sarah R. Johnson, 300 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101. The cover letter should be no longer than one page and must include information highlighting your knowledge, skills, experience, and ability to perform the duties required for the position.
- A Statement of Interest, no longer than three pages, outlining:
- Your why for this work, and this position in particular
- Your leadership style
- Your philosophy on how to hold staff accountable to the roles and responsibilities of a probation and pretrial services officer while being mindful of the officer’s wellness and District morale.
- Resume
- AO-78, Application for Judicial Branch Employment (AO 78)
- Last two performance evaluations.
Title the pdf document as follows: Last Name, First Name-2026-01- PSI Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer. Please email the single pdf document, to careers@nvp.uscourts.gov. Failure to submit the above-mentioned required documents, 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.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.