Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer
| Court Name/Organization | Alabama Middle Probation and Pretrial Services Office |
| Location | Montgomery, AL |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 01/28/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 25 - CL 28 |
| Salary | $51,419 - $116,394 |
| Announcement Number | 26-ALMP-001 |
Position Description
Representative Investigation Duties - Investigates, prepares reports, and makes recommendations for sentencing of individuals, which requires interviewing offenders and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U. S. Sentencing Commission Guidelines and relevant case law. Presents presentence report and sentencing recommendations to the court. Responds to judicial officer’s request for information and advice. Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications. Analyzes any objections to the presentence report and determines appropriate course of action, including resolving disputed issues and/or presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution.
Representative Supervision Duties - Supervises offenders to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and provide correctional treatment as necessary. Develops and implements supervision plans. Supervises offenders through home and community contacts. Investigates employment/sources of income, lifestyle and associates to assess risk and compliance factors. Communicates with other organizations and persons concerning offenders’ behavior and adherence to conditions of supervision. Detects and investigates violations and implements appropriate sanctions or alternatives, and reports violations to the appropriate authorities. Prepares reports, which may include application of U. S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines. Makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court hearings.
Qualifications
Broad knowledge of criminal justice system. Ability to evaluate and apply statutes and implement regulations. Good knowledge of investigative and supervision techniques. Knowledge or experience of how other judicial processes/proceedings relate to his/her position, i.e., Federal Courts, Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Public Defender’s Office, etc. Skill in counseling offenders to obtain and maintain compliance with the conditions of their release. Skill in communicating orally and in writing, and in working with judges, counsel, and other law enforcement agencies. Knowledge of community resources. Basic computer skills.
Additional Qualifications Desired
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to deal with multiple demands in a fast-paced environment
- Experience with legal terminology and processes
- Ability to exercise mature judgment
- Demonstrated computer skills (keyboard, Windows, Word)
Age Requirement
First time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement officer retirement provision must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of the appointment. Applicants 37 or over who have previous law enforcement officer experience under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, may have this previous experience subtracted from their age requirement.
General Experience
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. One-year specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible experience gained after completion of the bachelor’s degree in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, law, corrections, counseling, criminal investigations, and substance/addiction treatment. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable. A master’s degree and related experience is preferred.
Employee Benefits
Employees of the U. S. Probation Office are not classified under Civil Service but are entitled to many of the same benefits. These benefits include:
- 13 paid vacation days each year for the first three years of employment, thereafter, up to 26 days each year and paid sick leave.
- Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), life insurance options, Thrift Savings Plan plus Social Security. Officers qualify for hazardous duty retirement benefits and are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of federal law enforcement service. Age 57 is the mandatory retirement age, with 20 years of federal law enforcement service.
- Participation in the Federal Health Insurance Program
- Ten paid holidays each year
- Excellent opportunities for within grade salary increase and grade increases based upon performance
Miscellaneous
Representative Investigation Duties - Investigates, prepares reports, and makes recommendations for sentencing of individuals, which requires interviewing offenders and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U. S. Sentencing Commission Guidelines and relevant case law. Presents presentence report and sentencing recommendations to the court. Responds to judicial officer’s request for information and advice. Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications. Analyzes any objections to the presentence report and determines appropriate course of action, including resolving disputed issues and/or presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution.
Representative Supervision Duties - Supervises offenders to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and provide correctional treatment as necessary. Develops and implements supervision plans. Supervises offenders through home and community contacts. Investigates employment/sources of income, lifestyle and associates to assess risk and compliance factors. Communicates with other organizations and persons concerning offenders’ behavior and adherence to conditions of supervision. Detects and investigates violations and implements appropriate sanctions or alternatives, and reports violations to the appropriate authorities. Prepares reports, which may include application of U. S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines. Makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court hearings.
Application Info
Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and competed form AO78 to the following address:
U.S. Probation Office
Frank M. Johnson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse Complex
Attn: Human Resources Division
One Church Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.