Job Details for Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer
| Court Name/Organization | Illinois Northern Probation Office |
| Overview of the Position | Promotion/Transfer Opportunity |
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 02/13/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 29 - CL 30 |
| Salary | $95,178 - $182,814 |
| Announcement Number | 26-03 |
Position Description
Position Title: Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer (division based on agency’s needs)
Number of Positions: More than one vacancy may be filled
Area of Consideration: Current federal judiciary employees who meet the required qualifications
Representative Duties:
- Supervise professional law enforcement, technical, and support staff in their duties, including establishing standards, evaluating performance, handling minor infractions, and recommending disciplinary actions
- Confer regularly with staff to provide direction and assistance in case situations and with general operational procedures. Receive, prioritize, and assign work to staff, ensuring that work is assigned fairly and equitably.
- Monitor time and attendance and evaluate and approve leave requests. Serve as a resource for officers and other staff to assist with performing work successfully and efficiently. Develop and implement training programs for officers and staff. Make recommendations regarding new hires, personnel actions, and terminations.
- Review and edit written work, including, but not limited to, correspondence and reports submitted to the court. Ensure that recommendations made by officers to the court adhere to local and national policies and guidelines. Ensure adequate coverage for office activities, court appearances, and related activities. Conduct audits and reviews of case work.
- Review and resolve disputed issues involving clients, and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution
- Develop recommendations and advise the court on appropriate issues. Assist senior managers in the formulation and modification of office management policies. Assist in monitoring the work of vendors and contractors, including negotiating terms of agreement, evaluating work, ensuring that contract terms are met, and related activities.
- Communicate and respond to management requests regarding case operations. Answer procedural questions for judges, staff, and the public. Provide customer service and resolve difficulties while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures.
- Analyze management reports for efficient distribution of work. Establish schedules and deadlines for completion of work.
- Abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment at all times. Handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- Perform any or all duties of a probation officer, including investigating and/or supervising clients
- Performs related duties as required or assigned by the Deputy Chief and/or Chief Probation Officer
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Candidates for the Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer role must have a history of meeting all probation officer job performance standards and may not be under a performance or work improvement plan. All probation officer positions require completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Three years of specialized experience*, including at least one year as a probation/pretrial services officer in the U.S. courts. *Specialized Experience: Includes progressively responsible administrative, technical, professional, supervisory, or managerial experience that provided an opportunity to gain: (1) Skill in developing the interpersonal work relationships needed to lead a team of employees, (2) The ability to exercise mature judgment, and (3) Knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, and theories of management and the ability to understand the managerial policies applicable to the judiciary unit involved.
In addition, applicants must have completed the Federal Judicial Center’s New Supervisors’ Development Program within one year of being offered the position or as soon as the Program is otherwise available.
Preferred Qualifications
The successful candidate must have the following: a broad knowledge of the criminal justice system; a comprehensive understanding of federal pretrial services, probation and parole legal requirements, policies and procedures; a thorough knowledge of investigative techniques; a familiarity with a wide variety of resources; superior communication skills, both verbal and written; the ability to organize and work under deadlines; the ability to exercise sound judgement, analyze situations and determine appropriate solutions to problems; the ability to be flexible and adapt to unanticipated needs and problems; the leadership skills required to lead and motivate a staff and provide counseling and training as required; the ability to maintain confidentiality and interact tactfully with a wide variety of individuals; and the ability to work as part of a team.
Expert knowledge of available resources. The successful applicant must have strong skills in conflict management, project management, organizational and time management, problem-solving, showing initiative, working independently, cultivating teamwork, professional ethics, thinking creatively, analyzing, information, and making recommendations.
The ideal candidate will also possess these preferred qualifications:
- Extensive knowledge of management principles, practices, and techniques
- Extensive knowledge of Core Correctional Practices
- Experience writing, reviewing, and editing presentence and/or post-conviction reports
Specialized Experience
Organizational Responsibilities
The Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer (SUSPO) will be responsible for the management of a team of U.S. Probation Officers. The SUSPO will handle all aspects of the team’s operations, including, but not limited to, case/investigation assignments, case reviews, court report reviews, case discussions, and statistical verification. The SUSPO will be responsible for planning and scheduling tasks and setting work priorities. This position involves addressing performance, behavioral, and time-and-leave issues, conducting performance evaluations, providing feedback, and guiding officers in their career development. The SUSPO will also work to promote a positive work environment. Additionally, this role requires attendance at management, supervisory, and court-related meetings, organizing and leading team meetings, and performing other duties as assigned.
Environmental Demands
Work is performed in an office setting and the community, and may be subject to irregular work hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Work requires contact with people who have violent backgrounds. These contacts may be made in both generally controlled office settings and in field situations (such as uncontrolled and unsafe neighborhoods/environments where illegal activities and violence may occur). Travel within and occasionally outside the district will be required.
Employee Benefits
Grade: CL 29 - CL30* (Pay Table – Locality CHI)
Salary Range: $95,178 - $182,814
Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.
*Position may be filled at either CL 29 or CL 30. If the position is filled at a CL 29, with acceptable performance, the employee may be promoted to level 30 without further competition.
Miscellaneous
Position Title: Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer (division based on agency’s needs)
Number of Positions: More than one vacancy may be filled
Area of Consideration: Current federal judiciary employees who meet the required qualifications
Representative Duties:
- Supervise professional law enforcement, technical, and support staff in their duties, including establishing standards, evaluating performance, handling minor infractions, and recommending disciplinary actions
- Confer regularly with staff to provide direction and assistance in case situations and with general operational procedures. Receive, prioritize, and assign work to staff, ensuring that work is assigned fairly and equitably.
- Monitor time and attendance and evaluate and approve leave requests. Serve as a resource for officers and other staff to assist with performing work successfully and efficiently. Develop and implement training programs for officers and staff. Make recommendations regarding new hires, personnel actions, and terminations.
- Review and edit written work, including, but not limited to, correspondence and reports submitted to the court. Ensure that recommendations made by officers to the court adhere to local and national policies and guidelines. Ensure adequate coverage for office activities, court appearances, and related activities. Conduct audits and reviews of case work.
- Review and resolve disputed issues involving clients, and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution
- Develop recommendations and advise the court on appropriate issues. Assist senior managers in the formulation and modification of office management policies. Assist in monitoring the work of vendors and contractors, including negotiating terms of agreement, evaluating work, ensuring that contract terms are met, and related activities.
- Communicate and respond to management requests regarding case operations. Answer procedural questions for judges, staff, and the public. Provide customer service and resolve difficulties while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures.
- Analyze management reports for efficient distribution of work. Establish schedules and deadlines for completion of work.
- Abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment at all times. Handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- Perform any or all duties of a probation officer, including investigating and/or supervising clients
- Performs related duties as required or assigned by the Deputy Chief and/or Chief Probation Officer
Application Info
For consideration, qualified applicants must provide the following in a single PDF:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Copy of two most recent performance appraisals
- Narrative addressing the below Quality Ranking Factors
Quality Ranking Factors
Applicants must submit a narrative statement addressing the factors listed below (three pages maximum):
- What do you believe the duties of a supervisor to be, and what skills, abilities, and experience in your background make you qualified for this specific position?
- What attributes do you possess that will make you a valuable addition to the existing supervisory team, and how would you ensure the continued advancement of collaboration and collegiality?
- How do you anticipate staying abreast of the research and developments in core correctional practices?
Complete applications should be submitted via e-mail to human_r_ilnp@ilnp.uscourts.gov. All application materials should be sent as a single PDF document. Please include the Position Announcement # and Position Title in the Subject line of the email. Save your document in the following format: Last Name, First Name. Failure to follow directions and/or submit a complete packet may disqualify you from consideration. If you are seeking a transfer opportunity, please include ‘Transfer SUSPO’ in the subject line and cover letter.
Opening Date: Feb. 13, 2026
Closing Date: Feb. 27, 2026 (or until filled). Priority given to applications received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2026.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.