Job Details for Probation Services Technician
| Court Name/Organization | Wisconsin Western Probation and Pretrial Services |
| Overview of the Position | The Probation Services Technician provides technical, administrative, and case management support to probation officers in a wide range of areas. This includes gathering arrest and related criminal history information, reviewing and organizing financial documents, and assisting with data entry and database searches. The position will also assist with administrative support by electronically filing case documents, periodically reviewing the status of inactive cases, and providing secondary support as needed for reception and general clerical duties. This is a temporary position subject to the availability of funding. |
| Location | Madison, WI |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 03/30/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Temporary |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 23 |
| Salary | $40,346 - $65,631 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.wiwp.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities |
| Announcement Number | 26-03 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
- Under the guidance of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer, assist administratively with the supervision of a low-risk caseload by monitoring for non-compliant behavior of persons under supervision who are not required to make monthly personal contact with the probation office and completing case paperwork as required. These duties may include, but are not limited to, answering individuals under supervision’s questions, tracking monthly report and investigating noted changes, transmitting letters to individuals under supervision, maintaining chronological entries, conducting financial and criminal records checks, maintaining case files, work associated with the opening and closing of cases, processing travel requests, monitoring payment of criminal financial penalties and conducting financial investigations as needed, and communicating non-compliance issues to a probation officer or supervisory probation officer.
- Administer the district’s inactive caseload. Activities can include, but are not limited to, processing collateral law enforcement requests, conducting and reviewing records checks, conducting and/or initiating investigations, and work associated with the opening and closing of cases.
- Assist officers in obtaining verifiable and supportable documentation during presentence and pretrial services investigations, as well as for individuals to be released from prison or on supervision.
- Assist officers in conducting limited scope criminal history database inquiries and compile limited scope criminal history/profiles. Run record checks, including those designed to provide arrest, financial, and background information, through local and national databases and files. Submit collateral record inquiries and assist in record collection as needed. Provide officers with verifiable and supportable documentation to assist in the completion of reports.
- Assist officers in monitoring and processing monthly supervision reports. Verify financial status/balances and notifies officers of problems or issues. Review reports for completeness and provide a list of delinquent reports to officers.
- Conduct case file reviews and advise officers of matters needing their attention. Prepare and update case files and reports in investigation and supervision, at the direction of an officer and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Conduct same gender urinalysis and maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintain records of test results and inform probation officers of test results.
- Prepare and process routine correspondence and appointment notices. Compose routine correspondence for officers. Maintain correspondence control records and track correspondence through internal databases. Update chronological entries as required.
- Conduct case file reviews and advise officers of matters needing their attention.
- Update information in the Probation and Pretrial Services Automated Case Tracking System (PACTS). Set up new supervision case records and perform various case file management tasks.
- Provide secondary general office coverage duties such as, but not limited to, reception duties, and general clerical work.
- Participate in on-going training and development to remain current of evidence-based practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief U.S. Probation Officer.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position at a Classification Level (CL) 23, an applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have at least two years of general experience.
General Experience
Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the position’s duties.
Preferred Skills
In addition to the minimum qualifications, preference will be given to college graduates proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel. Preferred applicants will possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills, attentiveness to detail, strong organizational and time-management abilities, and a team-oriented approach that is adaptable to changing work demands.
Employee Benefits
Employees of the U.S. District Court are not covered by the Office of Personnel Management’s civil service classification system or regulations and are considered “at will” employees; however, Judiciary employees are entitled to the same benefits as other federal employees. Benefits for this position will depend on the duration of employment.
Miscellaneous
- Under the guidance of a probation officer or a supervisory probation officer, assist administratively with the supervision of a low-risk caseload by monitoring for non-compliant behavior of persons under supervision who are not required to make monthly personal contact with the probation office and completing case paperwork as required. These duties may include, but are not limited to, answering individuals under supervision’s questions, tracking monthly report and investigating noted changes, transmitting letters to individuals under supervision, maintaining chronological entries, conducting financial and criminal records checks, maintaining case files, work associated with the opening and closing of cases, processing travel requests, monitoring payment of criminal financial penalties and conducting financial investigations as needed, and communicating non-compliance issues to a probation officer or supervisory probation officer.
- Administer the district’s inactive caseload. Activities can include, but are not limited to, processing collateral law enforcement requests, conducting and reviewing records checks, conducting and/or initiating investigations, and work associated with the opening and closing of cases.
- Assist officers in obtaining verifiable and supportable documentation during presentence and pretrial services investigations, as well as for individuals to be released from prison or on supervision.
- Assist officers in conducting limited scope criminal history database inquiries and compile limited scope criminal history/profiles. Run record checks, including those designed to provide arrest, financial, and background information, through local and national databases and files. Submit collateral record inquiries and assist in record collection as needed. Provide officers with verifiable and supportable documentation to assist in the completion of reports.
- Assist officers in monitoring and processing monthly supervision reports. Verify financial status/balances and notifies officers of problems or issues. Review reports for completeness and provide a list of delinquent reports to officers.
- Conduct case file reviews and advise officers of matters needing their attention. Prepare and update case files and reports in investigation and supervision, at the direction of an officer and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Conduct same gender urinalysis and maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintain records of test results and inform probation officers of test results.
- Prepare and process routine correspondence and appointment notices. Compose routine correspondence for officers. Maintain correspondence control records and track correspondence through internal databases. Update chronological entries as required.
- Conduct case file reviews and advise officers of matters needing their attention.
- Update information in the Probation and Pretrial Services Automated Case Tracking System (PACTS). Set up new supervision case records and perform various case file management tasks.
- Provide secondary general office coverage duties such as, but not limited to, reception duties, and general clerical work.
- Participate in on-going training and development to remain current of evidence-based practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief U.S. Probation Officer.
Application Info
Please apply using the following link: Application Link
Complete the information fields and attach the following materials:
- An updated resume;
- A one-page letter of interest detailing your qualifications and your specific interest in the Probation Services Technician position;
- An Application for Judicial Branch Employment (AO78) (the form is included in the application link); and
- A list of three professional references including their relationship with you and their contact information.
Incomplete applications packets will not be considered. Only the candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Travel expenses associated with an interview will be borne by the applicant.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.