Job Details for Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer (Type II)
| Court Name/Organization | New York Southern Probation Office |
| Overview of the Position | The Probation Office in the Southern District of New York is an evidence-based organization. We recruit, hire, and train capable and independent leaders who are dedicated to the mission of the U.S. Probation Office. We are committed to providing excellent service to the Court, inspiring positive change in justice-involved individuals, and protecting the community. We approach our work through an empirical lens, ground policies in research, and measure outcomes for the community and for defendants and persons under supervision. |
| Location | New York, NY |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 05/05/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 14 - JSP 17 |
| Salary | $148,222 - $209,600 |
| Announcement Number | 2026-05 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer (Type II), (referred to as the DCUSPO) is a senior-level executive and reports directly to the Chief U.S. Probation Officer (CUSPO). This seasoned professional is second-in-command and a trusted advisor to the CUSPO.
In close consultation with the CUSPO, the DCUSPO helps manage all operations of the U.S. Probation Office for the Southern District of New York. When necessary, the DCUSPO represents the CUSPO on the courthouse management team, comprised of Court Unit Executives (CUE) in the district, who collaborate and consult with the Chief Judge on Courthouse matters of mutual concern.
The DCUSPO is an essential member of the Probation Office’s Executive Team. The DCUSPO leads the Administrative Division (consisting of court unit’s Human Resources, IT, Administrative, and Budget/Finance/Procurement teams) and participates in oversight of the Investigative and Post-Conviction Supervision Divisions as needed.
This position is open to current U.S. Probation and U.S. Pretrial Services Officers only.
Representative duties of the DCUSPO include, but are not limited to:
- Assists the CUSPO in the formulation, implementation, evaluation and modification of policies in the district
- Assists in the selection of supervisory, professional and support personnel for appointment and promotion
- Participates in the organization and management of the office to ensure expeditious handling of investigative work for the courts, institutions, and parole authorities, and the effective supervision of probationers and parolees
- Supervises Assistant Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officers as assigned and fosters a climate of accountability at all levels of staff
- Assists in promoting and maintaining conditions which encourage staff loyalty, enthusiasm, and morale
- Assists in establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with other U.S. Probation Offices to assure all requests for assistance from other districts are met promptly and effectively
- Participates in systematic analysis of performance for all subordinates
- Oversees office staff including all clerical, professional, supervisory, and administrative personnel
- Assists in estimating personnel, space allocation, travel expenses, and purchases of services, equipment, and supplies
- Assists in establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with all components of the criminal justice system to include federal, state, and local law enforcement, correctional, and social service agencies
- Identifies training needs within the district
- Participates in public relations which explain probation, parole, and other correctional services to the community
- Confers with judges, attorneys, and other interested parties to interpret office policy and procedures
- Monitors community issues and events with special focus on alleviating hazardous office and field incidents
- Occasionally, deputy chief probation officers may perform the duties of a probation officer or supervising probation officer
- Performs related duties as required by the CUSPO and the court
- Some travel may be required
Qualifications
To qualify for the position of Deputy Chief Probation Officer Type II at JSP-17, 16, or 15, you must have seven years of specialized experience. To qualify for JSP-14, you must have six years of specialized experience. Specialized experience must be earned after the bachelor’s degree has been granted. Placement consideration at JSP levels 15, 16, and 17 will be at the discretion of the Chief Judge and/or Chief Probation Officer.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The candidate must maintain a high level of professionalism and consistently demonstrate tact, sound judgment, poise, initiative, and an exemplary work ethic. The candidate must possess the ability to work harmoniously with people from diverse backgrounds, organizations, and the public. The candidate must possess superior organizational and time management skills, communicate effectively both orally and in writing and balance the demands of varying workload responsibilities and deadlines.
The candidate must have strong leadership ability, including the capability to assume and delegate responsibility effectively, inspire confidence in others, and lead by example. In addition, the successful candidate must have made significant contributions to a district and/or within the Federal Probation and Pretrial Services System.
Assessment Criteria
All applicants will be rated in the following areas:
- Application Materials
- Personal Interview(s)
- Performance in Current Position
- Leadership and/or Management Experience
- Contributions to a district or the Federal Probation and Pretrial Services System
Environmental Demands, Background Investigations, and Medical Standards
A transferring U.S. Probation Officer is not required to undergo a medical examination, drug testing or the initial OPM background investigation. However, all applicable standards for the background reinvestigation apply. The Chief U.S. Probation Officer may, at his or her discretion, request drug and/or medical testing to be conducted if; through direct observation or objective evidence, finds an officer is unable to perform the essential job functions, as defined in the medical guidelines. Additionally, at the Chief’s discretion, the most recent reinvestigation report completed on behalf of the officer may be examined.
Area Of Consideration
Open to current U.S. Probation and U.S. Pretrial Services Officers
Specialized Experience
Progressively responsible experience in the investigation, supervision, counseling and guidance of offenders in community correction or pretrial programs is required. Progressively responsible experience might include, but is not necessarily, supervision or management of other staff. Experience in closely allied fields such as education guidance counselor, social worker, caseworker, psychologist, substance abuse treatment specialists, and correctional researcher may constitute a portion of the specialized experience. Experience in police officer, FBI agent, customs agent, marshal or similar positions does not meet the requirements of specialized experience. Specialized experience must be earned after the bachelor's degree has been granted.
Education Substitution
Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate study in one of the social sciences may be substituted for one year of the specialized experience; or completion of a master's degree or two years of graduate study (60 semester or 90 quarter hours) in an accredited university in one of the social sciences or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree may be substituted for two years of the specialized experience. Note: A degree which relies primarily upon credit for life experience rather than academic course work is not considered qualifying for substitution of educational experience for actual work experience under this section
Employee Benefits
- Paid Annual & Sick Leave
- Paid Holidays
- Employer subsidized Health Insurance
- Group Life Insurance
- Supplemental Vision/Dental Insurance
- Retirement Benefits Plan (FERS)
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
- Flexible Spending Accounts Transit Subsidy Program (pursuant to eligibility requirements)
- Pre-tax benefit programs
Miscellaneous
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. In order to be compensated with appropriated funds for a position within the continental United States, applicants must be:
- U.S. citizen,
- Lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) who is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B).
Note: Some noncitizen applicants who are permanent residents may not yet be eligible to apply for citizenship at the time they begin. Such individuals may still lawfully be employed if they provide an affidavit indicating that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
Employees of the U.S. District Court are not included in the government’s Civil Service classification and are at-will employees.
All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees available for public review on the USCourts.gov website.
Our Mission
We assist the Court in the fair administration of justice by preparing presentence reports with objective, verified information and unbiased sentencing recommendations.
We protect the community by promoting accountability for justice-involved individuals.
We create meaningful opportunities for positive change in the lives of individuals under our supervision.
Our Vision
We are most successful when we work together as one unified organization. We serve specific roles in presentence investigations, post-conviction supervision or administration, but we are each instrumental to organizational success.
We achieve excellence when all employees are engaged and work toward clear and common goals. We commit to a fully inclusive, diverse, and compassionate work environment. We aspire to a culture of commitment, respect and comradery that values the contributions of each staff member. Leadership decisions are mission driven, human centered and values based.
We strive to conduct presentence investigations that result in fair sentences for all defendants appearing before our Court. We seek out and verify all information necessary to determine an appropriate sentence. Our sentencing recommendations are thoughtful, unbiased, and consequential to the fair administration of justice.
We champion positive change in the lives of individuals under our supervision through respectful engagement, active observation, and individualized services. We influence our client population through our presence, problem-solving and support, community partnerships, and accountability interventions when necessary. Our interventions are fair, objective and evidence based.
Our Values
Respect. All people are entitled to dignity. We treat each other, our client population and community stakeholders with courtesy. We believe that respectful engagement is essential to achieving our mission.
Integrity. We are honest and fair. We prioritize duty. We meet our obligations with grace and professionalism. We hold ourselves accountable for always doing the right thing.
Service. We are passionate in our mission. We show empathy to our colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. We persevere through challenges and are determined to contribute to positive changes in the community and the lives of justice-involved individuals.
Application Info
To be considered for this position, please submit one PDF document that includes: a resume, cover letter, and an Application for Federal Employment (AO78). The Application for Federal Employment (AO78) can be downloaded from: AO78-pdf (uscourts.gov).
Your cover letter must indicate the position for which you are applying, the vacancy announcement number, and address the bullets below. Your cover letter should not be more than three pages.
- Your perspectives on leadership and management, particularly in times of significant change
- Your experience as a leader in a professional organization
- Your perspective on the mission of the U.S. Probation Office and your assessment of challenges facing the U.S. Probation system
- Your contributions to a district or the Federal Probation and Pretrial Services System
Contributions to a district or the Federal Probation System are activities that go beyond your job description. Examples could include organizing a district-wide training program or participating in a national AO, FJC, or USSC committee or commission.
Leadership experience should include the following:
- Nature of your leadership responsibilities
- Name of the organization
- Date of affiliation
- Supervisor or contact (name, address, and phone number)
Only applications submitted via email will be accepted. Please include the vacancy number and position title in the subject field of the email containing the application. Applications submitted as zip files, cloud files and/or links will not be accepted. Applications that do not conform to the above procedures will not be considered. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Please submit your application to: Careers@nysd.uscourts.gov
Important Notice
The selected candidate will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigations every five years, and as deemed necessary by the Chief U.S. Probation Officer for reasonable cause, subject to subsequent fitness for duty evaluations. A minimum of 40 hours of training is expected annually. This position may require some travel. Must have a valid driver’s license. If an office vehicle is not available incumbent is required to use personal vehicle. Reimbursement for gas mileage is authorized. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payment of net pay. The U.S. Probation Office reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the job announcement, which action may occur without prior written notice or other notice.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.