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Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer (Court Services)

Court Name/Organization Florida Southern Probation and Pretrial Services
Overview of the Position Conducts investigations and prepares presentence reports and/or pretrial services reports for U.S. Magistrate Judges and U.S. District Court Judges. Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and assist in the fair administration of justice, provide community safety, conduct objective investigations, interact with outside agencies and community members and prepare reports and present recommendations to the court.  The Court Services officer conducts investigations and prepares reports for the Court with recommendations concerning the release or sentencing of individuals who have been charged with or convicted of federal offenses. The pretrial report serves as a source of information about federally charged individuals, helping the Court make a release or detention decision. The presentence investigation report serves as a source of relevant information about convicted offenders, thus helping the Court determine appropriate sentences, aiding correctional personnel in classification and program activities, and assisting the parole authority in making its decisions. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing defendants and their families; investigating the offense, prior record and financial status of the defendant; and contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crime, schools, churches, and civic organizations. The incumbent writes all investigative reports in the required format using a grammatically correct, clear, and concise style. For presentence officers, an integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and relevant case law. The incumbent testifies in court as to risk factors, conditions of release, guideline applications and serves as a resource to the Court to facilitate proper imposition of sentence.
Location Southern District of Florida , FL
Opening and Closing Dates 05/26/2026 - 09/30/2026
Appointment Type Permanent
Classification Level/Grade CL 27 - CL 28
Salary $63,615 - $123,961
Link to Court Careers Information https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/job-listings
Announcement Number 2026-PRB-00 - Court Services
Link to Job Announcement

Position Description

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Conducts investigations and prepare reports for the Court with recommendations for release/detention or sentencing of individuals charged or convicted of federal offenses
  • Performs thorough and independent investigations of the charges, offense conduct and victim impact and contacts law enforcement agencies and attorneys. Interviews defendants and their families; summarizes defendants' prior criminal records; investigates personal history, including education, physical and mental health conditions, alcohol and substance abuse history, employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates of defendants to assess and identify mitigating and aggravating sentencing factors, risk and likely future compliance under supervision and the need for correctional treatment, monitoring and counseling, and financial status.
  • Interviews victim(s) and provides victim impact statements to the Court
  • Conducts home inspections and collects and verifies background data from various sources. The purpose of these activities is to gather the information needed to present factual reports to the Court for purposes of sentencing.
  • Interprets and applies policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and relevant case law and demonstrate thorough knowledge of these sources through accurate calculations and correct selection of sentencing options in the presentence report
  • Analyzes and responds to any objections related to the presentence investigation. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution.
  • Responds to judicial officers’ requests for information and advice
  • Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications
  • Serves as a resource to the Court and maintains detailed written records of case activity
  • Complies with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and Court confidentiality requirements and consistently demonstrates sound ethics and judgment
  • Other duties, as directed

Application Info

Send all attachments in one email message to the HR Mailbox. All attachments must be in Microsoft Word (.doc; .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.

Email address: flsd_hrmail@flsd.uscourts.gov

Subject Line: Probation Officer 2026-PRB-00

Attachments:

  • AO 78 – Federal Judiciary Branch Application for Employment
  • Hazardous duty supplement
  • Detailed resume
  • Copy of your most recent performance evaluation

The AO78 and Hazardous Duty Supplement is available on the court's website.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.