Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer Special Population Specialist
| Court Name/Organization | New York Southern Probation Office |
| Overview of the Position | The U.S. Probation Office for the Southern District of New York has an open vacancy for a U.S. Probation Officer Special Population Specialist located in the city of White Plains, NY. The U.S. Probation Officer Special Population Specialist manages a caseload that includes a significant proportion of supervisees of a specialized type and serves as local subject matter experts on cases of this type. |
| Location | White Plains, NY |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 09/18/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 29 |
| Salary | $100,335 - $163,075 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | http://probation.nysd.uscourts.gov/human-resources |
| Announcement Number | 2026-11 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The U.S. Probation Officer Special Population Specialist manages a caseload that includes a significant proportion of supervisees of a specialized type and serves as local subject matter experts on cases of this type. This position is intended to focus primarily on individuals convicted of sex offenses and computer-related crimes. In addition to supervising a caseload of primarily elevated risk cases, the incumbent will also serve as the in-house authority of matters relating to the in-district Sex Offender Management Program. Duties include providing officer training, oversight of aspects of the program. As the needs of the district change, the Special Population Specialist might supervise individuals in other special populations.
The primary focus of the job is to fulfill statutory requirements to supervise supervisees, make recommendations to the court, evaluate needs and conditions, and maximize compliance for the purpose of ensuring community safety an facilitating prosocial change. A proper recommendation to the court maximizes the protection to the public. Society benefits from successful supervision and the use of detention alternatives by saving the costs of incarceration. Incumbents’ work assists officers and the court by developing programs for supervisees with specialized needs. Proper judicial recommendations reduce the number of incarcerations while maximizing the protection of the public. The specialized programs developed and managed by Special Population Specialists aid judicial officers in making decisions concerning the supervisees specific needs. Successful management of special needs benefits the supervisee, family members, employers, and others in the community.
Qualifications
To qualify for the position of U.S. Probation Officer Specialist, an applicant must have a minimum of three years specialized experience as a U.S. Probation Officer or U.S. Pretrial Services Officer. At least one year must be at a CL‐28 level.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Demonstrated leadership ability
- Provide support and mentorship
- Contributions to a district or the Federal Probation or Federal Pretrial Services System
General Experience
Complexity and Decision Making: The position involves making independent decisions within the context of professional standards, broad policies, and general goals. Incumbents gather and analyze information to determine or recommend the best course of action. Management of defendants/supervisees with specialized needs is complex and often controversial. Recommending a specialized approach or making program referrals, often over the protests of the defendant/supervisees, is difficult. Staying abreast of developments in the specialized area adds to the complexity of the position. Incumbents require minimal supervision in most areas. Incumbents have discretion in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs as they relate to the area of specialization.
Specialized Experience
Progressively responsible experience in the investigation, supervision, counseling, and guidance of supervisees in community corrections or pretrial programs is required. Experience in closely allied fields such as, social worker, caseworker, psychologist, and substance abuse treatment specialist may constitute a portion of the specialized experience. Experience as a police officer, FBI agent, customs agent, marshal, or similar positions do not meet the requirements of specialized experience. Specialized experience must be earned after the bachelor's degree has been granted.
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
The incumbent 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.
Work Environment and Physical Demands: Work is performed in an office setting and in the community and may be subject to variable hours, including nights and weekends. Work requires regular contact with people who have violent backgrounds. These contacts may be made in both generally controlled office settings as well as in field situations (such as uncontrolled and unsafe neighborhoods/environments where illegal activities and violence may occur). The duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of the justice involved who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these supervisees, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary for officer safety, and use of self-defense tactics.
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).
Your cover letter should be no more than three pages and address the following:
- Your experience as a leader in a professional organization.
- Your contributions to a district or the Federal Probation and Pretrial Services
- What do you believe are the most significant challenges in supervising special populations? How would you, as a leader, ensure staff have the training, resources, and support necessary to effectively manage these cases while maintaining a consistent, evidence-based approach to supervision?
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
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.