Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer
| Court Name/Organization | Iowa Northern Probation and Pretrial Services |
| Location | Sioux City, IA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 10/15/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | CL 25, 27, or 28 |
| Salary | $51,419 - $116,394 |
| Announcement Number | 26-03 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The duties specified herein are intended to provide generalized examples of the major duties and responsibilities that are performed by a U.S. Probation Officer within any unit and do not reflect all duties performed by positions covered by this classification. Additional information regarding the fulfilling career opportunities as a U.S. Probation Officer is located at the following link: U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Careers. Position descriptions for U.S. Probation Officers are available on our website: Iowa Northern Probation Career Opportunities.
Pretrial Investigations Unit:
Conducts pretrial investigations by interviewing individuals and their families; compiling criminal history records; and verifying background information through collateral resources. Prepares a bond report that assesses risk of flight or risk of danger to the community pending resolution of the charged offense. Included within the bond report is a recommendation regarding detention or release of an individual who has been charged, as well as any conditions of release that may apply.
Presentence Investigative Unit:
Conducts investigations and prepares reports by interviewing individuals and their families; reviewing and summarizing the investigative materials; compiling criminal history records; investigating the financial status of the individual charged; and verifying background information through collateral resources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant case law. Provides testimony regarding guideline applications and serves as a resource to the court to facilitate proper imposition of sentences.
Pretrial and Post-Conviction Supervision Unit:
Integrates evidence-based practices into daily activities and interactions with individuals under supervision. Supervises individuals to provoke positive lifestyle changes, to maximize compliance with court-imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and provide correctional treatment. Develops supervision plans, maintains case records, and maintains office and field contacts with individuals under supervision to ensure adherence to court-imposed conditions and required correctional treatment. Detects and investigates violations of supervision, reports violations to the Court, and makes recommendations regarding the response to the reported violations.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study that demonstrates the capacity to understand and apply legal requirements and human relations skills relevant to the position
- Valid driver’s license
- U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the United States
Maximum Entry Age:
- Officers are eligible for retirement after 20 years of service at the age of 50, or after 25 years of service at any age. Therefore, first-time appointees must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment.
- Applicants aged 37 or over who have previous federal law enforcement experience under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) may have previous law enforcement officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement
Medical and Background Requirements:
- Medical requirements and essential job functions for officers are available for public review at U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Employment Suitability Requirements
- Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the selectee may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination following a full background investigation. In addition, as a condition of employment, incumbent will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigations every five years and, as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations.
Specialized Experience
- Progressively responsible experience in fields such as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, or mental health
- Experience as a police officer, custodial officer, or security officer is considered, but it does not qualify as specialized experience in determining the classification level
Employee Benefits
- Up to 13 days paid vacation per year for the first 3 years of employment and 20 to 26 days per year thereafter, depending on length of federal service
- A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year
- Sick leave up to 13 days in the first year
- Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Mandatory participation in the Federal Retirement System (FERS) and Social Security programs
- FERS Social Security supplement until the age of 62
- Optional Thrift Savings Plan (employer matching component) with diversification control
- Annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments, as approved by Congress
- Health benefits that can be carried into retirement
- Optional participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice (no waiting period)
- Optional vision, dental, and disability insurance programs of your choice (no waiting period)
- Optional participation in a flexible spending program for health and/or dependent care
- Optional participation in group life insurance, disability, and long-term care programs
- Flexible schedule options available
- Please review the Federal Employee Compensation Package
Application Info
- Email the following documents in a single PDF to HR@IANP.USCOURTS.GOV
- Email Subject Line: 26-03 USPO
- For additional questions, contact HR via email or phone at 319-286-2395
Submit the Following Application Packet:
- Letter of application describing your interest in the position, explaining how your experience relates to the stated duties, responsibilities, and required skills and abilities
- Completion of the AO78-Federal Judicial Branch Application of Employment
- Resume with references
- Copies of college transcripts
- Copies of the two most recent performance-based evaluations from current and/or previous employers
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.