U.S. Probation Officer

Summary The U.S. Probation Office for the Western District of Virginia, a combined district for probation and pretrial services, is currently accepting applications for experienced U.S. Probation Officers. The Probation Office currently consists of 44 employees who support 10 judicial officers and their staff located in six divisional offices (Abingdon, Danville, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg and Roanoke). Travel including overnight, within and outside the district, is required. Duties Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Officer, conduct investigations and prepare reports for the court with recommendations. Interview persons under supervision/defendants and their families and collect background data from various sources. During process, interpret and apply policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law, as applicable. Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Officer, enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and persons under supervision, investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and refer to appropriate specialists. Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of persons under supervision/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officers' requests for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications, if warranted. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Probation Officer, review and resolve disputed issues involving defendants/persons under supervision and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess persons under supervision'/defendants' level of risk and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risk management. Provide persons under supervision/defendants with information on local resources and programs regarding employment, GED certification assistance, ongoing education, and vocational training. Identify interests, aptitudes, and abilities of persons under supervision/defendants through interviewing and gathering appropriate information. Assist persons under supervision/defendants toward integration into the job market. Communicate with other organizations and personnel (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning persons under supervision/defendants' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Discuss violations with Supervisory Probation Officer. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at court or parole hearings. Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews. Qualifications

Level Minimum Education And/or Experience Requirements

CL-26: One year of specialized experience; or Completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements: An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0; Standing in the upper third of the class; "3.5" average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, human resources management, industrial relations, or psychology; or Election to membership in one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies; or Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position. CL-27: Two years of specialized experience; or Completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. CL-28: Two years of specialized experience. Specialized experience is progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment. Education A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or business or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relation skills involved in the position is required for all officer positions.