Position Overview

The U.S. Probation Office for the Southern District of Texas is one of the largest federal probation offices among the country's 94 federal judicial districts. U.S. Probation is part of the federal judiciary, and together with the district courts, the appellate courts and the Supreme Court, make up the judicial branch of the federal government. The Southern District of Texas consists of the following seven divisional offices:  Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

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This position is contingent upon receiving sufficient funding. Although we anticipate receiving sufficient funds, the annual process of allocating the funds is yet to be completed.

Overview
By statute, probation officers are appointed by the district court.  Officers assist in the administration of justice, promote community safety by gathering information, supervising offenders, interacting with collateral agencies, preparing reports, conducting investigations, and presenting recommendations to the court. Officers may guide the work of other staff.  The incumbent conducts investigations, provides recommendations to the court, and supervises offenders.
 

Total Compensation:

Starting salary depends on qualifications, experience, and locality pay area.  Pay tables may be viewed here. Entry level officers start at CL 25 or CL 27; experienced officers can start at CL 28.

In addition to the opportunity to serve your country in a rewarding public service position, the federal judiciary, the third branch of the federal government, provides a generous benefits package which, in addition to salary, is an important component of total compensation:
 

• Time off:  13 days of paid vacation for the first three years, increasing with service thereafter, 13 sick days accrued per year, 11 paid holidays.
• Federal pension plan.
• Matching contributions on the first 5% of pay that you contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans. Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses with tax-free dollars.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

More information on benefits and working for the Judiciary may be found here.   

Representative Duties

• Conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations to the court. Interview offenders/defendants and their families and collect background data from various sources. Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and statutes; Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines; Monographs; and relevant case law, as applicable.
• Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems.  Work with appropriate specialist to implement necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
• Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/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, as warranted. Serve as a resource to the court. 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. Enforce home confinement conditions ordered by the court, and perform home confinement reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons, as applicable.
• Review and resolve disputed issues involving offenders/defendants and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess offenders'/defendants' level of risk and develop a blend of risk management strategies for controlling and correcting risk.
• Provide offenders/defendants with information on local resources and programs regarding employment, GED certification assistance, ongoing education, and vocational training. Identify interests, aptitudes, and abilities of offenders/defendants through interviewing and gathering appropriate information. Work with offenders/defendants toward integration into the job market through cross-training, mentoring, and the use of up-to-date technology.
• Communicate with other organizations and personnel (such as U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offenders'/defendants' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Discuss violations with Supervisory Officer. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters, and make recommendations for disposition. Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews. Guide the work of staff providing administrative and technical assistance to officers.

Qualifications

Entry Level Probation Officer Position

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with an overall "B" GPA (2.90+ out of a possible 4.0).

Experienced Probation Officer Position

Minimum Qualifications:

At least two years of specialized experience. Specialized experience is: progressively responsible experience with client-based case work, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in mental health/ substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, or psychology.  To be considered for a higher level probation officer position, an official job description for these positions is required and should be uploaded as an attachment to your application.

Experience in a clerical or administrative capacity or as a police, custodial, or security officer, is not considered specialized experience for this position.

All Levels of Probation Officer 

The successful applicant will have: the ability to communicate well orally and in writing;  the ability to organize, oversee, and complete multiple projects simultaneously, with limited supervision; the ability to maintain confidences, exercise mature judgment, and work harmoniously with others.  Also, be dependable, with a commitment to regular attendance. Possess knowledge of court operations.

Working knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite (including Word and Excel), Adobe Acrobat, WordPerfect and Windows is required.

You must attach your transcripts to your application before it will be considered complete. Official transcripts will be required for everyone who is interviewed.

Miscellaneous

Physical Requirements

U.S. Probation Officers are federal law enforcement officers. The duties of a probation officer require the investigation and management of criminal defendants/offenders who can present physical danger to an officer and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these defendants/offenders, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary to operate a firearm, and use of self-defense tactics. On a daily basis, officers face unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are convicted of committing Federal offenses.