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Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer

General Experience

Required Education/Experience: Completion of 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 relations skills involved in the position. One-year specialized experience. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible experience gained after completion of the bachelor’s degree in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, law, corrections, counseling, criminal investigations, and substance/addiction treatment. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable. A master’s degree and related experience is preferred.

Additional Qualifications Desired:

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to deal with multiple demands in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with legal terminology and processes
• Ability to exercise mature judgment
• Demonstrated computer skills (keyboard, Windows, Word)

Age Requirement: First time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement officer retirement provision must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of the appointment. Applicants 37 or over who have previous law enforcement officer experience under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, may have this previous experience subtracted from their age requirement.

Benefits

Employees of the U.S. Probation Office are not classified under Civil Service but are entitled to many of the same benefits. These benefits include:

• 13 paid vacation days each year for the first three years of employment, thereafter, up to 26 days each year and paid sick leave.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), life insurance options, Thrift Savings Plan plus Social Security. Officers qualify for hazardous duty retirement benefits and are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of federal law enforcement service. Age 57 is the mandatory retirement age, with 20 years of federal law enforcement service.
• Participation in the Federal Health Insurance Program
• 10 paid holidays each year

Miscellaneous

Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo an OPM background investigation, 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 by the court. In addition, as conditions 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 and drug screening. The selectee will be required to attend and successfully complete the training academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center on a TDY status. New officers must have a degree of physical fitness to enable them to complete this training. Officers will also be expected to maintain a level of physical fitness necessary to effectively respond to life-threatening situations in the performance of their duties. This position requires the incumbent to carry a firearm and qualify and maintain firearms proficiency. Persons who have been convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors, including a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (Title 18, U.S.C. section 922(g)(9)) are not eligible to possess a firearm or ammunition.

The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers, pretrial officers and officer assistants are available for public review at http://www.uscourts.gov/.

A written test may be required for all qualified candidates unless you are currently a federal probation officer or pretrial officer seeking a transfer.

Mandatory electronic funds transfer for payment of net pay.

Applicants must be a citizen of the United States.

Only those applicants considered for an interview will receive further notification in writing.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the job announcement, any of which actions may occur without any prior written notice. The Court requires employees to adhere to a Code of Ethics and Conduct which is available to applicants for review upon request. This position is considered an at-will position. Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid.

How To Apply

Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and competed form AO78 to the following address:

U.S. Probation Office
Frank M. Johnson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse Complex
Attn: Human Resources Division
One Church Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104

In addition to mailing application packages, they may be emailed to the HR Manager at henrietta_foster@almb.uscourts.gov (link sends e-mail).

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.