Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer - Presentence Investigations

Company: United States Courts
Location: New York
Posted on: November 26, 2022

Job Description:

Job Details for U.S. Probation Officer - Presentence Investigations Court Name/Organization: New York Eastern Probation Office Overview of the Position: The U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of New York is accepting applications for the position of U.S. Probation Officer within the Presentence Division. The agency is comprised of two divisional offices (Brooklyn and Central Islip, NY), with the Brooklyn location being the headquarter office. More than one position may be filled from this vacancy. U.S. Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and assist in the fair administration of justice, provide community safety, conduct objective investigations, supervise offenders, interact with outside agencies and community members, and prepare reports and present recommendations to the court. Probation officers (in the Presentence Division) conduct presentence investigations and prepare reports for the court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals convicted of federal offenses. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing defendants and their families; summarizing defendants' prior criminal records and financial status; investigating the offense and contacting law enforcement agencies and attorneys, conducting home inspections, and collecting and verifying background data from various sources. The purpose of these activities is to gather the information needed to present factual reports to the court for purposes of sentencing.Perform thorough and independent investigations of the offenses, offense conduct, and victim impact by using appropriate investigative skills and relying on verified information sources.Seek input from the parties, attorneys, case agents, and other sources to obtain information and evidence associated with each case.Obtain and analyze criminal history information and acquires specific details and documents needed to assess a defendants' criminal record for consideration at sentencing. Interprets and applies policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and relevant case law. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of these sources through accurate calculations and correct selection of sentencing options in the presentence report, the addendum, and/or the recommendation letter.Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates of defendants to assess and identify mitigating and aggravating sentencing factors, risk and likely future compliance under supervision and the need for correctional treatment, monitoring and counseling.Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities to determine a defendant's ability to pay a fine and/or restitution. Interviews victim(s) and provides victim impact statements to the court.Prepare accurately written, cohesive and thorough sentencing recommendations, including conditions of supervision, with well-reasoned analysis that incorporates the aggravating and mitigating factors listed in 18 U.S.C. - 3553(a).Analyze and respond to any objections to the presentence report. Provides the court with our position on such objections, which are incorporated in an addendum to the presentence report.Probation officers often testify in court as to the basis for their factual findings, guideline applications, legal determination, or sentencing recommendations.The U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of New York's mission is to make the community safer by facilitating the administration of justice, providing opportunities for positive change while maintaining professional integrity, dignity, and respect for all. As a partner in the national federal probation system, the office is guided by the Charter for Excellence.QualificationApplicants must be U.S. citizens. Applicants must possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, 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. -In addition to possessing a four-year degree, applicants must also have two years of specialized experience or the completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position or a Juris Doctor (JD) degreeGeneral Experience

• Experience as a probation officer on a federal, state or county level is desirable
• Knowledge of federal law and the criminal justice system and how it relates to the roles and functions of a U.S. -Probation Officer
• Excellent written and oral communication skillsKnowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other investigative databasesSpecialized ExperienceSpecialized experience is defined as 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. Experience as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, without any criminal investigative experience, is not creditableEmployees of the U.S. Probation Office are not covered by the Office of Personnel Management's civil service classification system or regulations. Employees of the U.S. Probation Office are Judicial Branch employees under the United States Courts. Judicial employees serve under an "excepted appointment," and are considered "at-will" employees. Probation officers participate in the Federal Law Enforcement Hazardous Duty Retirement program. Federal benefits include: retirement, health and life insurance, flexible benefits, disability insurance and long-term care benefits, and paid vacation and sick leave. Employees contribute to a tax-deferred Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K plan) and have ten federal holidays per year. Creditable time in service in other federal agencies, or the military, will be added to judiciary employment when computing employee benefits. Positions are subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit).Maximum Entry AgeFirst-time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement officer retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. Applicants 37 or over who have previous federal law enforcement officer experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or Federal Employees' Retirement System and who have either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer position may have their previous federal law enforcement experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.Medical and Background RequirementsThe duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of alleged offenders or convicted offenders who present physical danger to officers and to the public. In the supervision, treatment, and control of these offenders, 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-defensive 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 charged with criminal offenses or convicted of committing federal offenses.The medical requirements for law enforcement officer positions are available for public review -by searching for Officer and Officer Assistant Medical Requirements . Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position will undergo a medical examination, complete a ten-year background investigation and a drug screening. Upon successful completion of all components, the selectee will 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.Per current Eastern District of New York Judiciary Policy, new employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required prior to entrance on duty.How To ApplyQualified applicants must submit the following:
  • Resume
  • Letter of interest which indicates the applicant's knowledge, skills, and experience as they relate to the position.
  • AO-78 (Application for Judicial Branch Employment which can be obtained from www.nyep.uscourts.gov in the job applicants/internships section)
  • College transcripts (copies will be accepted at the time of application, but official versions will be required if selected for an interview).Applicants must submit all of the documents to be considered for this position, and all information is subject to verification. Incomplete applications will not be considered and will disqualify applicant from further consideration. Mail application packets to:U.S. Probation Office
    Eastern District of New York
    147 Pierrepont Street
    Brooklyn, New York 11201Attn: Human Resources DivisionRe: Vacancy Announcement NYEP 22-12 - CONFIDENTIALE-mailed submissions may be sent to: NYEP_Human_Resources@nyep.uscourts.gov (link sends e-mail) . If applying electronically, do not also submit application via mail. Please include the vacancy # in the subject line of the email. All electronic submissions must be in pdf format and submitted as one full document.The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

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