United States Probation Officer(s)
Company: US District Court
Location: Sioux City
Posted on: February 13, 2025
Job Description:
The United States District Court for the Northern District of
Iowa Announces an Opportunity at the
United States Probation & Pretrial Services Office
Position: United States Probation Officer - VA 25-02
LOCATION: Duty station may be either Cedar Rapids or Sioux
City.
United States Courthouse
111 7 th Avenue SE, Box 14
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401-2101
United States Courthouse
320 6 th Street, Suite 200
Sioux City, Iowa 51101-1262
CLASSIFICATION LEVEL: CL25-CL28
More than one position may be hired from this posting. Promotional
potential from a CL25 to CL28 without further competition is
possible and is based on individual experience and performance, and
at the discretion of the Chief U.S. Probation Officer and approval
of the Chief Judge.
SALARY RANGE: $48,890 - $115,213
The salary range listed here reflects the full pay scale spanning
across all classification levels for this position. Starting
salaries depend on education, skills, and experience. New
incumbents may start in the developmental range of the lowest
classification level (CL) and increase incrementally towards full
performance and/or CL promotional advancements throughout their
career.
OPENING DATE: January 17, 2025
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled, but priority will be given to
applications received by February 28, 2025.
About Us: The Northern District of Iowa U.S. Probation Office has
locations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Sioux City, Iowa. Cedar Rapids
is the second largest city in the state and is vibrant with unique
attractions, exciting events, a dynamic art scene and a large
variety of restaurant and nightlife options. Sioux City is located
in northwest Iowa on the Missouri River. It is referred to as a
regional hub for its intersection of Iowa, Nebraska, and South
Dakota and it has twice been named an All-American City by the
National Civic League which recognizes communities excelling in
inclusivity, civic engagement, and strong connections between
citizens. VA 25-02 USPO
The Opportunity: The United States Probation Office, in the
Northern District of Iowa, is accepting applications for United
States Probation Officer(s) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and/or Sioux
City, Iowa. 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.
POSITION SUMMARY:
- Conducts pretrial investigations to include background
information and prepares pretrial reports for the court with
recommendations regarding risk of flight or risk of danger to the
community pending trial/court resolution of the defendant's pending
offense.
- Gathers comprehensive, factual information and verifies with
collateral resources.
- Provides written and/or verbal assistance to the court
regarding pretrial procedures in a clear, logical, and concise
format.
- Conducts presentence investigations and prepares reports for
the court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals
convicted of federal offenses.
- The preparation of these reports requires interviewing
offenders and their families, investigating the offense, prior
record and financial status of the offender, and contacting
collateral sources.
- An integral part of this process is the interpretation and
application of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant case
law.
- Following disclosure of the presentence report to the parties,
analyzes any objections and determines appropriate course of
action.
- Such actions include resolving disputed issues and /or
presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution.
- Presents presentence report and sentencing recommendations to
the court.
- Supervises people under supervision to provoke positive
lifestyle changes and to maximize compliance to court-imposed
conditions, reduces risk to the community, and provides
correctional treatment.
- Assesses individual risks, develops objectives and strategies
for controlling risks, and addresses identified needs.
- Utilizes evidence-based practices into daily activities and
interactions with others.
- Maintains personal contact with people under supervision by way
of both office-based visits and home/community contacts which could
take place in unsafe neighborhoods or environments where illegal
activities and/or violence could occur.
- Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and
associates to assess risk, needs, and compliance to conditions of
supervision.
- Responsible for detection of substance abuse through
assessments and subsequently implements the necessary treatment
referrals and/or violation proceedings.
- Detects and investigates violations of supervision and
implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions.
- Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the
court and appropriate authorities.
- All officers communicate with and seek information from
collaborative organizations and persons such as the U.S. Parole
Commission, Bureau of Prisons, client families, community partners,
public safety/law enforcement officials, treatment providers,
victims, and attorneys concerning client progress, behavior,
history, and/or conditions of supervision.
- Officers prepare an array of detailed reports, which may
include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and
responses to judicial officers' request for information.
- Officers may testify in court as to the basis of factual
findings, case information, and guideline applications and may
serve as resource to the court to facilitate proper impositions of
sentences.
- Officers are required to maintain a detailed written record of
case activity.
- S. Probation Officers interpret and apply complex rules,
policies, and procedures while ensuring judicial and statutory
requirements are being met.
- Mandatory evenings and weekend work is required for supervision
activities and/or mission critical tasks.
- Some training and travel, including overnight stays, is
required.
- May be required to work more than 40 hours per week in order to
meet job requirements and deadlines.
- This is a salaried position; overtime pay is not authorized by
the Judicial Conference of the United States.
- Compensatory and/or flexible schedules may be allowed.
- Performs related duties and all other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (for a CL 25):
(Qualifications must be met at the time of application and may be
reassessed throughout incumbent tenure)
- A citizen of the United States or be eligible to work in the
United States;
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or
university in a field of academic study which provides evidence of
the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and
human relations skills involved in the position;
- A minimum of one (1) year of "specialized experience" is
necessary to qualify at the CL25 level;
- Excellent professional references and computer
abilities;
- A driver's license is required to conduct field work;
- The successful applicant must be mature, responsible,
organized, and demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
- Must also possess a positive attitude, integrity, tact,
initiative, and the ability to work with a wide variety of people
with diverse backgrounds;
- Must be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines;
and
- Must have the ability to interact and communicate effectively,
both orally and in writing.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
- Specialized experience is defined as: progressively responsible
experience, gained after completion of a bachelor's degree, in such
fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, social
work, or work in substance/addiction treatment.
- Per national policy, experience as a police officer, custodial,
or security officer (other than any criminal investigative
experience) does not qualify as specialized experience for this
position.
- An education substitution option for the "Specialized
Experience" is listed below.
EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree as specified in the "Minimum
Qualifications" section and one of the following requirements may
be substituted for one year of specialized experience:
- An overall "B" grade point average (GPA); or a "B+" (3.5) GPA
specifically in your major field of study;
- Standing in the upper third of the class;
- Completion of one (1) academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter
hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the
position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Completion of an advanced degree from an accredited university
is preferred;
- Fluency in a foreign language; licensure or certification in a
behavioral science (LMSW, CADC, LPC, etc.);
- Exceptional writing skills; analytical skills; and ability to
reason;
- Experience in probation work, conducting presentence
investigations, and/or maintaining a caseload; and
- Previous community corrections and/or social service experience
is highly desired.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS and BACKGROUND CHECKS
- Pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, all final applicants
for hazardous law enforcement positions will undergo a drug
screening and medical examination by Public Health Service
physicians or other Federal Occupational Health approved physicians
using the medical guidelines developed by Federal Occupational
Health, Law Enforcement Medical Program. This process could take
several weeks.
- The duties of law enforcement positions require investigation
and management of persons under supervision who may present
physical danger to officers and to the public.
- In the supervision, treatment, and control of these persons
under supervision, these duties could 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 defense tactics.
- On a daily basis, law enforcement positions may face unusual
mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and
possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who
are suspected or convicted of committing federal offenses.
- Because law enforcement positions must effectively deal with
physical attacks, and are subject to moderate arduous physical
exertion, applicants must be physically capable of effectively
performing these duties and are subject to fitness for duty
examinations.
- Vision and hearing must also be adequate to perform the duties
listed safely and effectively.
- The medical requirements for law enforcement officer and
officer assistant positions are available for public review on the
UScourts.gov website under Officer and Officer Assistant Medical
Requirements - United States Courts (uscourts.gov).
- To expediate the hiring process, the incumbent may be asked to
obtain a preliminary medical assessment at their own cost with
their own physician. This would be discussed at time of
offer.
- Upon successful completion of the initial medical examination
(including drug screening) and a preliminary criminal record check,
the selectee may then be appointed provisionally, pending a
favorable suitability determined by the court.
- Favorable suitability determination includes an additional
formal medical background check through Federal Occupational Health
services (at no cost to the incumbent) and a full background
investigation completed by the Office of Personnel Management
(OPM).
- If the formal medical background or OPM report reflects any
findings of a negative nature or disqualifying actionable issues,
suitability will be reconsidered by the Chief District Judge and
the Chief U.S. Probation Officer and continued employment as a U.S.
Probation Officer could be terminated.
- All appointments subject to FBI Fingerprint and security
clearance background investigation; with periodic reinvestigation,
if applicable.
- In addition, employees 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 also
subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations.
MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE
This is classified as a federal law enforcement hazardous duty
position. As such, officers will be subject to mandatory retirement
by the age of 57. Additionally, you will be 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 age 37 or over who have previous law enforcement
experience under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and who have either a
subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law
enforcement position may have their previous law enforcement
officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether
they meet the maximum age requirement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Mandatory evenings and weekend work is required for supervision
activities and/or mission critical tasks.
- Some training and travel, including overnight stays, is
required.
- May be required to work more than 40 hours per week in order to
meet job requirements and deadlines.
- Overtime pay is not authorized by the Judicial Conference of
the United States.
- The U.S. Pretrial Services & Probation Office reserves the
right to assign/reassign an employee to any unit (pretrial,
presentence, or supervision) and/or specialized area, based on
employee qualifications and the needs of the agency.
- Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of
information on any application materials or the inability to meet
the aforementioned conditions may be grounds for non-selection,
withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being
employed.
- All information provided by applicants is subject to
verification of application materials, social media inquiries, and
criminal history record checks conducted by utilizing local, state,
and national databases.
- The United States Probation Office reserves the right to check
references and contact former employers and subordinates.
- Commencing on the date of duty, the selectee will be required
to complete a probationary period of up to two years.
- This period provides time for the employee to work directly
with their supervisor (and mentor, if assigned) to become
acquainted with office policies, receive proper exposure and
training to the functions of the assigned position, and become
generally acclimated to the U.S. Courts.
- This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer
for payment of net pay.
- Our Commitment to Diversity and Wellness:
- We are committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and
connectedness that supports life balance and honors the diverse
backgrounds of the people we represent.
- In recruiting members of our team, we welcome all qualified
applicants.
- We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to
our office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and
lived experiences.
- We know that the best representation occurs through a healthy,
diverse, collaborative, and inclusive workforce.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:
- Up to 13 days paid vacation per year for the first 3 years of
employment; 20 to 26 days per year thereafter (dependent upon the
length of federal service).
- A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year.
- Sick leave of 13 days the first year, increased thereafter per
policy.
- Up to 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave, if
qualified.
- Excellent retirement package (enhanced Federal law enforcement
retirement benefits)
- 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.
- Cost-of-Living Adjustments, as approved by Congress.
- Full extension of health benefits.
- 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. Optional association based
memberships.
- On-site wellness room and emphasis on self-care.
- Flexible schedule options including work from home
opportunities (after a period of establishment and good
performance).
- Paid parking.
- A great team environment that values wellness and
diversity.
- For additional information, please visit
www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
Email the following documents IN A SINGLE PDF to
HR@IANP.USCOURTS.GOV
Subject of Email should read: 25-02 USPO
SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION:
Letter of application that describes your interest in pursuing this
position and how your experience relates to the stated duties,
responsibilities, and skills and abilities of the position;
Completion of the AO78-Federal Judicial Branch Application of
Employment, accessed at:
Resume with references;
Copies of college transcripts; and
Copies of two most recent performance-based evaluations from
current and/or previous employers.
The court provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with
disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act.
If you need a reasonable accommodation, please notify Human
Resources at hr@ianp.uscourts.gov.
Applicants may view the district's Employment Dispute Resolution
(EDR) Plan on our website at .
Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments and are
considered "at will" employees which can be terminated with or
without cause by the Court.
All court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct
for Judicial Employees which is provided to each employee and is
available to view here: .
Fully appointed U.S. Probation Officer Assistants may be removed by
the Court for unacceptable performance, misconduct, or other cause,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C ยง 3602(a).
The Court is not authorized to reimburse candidates for travel in
connection with an interview or to pay relocation expenses to the
successful candidate.
Interviews and testing may be conducted with finalists. Only
applicants who are interviewed will receive a response regarding
their application.
The U.S. Probation Office reserves the right to modify the
conditions of this job announcement or to withdrawal the
announcement without written notice to the applicants.
More than one position could be hired from this posting.
If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available
within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the U.S.
Probation Office may elect to select a candidate from the original
qualified applicant pool.
Posting may be continuously posted and/or reposted to address
district vacancy needs.
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Keywords: US District Court, Sioux City , United States Probation Officer(s), Other , Sioux City, Iowa
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