U.S. Probation Officer Full Time

POSITION OVERVIEW

The U.S. Probation Officer serves in a judiciary law enforcement position and
assists in the administration of justice and promote community safety, gather
information, supervise individuals under supervision, interact with collateral
agencies, prepare reports, conduct investigations, and present
recommendations to the court.

Current U.S. Probation Officers from other districts are welcome to apply.
The United States Probation Office reserves the right to modify the
conditions of this vacancy announcement, and/or fill multiple positions
from this vacancy announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to
fill the position sooner than the closing date without prior written notice.
If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a
reasonable time of the original announcement, the Chief Probation Officer
may elect to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool.
We appreciate your interest in employment with our district.

Applicants who previously applied under Vacancy Announcement
2026-002 will automatically be considered.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• The probation officer gathers and verifies background information concerning persons charged with a
federal criminal offense when they are arrested or summoned to the Court. Law enforcement automated
criminal records systems are used to obtain and verify information. Evaluates information and prepares a
report to the judge prior to the initial hearing. Assesses flight risk and danger to the community, and
recommends bail and/or release, or detention of the defendant.
• Conducts investigations and prepares reports for the Court, with recommendations for sentencing
individuals convicted of federal offenses. Interviews defendants and their families. Contacts law
enforcement agencies, attorneys, victim(s) of the crime(s), and others as required for the accurate
preparation and presentation of presentence reports. Interprets and applies U.S. Sentencing Commission
guidelines and relevant case law. Submits presentence reports and sentencing recommendations to the Court.
• Supervises defendants that are released on pretrial supervision, probation, parole or supervised release.
Responsible for detection of substance abuse through assessment and counseling. Refers offenders to
appropriate outside agencies, such as medical and drug treatment facilities, employment, and training.
Monitors and manages offenders to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risk to the
community, and to provide correctional treatment. Officers are required to maintain a detailed written record
of case activity.
• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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 work of the position, is required for all probation officer positions. Candidate must be
computer literate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of an advanced degree from an accredited university is preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Word;
knowledge of evidence-based practices in community corrections.
• A successful candidate must demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills, be of outstanding
character, mature, responsible, poised, organized and meticulous. Must also possess tact, good judgement,
initiative, and the ability to work with a variety of people with diverse backgrounds.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicant must be a United States citizen or eligible to work in the United States.
• Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
• Employees of the United States Probation Office for the District of the Virgin Islands are excepted service
appointments. Excepted Service appointments are “at will” and can be terminated with or without cause by
the court.
• Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position must undergo 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 an OPM background investigation and updated
background investigations every five years, ongoing random drug screening and, as deemed necessary by
management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations.
• The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation
officers, pretrial services officers and officer assistants are available for public review at Officer and Officer

Medical Requirements.• U.S. Probation Officers participate as hazardous duty law enforcement officers under the Federal Employees
Retirement System (FERS). The incumbent is subject to mandatory retirement at age 57 with 20 years of
Federal law enforcement service.
• First-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 with previous hazardous duty
experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees’ Retirement System and
who may have had either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer
position may have their previous law enforcement officer experience subtracted from their age to determine
whether they meet the maximum age requirement.
• The duties of probation officers require the investigation and management of convicted criminal offenders
who present physical danger to officers and the public. Moderate to arduous physical exertion (including
prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary for officer safety
and use of self-defense tactics) is required in the supervision, treatment, and control of these offenders. On a
regular basis, probation officers and officer assistants face unusual mental and physical stress inasmuch as
they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are
convicted of committing Federal offenses.