U.S. Probation Officer

U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services in the District of Minnesota has its headquarters in the U.S. Courthouse located at 300 South Fourth Street, Suite 406, Minneapolis, Minnesota. There are four field offices located in Bemidji, Duluth, Fergus Falls, and Saint Paul. The Probation and Pretrial Services Office serves the Judicial District of Minnesota, which includes 87 counties.

U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Officers (USPOs) serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and assist in the administration of justice and promote community safety, gather information, supervise persons under supervision, interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports, conduct investigations, and present recommendations to the court.

USPOs, for the District of Minnesota, are committed to enhanced community supervision programming focusing more on evidence-based practices. The selected candidate will serve under the guidance of a supervisor.

An entry level U.S. probation Officer position with a starting grade of CL-26 may be considered. The salary table used is dependent upon the position location. Promotion potential is possible within the classification and salary range without further competition. This position is considered hazardous duty, which may require irregular work hours, to include nights, weekends, and holidays. This position may also require frequent travel to divisional offices and a valid driver’s license.

One year of specialized experience equivalent to work at the CL-23; or Completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements:

Two years of specialized experience, including at least one-year equivalent to work at the CL-25; or completion of a master’s degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Two years of specialized experience, including at least one-year equivalent to work at the CL-27

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, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

The ideal candidate may also possess the following preferred skills:

Prior to appointment, the selected candidate must undergo a medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion, the candidate may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the Court.

Officers must possess, with or without corrective lenses, good distance vision in at least one eye and the ability to read normal size print. Normal hearing ability, with or without a hearing aid, is also required. Any severe health problems, such as physical defects, disease, and deformities that constitute employment hazards to the applicant or others, may disqualify the candidate.

As conditions of employment, the selected candidate will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigations every five years, and as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, and may be subject to subsequent fitness for duty evaluations.

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 who have previous law enforcement officer experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or the 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 law enforcement officer experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.

To be considered for a transfer within the Judiciary, an applicant must be a current U. S. Probation Officer with one to four years’ experience, in good standing (including consistent, high quality job experience/performance), and preferably had their initial background investigation completed and adjudicated. If the initial background has not been completed and adjudicated, the district reserves the right to conduct its own investigation into the applicant’s background. U.S. Probation Officers transferring from another district are not required to undergo a medical examination, drug testing, nor the initial OPM background investigation. However, all applicable standards for the background reinvestigation apply. The Chief U.S. Probation Officer may, at his discretion, request drug and/or medical testing be conducted if, through direct or objective evidence, finds an officer is unable to perform the essential job functions, as defined in the medical guidelines. Also, at the Chief’s discretion, the most recent reinvestigation report completed on behalf of the officer may be examined.

Work is performed in an office setting and the community and may be subject to variable hours, including nights, holidays, and weekends. Work requires regular contact with people who have violent backgrounds. These contacts may be made in both generally controlled office settings as well as in field situations (such as uncontrolled and unsafe neighborhoods/environments where illegal activities and violence may occur). The duties of USPOs require the investigation and management of alleged criminal offenders or convicted offenders who present physical danger to officers and 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 of officer safety, and use of self-defense tactics.

Candidates selected for interviews will be required to participate in job-related testing as part of the screening process. Prior to appointment, the selected candidate must undergo a local records check, full OPM background investigation, finger printing, medical examination, check of financial and credit records, and drug screening.

New employees engaging in work for the District of Minnesota are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required prior to entrance on duty.

New USPOs receive extensive training during their year of employment. USPOs must also successfully complete a six-week national training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Probation and Pretrial Academy), in Charleston, South Carolina.

Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments and are considered “at-will” and may be terminated with or without cause or notice by the Court.

The United States District Court requires employees to adhere to a Code of Conduct Policy.

This position is also subject to mandatory Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

The mandatory separation age for positions covered under law enforcement retirement is 57, with 20 years of service (5 U.S.C. 8335(b)) and 8425(b).

Qualified candidates must send the following information to HR-USDC@mnd.uscourts.gov

• Application for Employment (AO78) – complete entirely.

• A cover letter (not to exceed three pages), which includes a concise description of the following:

• A resume, which includes dates of employment, duties and responsibilities, and key accomplishments.

• Names and contact information of three professional references.

All application materials must be attached to the email as directed. Materials received will be reviewed to identify the best qualified candidates. Applicants selected to proceed to the next phase of the selection process will be notified. Interviews for this position will occur either in-person or virtually the week of August 16, 2021. Applicants selected for interviews should make themselves available during this time frame. If appearing in-person, applicants must travel at their own expense.

The U.S. District Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date, any of which action may occur without prior written notice.