Supervisory U.S. Probation/Pretrial Officer (Presentence)

POSITION OVERVIEW
The U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Office is accepting applications for the position of Supervisory U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Officer (SUSPO). This position has promotion potential (CL29 to CL30) without further competition. The incumbent selected for this SUSPO position will provide front-line supervision and direction for employees assigned to the pretrial/presentence units within the Eastern District of Washington, as well as participate in the development and implementation of units and office-wide policies and procedures.
A SUSPO performs supervisory work related to the full range of probation or pretrial services officer law enforcement duties. The incumbent leads by example and demonstrates mature judgment, technical excellence, policy execution, staff development, and maintains a service-based viewpoint. The incumbent shall be knowledgeable in the full range of operations, and services to the Court and public. The duties of this position may include retaining line officer responsibilities along with supervisory duties. This position requires integrity, initiative, teamwork, creativity, flexibility, dedication and loyalty to the district’s mission. The SUSPO serves as a member of the management team and must be committed to lifetime learning and performing as a self-starter as he/she acquires the knowledge, skills, and abilities to fulfill this position.
The Eastern District of Washington geographically consists of 20 counties covering approximately 42,000 square miles. The probation office’s headquarters is in Spokane, Washington, with divisional offices in Yakima and Richland, Washington. Probation/Pretrial Services officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and serve under the direction of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
• Maintains an expert knowledge of federal statutes, sentencing guidelines, and relevant case law.
• Provides leadership and structure for the assigned unit, communicating and implementing relevant policies and procedures necessary under administrative and statutory requirements to ensure the quality of services meets the Court’s and agency standards.
• Assigns and monitors investigations, supervision, and other case work assigned to officers in the unit.
• Reviews and evaluates all work in the unit including pretrial/presentence investigation reports, case records, and correspondence to ensure maintenance of service delivery and adherence to existing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Confers regularly with officers and specialists providing direction and assistance improving investigative, research, writing, and oral skills.
• Assists officers in the application of federal sentencing guidelines and sentencing law, as well as the principles of evidence-based practices.
• Provides leadership in the development and utilization of community resources, and the application of professionally-sound case management principles.
• Assists officers in objective investigative evaluation and decision making for detention and sentencing recommendations to the Court.
• Assures continuing staff development by planning and implementing orientation and in-service training, holds individual staff conferences, mentors and monitors staff and develops increasing levels of responsibility in assignments.
• Conducts meaningful and consistent staff meetings.
• Assumes the responsibility for case handling in the absence of an officer.
• Evaluates the performance and professional development of officers in the unit on a systematic and regular basis.
• Maintains equity among subordinates in terms of performance standards and work performed.
• Provides a link between line staff and the management team, assuring implementation of administrative direction while concurrently providing information to the Chief U.S. Probation Officer for future administrative action.
• Effectively identifies performance and/or operational strengths and weaknesses and develops appropriate solutions for identified weaknesses.
• Participates in the development and/or revision of policies, procedures, and programs, initiates new ideas and recommends course of action for implementation, with goal to increase the effectiveness of the office.
• Remains current on relevant research, case law, guidelines, techniques and skills, focusing on the outcome.
• Supervises field travel, reviews and approves travel vouchers, and audits appropriate travel vouchers to case files and/or investigative work for accuracy.
• Participates in selection of candidates for vacant positions.
• Assists with interoffice problems encouraging staff toward resolution, accomplishes disciplinary action when required. Shares with other managers the responsibility of promoting staff morale, encouraging loyalty, interest, and enthusiasm.
• Maintains a supportive atmosphere and encourages a positive and constructive approach to assure best staff utilization, balanced workload and utilization of available resources.
• Develops cooperative relationships with law enforcement, community service agencies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, court chambers, etc.
• Maintains knowledge of office equipment, databases and software, and encourages example and implementation of innovative techniques for cost effective and time saving productivity;
• May retain line officer responsibilities along with supervisory duties.
• Certifies staff’s time and attendance as the leave approving authority for the unit.
• Champions and manages change.
• Travels as needed to divisional offices and other destinations for work-related reasons.
• Complies with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Demonstrates sound ethics and mature judgment at all times. Handles confidential information in a careful and deliberate manner.
• Performs related duties as required/assigned by the Chief U.S. Probation Officer.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
For CL 29: Candidate must possess a minimum of three years of specialized experience, including at least one year as a CL 28 probation/pretrial services officer in the U.S. Courts.
For CL 30: Candidate must possess a minimum of three years of specialized experience as a U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Officer, including at least one year at the CL-29 level.
Specialized Experience
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 coupled with progressively responsible administrative, technical, professional, supervisory or managerial experience that provided an opportunity to gain skill in developing the interpersonal work relationships needed to lead a team of employees, the ability to exercise mature judgment, and knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, and theories of management, and the ability to understand the managerial policies applicable to the U.S. Probation Office. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than with any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
Educational Requirements
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/public administration. This provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position and is required for all probation officer positions.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
• Experience as a U.S. Probation Officer in both the pretrial/presentence investigation and supervision disciplines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills, experience, education, and training relevant to probation/pretrial services office operations.
• Thorough knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, and theories of management.
• Involvement through active committee membership or special assignment.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

As a federal law enforcement position, there is a maximum age requirement. 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 age 37 or over who have previous federal law enforcement officer experience 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 officer experience subtracted from their age to determine eligibility. Retirement is mandatory at age 57.
Selected candidates will be invited to participate in an interview. The final selected candidate may undergo a full-field background investigation, a medical examination, and drug screening. The selected candidate will be subject to credit, employment, fingerprint, and criminal history background checks and subsequent favorable suitability determination as a condition of employment. Additionally, the incumbent will be subject to random drug screening and updated background investigations every five years.
Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States and meet age and physical standards established by provisions for law enforcement personnel. For more detailed information on suitability requirement, please go to: U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Employment Suitability Requirements
The Federal Financial Management Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages.