U.S. Probation Officer

Recruitment began on March 10, 2026

and the job listing Expires on April 10, 2026

Salary Range $49,761 to $118,253 – Depending on qualifications and location

The starting salary range pertains to applicants that are new Federal Judiciary Law Enforcement appointments. The salary placement would then be based on educational background and experience, in accordance with the Court Personnel System and court preferred skills. Reclassification of new appointments from provisional status would take place once the background investigation has been returned favorable. Additional promotional potential is possible within these ranges without further competition based on experience and performance and to CL28 salary level, at the discretion of the Chief U.S. Probation Officer.

Position Overview

The U.S. Probation Office for the Southern District of Iowa reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. More than one position may be hired from this posting.

The U.S. Probation Office for the Southern District of Iowa is currently accepting applications for a U.S. Probation Officer. There are three offices within the Southern District of Iowa (Des Moines, Davenport, and Council Bluffs). This position is for the Des Moines and Davenport offices only. Lateral transfers from other Federal Probation Districts are strongly encouraged to apply.

The U.S. Probation Officer, as an investigative, sentencing, and supervision professional, is responsible for providing meaningful assistance to the Court in its deliberations and decisions concerning criminal offenders and defendants while performing a range of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to the following:

• Conducts investigations and prepares reports with recommendations for sentencing of offenders convicted of federal offenses to the Court. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing offenders and their families, investigating the offense, determining prior record, examining the financial status of offenders, contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims, etc. Acts as an officer of the Court, reporting violations of supervision for appropriate action.
  
  Testifies in Court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications. Serves as a resource to the Court to facilitate the proper imposition of the sentence.
• Maintains personal contact with offenders through office contacts, community contacts, and by telephone. Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Responsible for detection of illicit drug use and implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings. Serves as a referral source for employment agencies, educational resources, mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment facilities to ensure compliance with conditions of release and for the protection of the community.
• Supervises offenders to maximize adherence to Court-ordered conditions, reduce risk to the community, and to provide correctional treatment.
• Maintains a detailed automated record of case activity. Responsible for case records as required by the Court, the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, and the Chief U.S. Probation Officer
• Performs other duties as the Court and Chief U.S. Probation Officer may require.

Qualifications:

• Must be a United States citizen.
• First-time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of the appointment. Applicants who are aged 37 or older 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.
  
  Appropriate…