U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer

Job Details for U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer

Court Name/Organization California Central District Court

Overview of the Position The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office Central District of California is a part of the U.S. District Courts and the Federal Judiciary. The Probation and Pretrial Office is responsible for investigating, supervising, referring for treatment, and providing reports on federal defendants and offenders. The district is comprised of the main office in downtown Los Angeles and 10 branch offices located throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and Ventura counties.

The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office is looking for professionals interested in working with the court system to supervise and help criminal defendants and offenders reintegrate back into society. A U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer is responsible for monitoring and supporting defendants and offenders in the community while reducing the risk they may present. We need fair and confident officers who can write comprehensive, impartial and verified reports;

enforce court orders; confront and deal with challenging people; and influence them in leading a positive lifestyle. This incumbent will report directly to the supervisory U.S. probation and pretrial services officer.

• Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the court with recommendations, which requires interviewing defendants and offenders and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law.
• Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies, including evidence-based practices. Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
• Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of defendants and offenders, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. May conduct surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the court.
• Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Responsible for enforcement of home confinement conditions ordered by the court.
• Analyze and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess defendants’ and offenders’ level of risk and develop a blend of monitoring, intervention and restriction strategies.
• Communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning defendants’ and offenders’ behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Report violations to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at court or parole hearings.
  
  Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews.
• Knowledge of, and compliance with, the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements.
• Complete a mandatory 40 hours annually of work-related training, in addition to safety and firearms training (if applicable).
• Other duties as assigned or reassignment to other divisions and offices based on needs of the district.