Probation Officer Assistant

Overview

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. Field offices are located in Bemidji, Duluth, Fergus Falls, Rochester, and St. Paul. The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office serves the Judicial District of Minnesota, which includes 87 counties.

The Probation Officer Assistant serves in a judiciary law enforcement position; under the direction and guidance of a supervisor, provides technical support and assistance to U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Officers in a wide range of areas, including assisting with compiling information for investigations; assisting with and supervising defendants and/or offenders; preparing and drafting reports and correspondence; and similar duties.

This position is considered hazardous duty, which requires irregular work hours to include nights, weekends, and holidays. The incumbent will also be expected to travel to field offices.

CL-25: $52,208-$84,860 (2024 CPS Pay Table Minneapolis-St. Paul)

This vacancy announcement is based on budget availability, and more than one position may be hired from this announcement. This vacancy announcement is open until filled. Preference will be given to complete applications submitted by 5:00 p.m. CST on January 21, 2025.

• Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer, supervise selected caseloads of low-risk defendants and/or offenders, requiring contact by telephone, in the office, and in the field. Conduct selected investigations as needed for pre-release/furlough, pre-sentencing, and bail reports; draft and submit selected reports. Observe and report to supervisors on the lifestyle, personal problems, and needs of offenders/defendants. Maintain case files and records, as well as detailed chronological records of activity.
• Assist officers with presentence investigations to include: compiling criminal histories/profiles, running record checks through local and national databases and files, conducting inquiries with collateral agencies, and similar activities. Visit or contact various local, state, and national law enforcement and regulatory agencies to collect and record information. Provide officers with verifiable and supportable documentation to assist in completion of pretrial and probation reports.
  
  Assist in the development of community resources to meet the needs of offenders/defendants.
• Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer, respond to judicial officers’ requests for information and occasionally testify in court, accompanied by an officer, regarding the basis for factual findings, and if applicable, guideline applications.
• Conduct collateral investigations and draft and submit collateral reports, which may entail making telephone, office, and/or field contacts. Perform recordkeeping.
• Schedule and conduct urinalysis tests of offenders/defendants of the same gender, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Inform officers on test results. Maintain and mail or transport tests and materials to laboratories for confirmation. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintain inventory of supplies. Enter data and information into the office’s computerized database system.
  
  Testify, as necessary, before the Court or Parole Commission.
• If bilingual or multilingual, assist officers and non-English speaking offenders, family members, and witnesses in translating speech, documents, and correspondence, as required.
• Operate various criminal justice, law enforcement, and probation automated systems.
• Participate in ongoing training and development programs to remain abreast of advanced techniques.
• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.

To qualify for the position of Probation Officer Assistant, applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent. Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience.

Progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the…