Pretrial Services Officer

Qualification

s:

• Broad knowledge of the criminal justice system including experience with legal terminology and processes
• Strong time management skills, be detailed-oriented, and have the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Knowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other similar information (such as the National Crime Information Center)
• Skill in conducting legal research; analyzing and summarizing legal concepts; legal reasoning and critical thinking
• Skill in dealing with difficult individuals; ability to counsel defendants to maintain compliance with conditions of their release
• Experience with or willingness to learn risk assessment and evidence based practices
• Willingness to put themselves in danger to protect the public and help reduce mass incarceration
• Fluency in Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin

Benefits

Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments (not competitive civil service).

Federal benefits include:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Law Enforcement Pension (FRS)
• Flexible work schedules and telework options

Optional benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Disability and life insurance
• Long-term care coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• A tax-deferred savings plan with employer matching contributions (up to 5% dollar to dollar match).

This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) participation for payment of net pay.

Miscellaneous

Conditions of Employment
U.S. Citizenship or eligibility to work permanently in the U.S. is required. The medical requirements and essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for pretrial services officer and officer assistants are available for public view at http://www.uscourts.gov. The incumbent may be subject to a full background investigation and may need to submit to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment. In addition, the incumbent will be subject to updated background investigations every five years and to on-going random drug screening. All employees of the United States Pretrial Services Agency are required to adhere to the Judicial Code of Conduct.

First-time appointees will be covered under law enforcement officer retirement provisions and 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 experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.

Employment is subject to a criminal background investigation and verification of information supplied. Newly hired pretrial services officers must undergo and successfully complete a ten-year background investigation with reoccurring investigations every five years.

New officers will be required to attend a five-week training academy in Charleston, South Carolina.

Our Mission
It is the mission of the United States Pretrial Services Agency to safely reduce unnecessary pretrial detention. We do so by providing high quality investigation and supervision services that enhance community safety while respecting the presumption of innocence. We remain focused on providing services and support that promote positive, transformative change in the lives of those we serve.