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A United States Probation Officer must have the following essential skills: 

Listen to understand and not just waiting to talk

Have empathy 

Ability to communicate with people from all walks of life from federal judges to an individual who just got arrested for the first time

Excellent time management and personal accountability

Ability to use written communication effectively to give information and the full picture of someone's life and situation that is in the federal court system

Have a curious mind and the ability to ask meaningful questions to fill in all of the puzzle pieces

Be comfortable with being uncomfortable and maintain a growth mindset in your career

Be accountable, own your mistakes, learn from them

Must have a passion for this line of work and be willing to hold others accountable while balancing the  enforcement of the orders of the court and being a change agent to your person under supervision

Model positive behavior and have the ability to coach and guide others with patience

 

Job Description

  • Supervise defendants/offenders to provide positive lifestyle changes and to maximize compliance to court-imposed conditions, reduce risk to the community, and to provide correctional treatment. 
  • Assess risk, develops objectives and strategies for controlling risk, and address identified needs. Utilize evidence-based practices into daily activities and interactions involving defendants/offenders. 
  • Maintain personal contact with defendants/offenders by way of both office-based visits and home/community contacts which could take place in unsafe neighborhoods or environments where illegal activities and violence could occur.  Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle and associates to assess risk, needs and compliance. 
  • Responsible for detection of substance abuse through defendant/offender assessment and implements the necessary treatment referrals and/or violation proceedings. 
  • Detect and investigate any violations of supervision and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the court and appropriate authorities.
  • All officers will initiate contact and seek information from organizations or persons such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, other probation officers and attorneys, concerning defendants’/offenders’ behavior and conditions of supervision. 
  • Detect and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. 
  • Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities.
  • Prepare reports, which may include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines. Makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court or parole hearings.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.