U.S. Probation Officer (Supervision Division)

The United States Probation Office for the Eastern District of New York is accepting applications for the position of United States Probation Officer within the Supervision Division. The agency is comprised of two divisional offices (Brooklyn and Central Islip, NY), with the Brooklyn location being the headquarter office. Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible experience, gained after completion of a bachelor’s degree, in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment. Experience as a police officer, custodial, or security officer, without any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience as a probation officer on a federal, state or county level is desirable.
• Knowledge of federal law and the criminal justice system and how it relates to the roles and functions of a United States Probation Officer.
• Strong familiarity with techniques in supervising offenders. Skill in working with violent and/or difficult individuals and implementing negotiation and motivation techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Superior attention to detail.
• Knowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other investigative databases.

United States Probation Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and assist in the fair administration of justice, provide community safety, conduct objective investigations, supervise persons under supervision, interact with outside agencies and community members, and prepare reports and present recommendations to the court.

Responsibilities

Probation officers (in the Supervision Division) monitor persons under supervision to maximize adherence to imposed conditions, reduce risks to the community, and to provide correctional treatment. They maintain personal contact with persons under supervision through office, home and community visits conducted in-person, by telephone or by virtual means if deemed appropriate. They conduct regular field activities which include a component of early morning, evening, and weekends or holiday hours and they may be required to respond to situations outside of normal business hours.

Probation Officers make referrals to appropriate outside agencies such as mental health/drug treatment facilities and employment/training agencies.

Probation Officers investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. They address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implement the necessary treatment through assessment, monitoring, and counseling. They assess risk levels of persons under supervision, and they employ Evidenced- Based Practices, monitoring, restrictions, and interventions to address risk.

Probation Officers communicate with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning persons under supervision’s behavior and the conditions of supervision.

Probation Officers identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. They are required to maintain detailed records of all case activity. They report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports on any violations of conditions and make recommendations for disposition. They testify in Court, when applicable. Applicants must possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relation skills involved in the position. In addition to possessing a four-year degree, applicants must also have two years of specialized experience or the completion of a master’s degree in a field of study closely related to the position or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.