United states, Honolulu
Duties Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments and are entitled to standard federal benefits such as paid vacation and sick time, health/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, long term care, flexible benefits (health care/dependent care and parking accounts) and a retirement program that includes a tax-deferred retirement savings plan (TSP). Participation in the interview process will be at the applicant's own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided. The successful candidate(s) will be required to participate in a 5-6 week Federal Probation and Pretrial Services Academy program located in Charleston, South Carolina, with the exception of transfers from other U.S. Probation Offices who may have already participated in this program. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. All application information is subject to verification. This position is subject to mandatory electronic fund transfer (direct deposit) participation for payment of net pay. OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION Probation Officers are designated as hazardous duty positions and covered under the hazardous duty retirement system. Persons in a position certified as law enforcement and enrolled in the law enforcement retirement system contribute a greater percentage of their salary toward the pension system and are eligible to retire earlier than other federal employees. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: Assignment of position could be in the Presentence, Supervision, or Pretrial Services Unit, or blended responsibilities, depending on availability and candidate's qualifications. Presentence Unit - A United States Probation Officer conducts investigations and presentence reports for the Court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals charged and convicted of federal offenses. The preparation of these reports requires interviewing defendants and their families; investigating the offense, prior record, and financial status of the individual; and contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims of the crimes, schools, etc. The purpose of these activities is to ascertain the defendant's background, assess the probability of future criminal behavior, calculate profit from, and any restitution owed for, the offense, and to determine the offender's ability to pay fines or make restitution. Officers apply U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines and case law; decide the appropriate course of action after analyzing any objections to presentence reports; resolve disputed issues; make written sentencing recommendations to the Court; and appear at hearings to assist as needed. Supervision Unit - A United States Probation Officer supervises offenders to maximize adherence to imposed court-ordered conditions, reduce risk to the community, and to provide correctional treatment. Maintains personal contact through office and community visits. Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle and associates to assess risk and compliance. Engages offenders through cognitive based curriculum to encourage and support prosocial behaviors. Utilizes Motivational Interviewing techniques to enhance offenders' intrinsic motivation to change. Responsible for detection of substance abuse and through assessment and counseling implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings. Makes referrals to appropriate outside agencies such as medical, mental, and drug treatment facilities, and job readiness programs. Initiates contacts with, replies to, and seeks information from organizations and persons such as the U.S. Parole Commission, U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and attorneys concerning offenders' behavior and conditions of supervision. Detects and investigates violations and implements appropriate corrective alternatives and sanctions. Reports violations of the supervision conditions to the appropriate authorities. Prepares detailed reports, which may include application of U.S. Sentencing Commission revocation guidelines. Makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court or parole hearings. Conducts investigation of possible new criminal activity and other violations as required. Maintains a written record of case activity. Pretrial Services Unit - A United States Probation Officer in this unit assists in the administration of justice and promotes community safety, gathers information, supervises defendants, interacts with collateral agencies, prepares reports, conducts investigations, and presents recommendations to the court. As a pretrial release investigator and supervision officer, the Officer is responsible for providing meaningful assistance to the U.S. District Court in its deliberations and decisions concerning pretrial release of defendants accused of violating federal statutes; and for ensuring public safety through the monitoring and supervision of defendants placed under supervision by the Court. Requirements Conditions of Employment MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE First-time appointees to positions covered under law enforcement officer retirement provisions 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. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS Applicants must be physically capable, have good vision and normal hearing ability. Prior to employment, the selectee(s) considered for this position will undergo a medical examination and drug screening. Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the selectee(s) may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determination by the court. In addition, as conditions of employment, incumbent(s) will be subject to ongoing random drug screening, updated background investigations every five years, and as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations. The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for probation officers, pretrial services officers and officer assistants are available for public review on the US Courts website. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must successfully complete a ten-year background investigation and every five years thereafter will be subject to an updated investigation similar to the initial one. The investigation includes an FBI fingerprint check, and retention in the position will depend upon a favorable suitability determination. When completing the AO-78, Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment, applicants must complete questions 18-20 under the Optional Background Information section. Please see the "Additional Information" section for more information. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required for all probation officer positions. The degree must be in a field of academic study which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or business or public administration. In addition, the successful applicant(s) must possess at least one year of 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, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable. Educational Substitution: Completion of requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements may be substituted for one (1) year of specialized experience (and is qualifying for CL 25, Step 1). An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.9 or better of a possible 4.0; Standing in the upper third of the class; A "B+" (3.5) average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, human resources management, industrial relations, or psychology; or, Election to a membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma XI, or one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies. Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position is also qualifying at CL 25 Step 1. Completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, is qualifying at CL 27, Step 1. COURT PREFERRED SKILLS Possess the counseling skills, personal demeanor, and commitment necessary to facilitate positive behavioral change in offenders. Possess good writing and oral communication skills and the ability to work independently and professionally without daily supervision. Possess a willingness to zealously enforce the law, protect the community, and provide correctional treatment services to offenders who reside in communities throughout the District of Hawaii. Possess the ability and desire to work effectively with other staff, the Court, stakeholders, and defendants/offenders. Education Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required for all probation officer positions. The degree must be in a field of academic study which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or business or public administration. Additional information OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. All application information is subject to verification. Court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Federal Judicial Employees. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payroll direct deposit. All new employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (as defined under the court's Vaccination Policy) and, prior to the established start date, present proof of vaccination or submit a request in writing for an exemption to this requirement on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief or medical condition. Forms to verify vaccination status and/or request an exemption are available from Human Resources. Benefits Review our benefits How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Applicants will be selected through an interview process. Benefits Review our benefits Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies. Please read the "How to Apply" section. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. How to Apply It is recommended that applicant packets be submitted as soon as possible, as interviews will be done on a rolling basis. All four documents should be combined and submitted together as one pdf document. Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Due to the volume of applications, the U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Office will only communicate with those individuals who will be invited for personal interviews and only applicants who are interviewed will receive a written response regarding their application status. The District of Hawaii, U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Office reserves the right to modify or withdraw this vacancy announcement, or to fill the position at any time during the recruitment process, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the Chief U.S. Probation Officer may elect to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool. Probation Office will only communicate with those individuals who will be invited for personal interviews and only applicants who are interviewed will receive a written response regarding their application status. Interview and relocation expenses are not eligible for reimbursement. Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents Please read the "How to Apply" section. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Help This job is open to The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agency This job requires a Ten Year Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI), including Fingerprint Check, with updated investigations every 5 years.