United States Probation Officer

United States Probation Officer

Department: Judicial Branch

Location(s): Memphis, Tennessee

Salary Range: $59133 - $115215 Per Year

Job Summary: The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Western District of Tennessee, is accepting applications for the position of U.S. Probation Officer in Memphis, TN. The Chief U.S. Probation Officer will determine the unit assignment. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. Occasional travel to the Jackson Office may be required.

Major Duties:

• Conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations to the court. Interview offenders/defendants and their families and collect background data from various sources. Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law, as applicable. Enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and work with appropriate specialist to implement necessary treatment or violation proceedings, through assessment, monitoring, and counseling. Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officers' requests for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications, as warranted. Serve as a resource to the court. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Enforce home confinement conditions ordered by the court and perform home confinement reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons, as applicable. Review and resolve disputed issues involving offenders/defendants and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess offenders'/defendants' level of risk and develop a blend of risk management strategies for addressing risk. Provide offenders/defendants with information on local resources and programs regarding employment, GED certification assistance, ongoing education, and vocational training. Identify interests, aptitudes, and abilities of offenders/defendants through interviewing and gathering appropriate information. Work with offenders/defendants toward integration into the job market through cross-training, mentoring, and the use of up-to-date technology. Communicate with other organizations and personnel (such as U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offenders'/defendants' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Discuss violations with Supervisory Officer. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Guide the work of staff providing administrative and technical assistance to officers.

Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: Two years of specialized experience, including at least one-year equivalent to work at the CL-25 level; or completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Specialized experience is 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, correctional, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable. Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the minimum qualifications, preference will be given to applicants with a master's degree in a related field of study, at least two years of specialized experience, and applicants who can demonstrate the following skills and abilities: Ability to work under pressure with short deadlines while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor. Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and foster high ethical standards. Ability to interact and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds. This includes offenders, law enforcement, and collateral agency personnel at different government levels, and community service providers. Ability to think through, analyze, and interpret written communication. o Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities): Knowledge of the roles and functions of the federal probation and/or pretrial services offices. Knowledge of the roles, responsibilities, and relationships among the federal courts, U.S. Parole Commission, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Public Defender's Office, and other organizations. Knowledge of how other judicial processes and procedures relate to the officer's roles and responsibilities. Knowledge of federal law and the criminal justice system particularly as it relates to federal pretrial services, probation, and parole policies and procedures. Knowledge of surrounding community and available community resources. Knowledge of available Office of Probation and Pretrial Services (PPSO) defendant and offender workforce development resources. Knowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other similar information (i.e. National Crime Information Center). Knowledge of investigative techniques and skill in investigating offenders'/defendants' backgrounds, activities, and finances and determining legitimacy of their income. Knowledge of the Bail Reform Act. General knowledge of negotiation and motivational techniques. General knowledge of sentencing guidelines, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and applicable case law. Knowledge of techniques in supervising offenders/defendants. Knowledge of legal terminology. Skill in supervising offenders/defendants and performing risk assessment. Ability to conduct legal research related to a variety of applicable legal issues. Skill in legal reasoning and critical thinking. Skill in dealing with violent and/or difficult people. Skill in counseling offenders/defendants to maintain compliance with conditions of their release. Skill in evaluating and applying sentencing guidelines with guidance from supervisor. Ability to follow safety procedures. Ability to compile and summarize information such as background checks and criminal histories within established time frames. Ability to discern deception and act accordingly. Ability to organize, prioritize work schedule, work with little supervision, and exercise discretion. Ability to work under pressure of short deadlines. Knowledge of and compliance with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements. Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment. Ability to interact and communicate effectively (orally and in writing) to individuals and groups, including law enforcement and collateral agency personnel at different government levels, community service providers, and offenders/defendants. Ability to interview and establish rapport with contacts at collateral agencies, offenders/defendants and their families/support systems, and others for the purpose of supervision and investigation. Most written communication for presentation to judicial officers is reviewed by a supervisor or senior officer. Skill in the use of automated equipment including mobile devices, word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications, and various other types of software. Ability to utilize computer software and automated systems to perform record checks, record urinalysis results, compile criminal history information, and similar activities. Skill in using investigative databases to gather information and data.

How to Apply: Interested applicants must submit: (1) letter of interest; (2) a current resume; (3) contact information for three professional references; (4) AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment; and (5) AO78B. Applications should be sent as a single pdf to: tnwpjobs@tnwd.uscourts.gov. Applicants should include the announcement number (25-11) in the subject line of their email. Candidates will be assessed on their relevant experience; education and training; writing exercise (those selected for an interview may be subject to a writing exercise); and the strength of their interview. We will only communicate with those applicants selected for an interview.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-09