US Probation Officer (Federal Law Enforcement)
Department: Judicial Branch
Location(s): Durango, Colorado
Salary Range: $50927 - $115213 Per Year
Job Summary: The United States Probation Office for the District of Colorado is accepting applications for the position of US Probation Officer in our Durango location. The oversight of the Durango division includes La Plata, Archuleta, Dolores, San Juan, Montezuma, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, including two Indian reservations. The Durango division supports a part-time United States Magistrate Judge and a United States District Judge and is generally staffed with two probation officers.
Major Duties:
- A US Probation Officer works in a team environment, serves in a judiciary law enforcement position, and assists in the administration of justice. The incumbent promotes community safety, gathers information, supervises defendants/offenders, interacts with collateral agencies, prepares reports, conducts investigations, and presents recommendations to the court. The primary focus of the job is to fulfill statutory requirements to conduct pretrial and presentence investigations, supervise defendants/offenders, make recommendations to the court, evaluate needs and conditions, and maximize compliance for the purpose of ensuring community safety. The job involves making independent decisions within the context of professional standards, broad policies, and general goals. Probation officers gather and analyze information to determine or recommend the best course of action. The primary judiciary contacts are other probation/pretrial services staff, judicial officers, and staff of other court units for the purpose of conducting investigations and maintaining accurate and up-to-date information in case files. The primary external contacts are defendants and their families, other government agencies, U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Marshals, Bureau of Prisons, Parole Commission, attorneys, public safety/law enforcement officials, treatment providers, victims, and other members of the community for the purpose of investigating backgrounds, obtaining and verifying arrest information, drafting sentencing guidelines, and similar activities. Work is performed in an office setting and in the community and may be subject to variable hours, including nights and weekends. Work requires regular contact with persons who have violent backgrounds. These contacts may be made in both generally controlled office settings as well as in field situations (such as uncontrolled and unsafe neighborhoods/environments where illegal activities and violence may occur). Travel within the state is required. These representative duties are intended to provide generalized examples of duties and responsibilities that may be performed by the position, but this list is not intended to reflect all duties that may be performed. Conduct investigations and prepare reports for the court with recommendations, which requires interviewing offenders/defendants and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Guide to Judiciary Policy (including Volume 8 (Probation and Pretrial Services)), and relevant case law. Track legal developments, and update staff and the court. 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 implement the 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 officer's request for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serve as a resource to the court. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. May conduct surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the court. 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 Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Responsible for enforcement of home confinement conditions ordered by the court, and in some districts may perform home confinement reintegration on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons. Analyze and respond to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess offenders'/defendants' level of risk and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risk management. Communicate with other organizations (such as the 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. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at court or parole hearings.
Qualifications: For placement as a CL 25, the applicant must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience (defined below) AND completion of a bachelor's degree in a field of study closely related to the subject matter of the position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Progressively responsible experience in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, or mental health. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, is not creditable.
How to Apply: Your application packet must be submitted as a single pdf document by email to: cod_hrd@cod.uscourts.gov. Please note "Vacancy Announcement: 2026-01-USPO" in the subject line of the email. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Application Deadline: 2026-03-31