US Probation Officer Assistant; POA

Position: US Probation Officer Assistant (POA)
Summary

The United States Probation Office, Northern District of Iowa, is accepting applications for a United States Probation Officer Assistant in the Sioux City, Iowa, Probation Office.

Duties

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The duties specified herein are intended to provide generalized examples of the major duties and responsibilities that may be performed by a U.S. Probation Officer Assistant and are largely summarized to include providing officer assistance and support of both an operational and/or administrative capacity (within any or multiple units, as assigned) generally related to officer investigation and/or supervision activities. In such, tasks will be assigned based on district need and may be periodically adjusted throughout position tenure.

• Greet visitors and clients in person or on the telephone, answering routine questions, responding to and processing over-the-counter inquiries, and mindfully directing visitors and callers to the appropriate person for additional assistance.
• With direction from probation officers or support staff, sets up case files and/or folders; prepares reports, orders, and other documents essential to all probation units (pretrial, presentence, and supervision). Prepares letters, memoranda, recurring reports, and forms in accordance with policy and procedure. Composes routine correspondence for officers.
• Scans and uploads file documents as necessary.
• Performs data entry related to case related activity and sentencing information. Ensures quality of data entry.
• Receives, prioritizes, processes, and routes incoming and outgoing mail.
• Assists in basic administrative tasks (as assigned) such as: preparing data reports and collecting information; developing spreadsheets and Power Points; receiving and identifying property for dispersal or disposal; organizing and tracking office supplies;
  SharePoint upkeep; and general office assistance type tasks.
• Assists probation officers in the performance of pretrial and/or presentence investigations and/or supervision activities, such as: compiling and evaluating criminal histories/profiles; arranging, interviewing, prepping and/or writing various reports and legal documents; maintaining file information; conducting inquiries with collateral agencies; urine collection/sweat patch application; compiling, analyzing, and evaluating information gathered in the case planning process; assisting with general case related inquiries; etc.
• Provides officers with verifiable and supportable documentation to assist in case related activities, including completion of probation and pretrial reports. May investigate employment/sources of income, lifestyle and associates to help verify, assess risk, and compliance factors. May assist officers with preparation for Court hearings and testify as needed.
• Assist probation officers in the maintenance of various programs related to: community service work, substance abuse, evidence-based practices, location monitoring, monetary fee oversight, and various other district projects or initiatives. Assist with district research projects to include data collection and organization.
• May supervise lower risk clients and coordinate office visits in addition to field-based home and collateral contacts. With supervisory oversight, assists in the application of effective supervision strategies to evoke client change while focusing on supervisee condition compliance to best serve and protect the community.
• Participate in the officer safety program as required.
• Participate in ongoing training and development with the goal of obtaining/maintaining advanced techniques related to the knowledge, skills, and abilities most effective to assigned tasks.
• Performs related duties and all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Mandatory evenings and weekend work is required for supervision activities and/or mission critical tasks. Some training and travel, including overnight stays, is required. May be required to work more than 40 hours per week in order to meet job requirements and deadlines. Overtime pay is not authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States.

• Pursuant to Judicial Conference policy, all final applicants for officer and officer assistant positions will undergo a drug screening and medical examination by Public Health Service physicians or other Federal Occupational Health approved physicians using the medical guidelines developed by Federal Occupational Health, Law Enforcement Medical Program. This could take several weeks.
• Upon successful completion of the medical examination and drug screening, the selectee may then be appointed provisionally, pending a favorable suitability determined by the court. A full background investigation will be completed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) once the incumbent has entered onto duty as a provisional hire. If the OPM report reflects any findings of a negative nature or disqualifying actionable issues, suitability will be reconsidered by the Chief District Judge and the…