Supervisory U.S. Probation​/Pretrial Officer; Presentence

Supervisory U.S. Probation/Pretrial Officer (Presentence) POSITION OVERVIEW

The U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Office is accepting applications for the position of Supervisory U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services Officer (SUSPO). This position has promotion potential (CL29 to CL30) without further competition. The incumbent selected for this SUSPO position will provide front‑line supervision and direction for employees assigned to the pretrial/presentence units within the Eastern District of Washington, as well as participate in the development and implementation of units and office‑wide policies and procedures.

A SUSPO performs supervisory work related to the full range of probation or pretrial services officer law enforcement duties. The incumbent leads by example and demonstrates mature judgment, technical excellence, policy execution, staff development, and maintains a service‑based viewpoint. The incumbent shall be knowledgeable in the full range of operations, and services to the Court and public. The duties of this position may include retaining line officer responsibilities along with supervisory duties.

This position requires integrity, initiative, teamwork, creativity, flexibility, dedication and loyalty to the district’s mission. The SUSPO serves as a member of the management team and must be committed to lifetime learning and performing as a self‑starter as he/she acquires the knowledge, skills, and abilities to fulfill this position. The Eastern District of Washington geographically consists of 20 counties covering approximately 42,000 square miles.

The probation office’s headquarters is in Spokane, Washington, with divisional offices in Yakima and Richland, Washington. Probation/Pretrial Services officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement capacity and serve under the direction of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

• Maintains an expert knowledge of federal statutes, sentencing guidelines, and relevant case law.
• Provides leadership and structure for the assigned unit, communicating and implementing relevant policies and procedures necessary under administrative and statutory requirements to ensure the quality of services meets the Court’s and agency standards.
• Assigns and monitors investigations, supervision, and other case work assigned to officers in the unit.
• Reviews and evaluates all work in the unit including pretrial/presentence investigation reports, case records, and correspondence to ensure maintenance of service delivery and adherence to existing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Confers regularly with officers and specialists providing direction and assistance improving investigative, research, writing, and oral skills.
• Assists officers in the application of federal sentencing guidelines and sentencing law, as well as the principles of evidence‑based practices.
• Provides leadership in the development and utilization of community resources, and the application of professionally‑sound case management principles.
• Assists officers in objective investigative evaluation and decision making for detention and sentencing recommendations to the Court.
• Assures continuing staff development by planning and implementing orientation and in‑service training, holds individual staff conferences, mentors and monitors staff and develops increasing levels of responsibility in assignments.
• Conducts meaningful and consistent staff meetings.
• Assumes the responsibility for case handling in the absence of an officer.
• Evaluates the performance and professional development of officers in the unit on a systematic and regular basis.
• Maintains equity among subordinates in terms of performance standards and work performed.
• Provides a link between line staff and the management team, assuring implementation of administrative direction while concurrently providing information to the Chief U.S. Probation Officer for future administrative action.
• Effectively identifies performance and/or operational strengths and weaknesses and develops appropriate solutions for identified weaknesses.
• Participates in the development and/or revision of policies, procedures, and programs,…