Probation Officer Assistant​/Probation Officer; Investigations Unit

Job Details for Probation Officer Assistant / Probation Officer (Investigations Unit)

Court Name/Organization New York Northern Probation and Pretrial Services

Overview of the Position The Northern District of New York encompasses 32 counties. There are five district court judges, five senior judges, five full‑time magistrate judges, and one part‑time magistrate judge. The probation office is headquartered in Syracuse and has divisional offices in Albany, Binghamton, Plattsburgh, and Utica. Present workload of a Probation Officer includes the supervision of probationers, supervised releasees, parolees, military parolees, pretrial releasees, and pretrial diversion cases and the preparation of pretrial and presentence investigations.

This is a law enforcement position located in Syracuse, New York. The successful candidate will train and work under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Officer. The successful candidate will be assigned to the Investigations Unit, with the following duties.

• Investigate defendants and make recommendations to the Court related to matters of bail.
• Conduct presentence investigations and prepare reports for the Court with recommendations for sentencing of individuals 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 defendant, and contacting law enforcement agencies, attorneys, crime victims, and other collateral organizations. An integral part of the process is the interpretation and application of the U.S. Sentencing Commission Guidelines and relevant case law.
• Following disclosure of the presentence report to the parties, analyze any objections and determine appropriate course of action which includes resolving disputed issues and/or presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution.
• Present presentence report and sentencing recommendations to the Court. Respond to judicial officer’s requests. Serve as a resource to the Court to facilitate proper imposition of sentence.
• Maintain personal contact with offenders and defendants and collateral contacts through office and community visits and by telephone. Responsible for detection of substance abuse, including the performance of on‑site drug testing. Refer offenders and defendants to substance abuse and mental health assessments and treatment.
• Initiate contact with, reply to, and seek information from a variety of law enforcement and other organizations such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, attorneys, and treatment providers concerning offender and defendant behavior and conditions of supervision. Detect, investigate, and report violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Prepare reports and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at Court or parole hearings.
• Conduct preliminary parole interviews and other investigations as required.
• Maintain a detailed written record of case activity and complete other required case documentation.
• Interpret and apply complex rules, policies, and procedures while ensuring judicial and statutory requirements are being met.
• Evenings and weekend work is required for supervision activities and/or mission critical tasks. Some training and travel, including overnight travel, is required. Officers may be required to work more than 40 hours per week to meet job requirements and deadlines. Overtime pay is not authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States.
• Perform other officer related duties as required.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.