The Probation Services Assistant is an administrative (non-law enforcement) position, with the primary focus being long-term mastery and execution of essential administrative tasks, to support the operations of the U.S. Probation Office. This position is based in the Reno, Nevada office and reports directly to the Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer in Reno, with additional oversight provided by the Operations Supervisor in the Las Vegas office.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Format, type, edit, and finalize collaterals, reports and correspondence using word processing equipment. This may include, but is not limited to, documents such as presentence investigation reports, supervision case plans and reviews, and memorandum or reports to the court.
• Complete various standard forms for submission to the court and legal counsel using information provided by officers, including petitions, orders to the court, and similar documents.
• Operate the local/state law enforcement information retrieval system and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) terminals to obtain criminal history information and route the information to appropriate recipients. Obtain fingerprint and credit checks, verifications of employment and education.
• Open, close, and update information into computerized records, including the Probation Automated Case Tracking Systems (PACTS). Research information from case records and enter into system as appropriate. Screen forms completed by officers and officer assistants and request corrections as needed. Retrieving information from databases and generating periodic reports.
• Participate in problem solving at staff meetings with other support staff, officers, and officer assistants. Make constructive suggestions for improvement in work processes to better achieve goals and objectives. Periodically act as administrative and clerical facilitator to distribute/redistribute work and optimize office support operations, as required.
• Provide general clerical office support by performing any or all the following tasks: Answer telephones and take messages; copy and distribute documents; send and receive faxes and electronic mail messages; receive and distribute mail; attend meetings and take minutes; provide backup reception assistance; assist officers and officer assistants with word processing or other computer matters.
• Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results and inform officers of test results. Maintain and mail or transport tests and materials to laboratories for confirmation. Maintain inventory of supplies.

Conditions of employment

As part of the recruitment process, final candidates for the position will undergo a preliminary background investigation completed by the U. S. Probation Office. Fingerprints will be taken, and a criminal records check will be conducted using nationwide databases. A credit check will also be conducted. The candidate's past job performance and professional/personal conduct will be reviewed and considered.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to complete a 10-year background investigation coordinated by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and will then be subjected to re-investigation every five years, thereafter. The investigation includes a fingerprint check through the FBI, as well as a check of financial and credit records. Any position offer will be considered provisional until a full suitability determination can be made. All Court employees are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.

The United States Probation Office, District of Nevada, is part of the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanently eligible to work in the United States. The Federal Financial Management Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, an applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have at least one (1) year of specialized experience. Specialized experience includes progressively responsible clerical experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures involving the routine use of keyboard skills and use of specialized terminology, and demonstrated ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involve the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation.

Such experience is commonly encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations.

Education may not be substituted for specialized experience because operational court support positions require hands-on experience to be credited as specialized experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology,psychology, sociology, human relations, business or public administration and one (1) year of specialized experience.

Excellent knowledge of office procedures and practices. General knowledge of personal computers and software applications to prepare reports and conduct investigation searches along with accessing the criminal retrieval system. Ability to give and receive accurate and timely information from individuals within and outside the court. Ability to decipher complex information: synthesize the data and concisely report the information gleaned in proper written format.

Ability to prepare all types of investigations in proper format for our office as well as other districts. General knowledge of proper grammar usage and the ability to write and edit efficiently. Ability to carry oneself in a professional manner, as a representative of the probation office when visiting outside agencies.

Knowledge of the roles and functions of the federal probation office. Knowledge of the practices and procedures used in probation and court processes, including knowledge of the administrative requirements to support these activities.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system as it relates to federal probation policies and procedures.

Knowledge of and compliance with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, and court confidentiality requirements. Ability to consistently demonstrate sound judgment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applicants will be evaluated based on experience, knowledge, skills and education.

• Cover letter - Addressed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer Sarah R. Johnson, 300 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101. *The cover letter should be no longer than one (1) page and must include information highlighting qualifications, skills, and experience related to the position.
• Resume,
• AO-78, Application for Judicial Branch Employment (AO 78) or download at www.nvp.uscourts.gov,
• Last two (2) performance evaluations.

Next steps