What are the responsibilities and job description for the U.S. Probation Officer position at U.S. Courts?
Summary
The United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office of the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, is seeking Probation Officers for multiple locations in Arizona. The U.S. Probation Officer provides detailed background information regarding individuals before the Court, to assist judges in making informed bail release and sentencing decisions. Officers also supervise and monitor individuals in the community who are under federal supervision.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Duties
- Presents reports with the type of bail and conditions to be met by the defendant if released and sentencing recommendations to the court.
- Conducts investigations, assesses risk of nonappearance and danger to the community, provides bail release and sentencing recommendations to the court, and supervises defendants and persons under supervision.
- Prepares reports, analyzes objections to court reports and determines the appropriate course of action.
- Interviews defendants and persons under supervision and their families.
- Investigates offenses
- Checks prior records and financial status of persons under supervision.
- Consults with law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims, and community resources.
- Responds to the court's request for information and advice.
- Supervises defendants and persons under supervision in the community.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to qualify for this position.
- Background investigation
- Pre-employment drug test
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, or business or public administration. The successful applicant must have at least two years of specialized experience directly associated with case management/investigative work. Progressively responsible experience is gained after completion of their degree in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work substance/addiction treatment.
Applicants must be physically capable, have good vision and normal hearing ability. First time appointees must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment.
Applicants aged 37 or over with previous federal hazardous duty experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System may be eligible for appointment.
Education
The ability to speak and communicate in Spanish (all locations) and Native American languages used in Northern Arizona (Flagstaff).
Master's degree from an accredited college or University.
Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practices in community corrections.
Additional information
- This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
- The initial appointment to this position is provisional pending the successful completion of the required background checks and/or investigations.
- Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Employees of the U.S. District Court serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at will" employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause). Federal Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to substantially the same benefits as other Federal Government employees.
- The U.S. District Court is a drug-free workplace and the applicant selected will be required to participate in a drug screening test prior to employment.
- All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.
- Participation in the interview process will be at the applicant's own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided.
- All promotions are subject to the approval of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
- The position is subject to the mandatory electronic fund transfer (EFT) participation for payment of net pay (i.e. Direct Deposit).
- Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, this means that an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship as explained below. Under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Federal benefits include, but not limited to:
- Up to 13 days paid annual leave per year for the first 3 years of employment; 20 to 26 days per year thereafter (dependent upon the length of federal service).
- 11 paid holidays per year.
- 13 days of paid sick leave per year.
- Up to 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave, if qualified.
- Excellent retirement package (enhanced Federal law enforcement retirement benefits)
- Mandatory participation in the Federal Retirement System (FERS) and Social Security programs.
- Optional Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a 401(k)-styled program with a matching component of up to 5%, with diversification control.
- Full extension of health benefits.
- Optional participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice (no waiting period).
- Optional vision and dental insurance programs of your choice (no waiting period).
- Optional participation in a flexible spending program for health and/or dependent care.
- Optional participation in group life insurance.
- Transit Subsidy.
- On-site fitness center (Phoenix only)
- Flexible schedule options.
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How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Complete applications will be reviewed based on Judiciary qualification standards. Applicants selected for interview will be evaluated based upon the question responses they provide during the structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions, the applicant should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what they did, and the outcome.
Required Documents
- Cover letter that supports your work experience as it relates to the position and specifies your desired duty location (Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, or Yuma).
- Resume that includes complete work and salary history, and education.
- Your two most recent performance evaluations (strongly preferred). Letters of recommendation may be substituted if no evaluation is available. One letter of recommendation must be from a current or recent supervisor.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please visit our website at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/azduscourts. Applications are only accepted on our website.
Applications will be considered complete when the online application and all required attachments (in proper format) are received by the Human Resources Division. Applications and/or attachments received after the closing date may not be considered.
This position is open until filled, with preference given to applications received by 08/21/2026 at 5pm (Arizona).
Agency contact information
Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse, Ste. 150
401 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
US
Next steps
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) to the District of Arizona employment website, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, applications will be referred to the hiring manager who will determine who may be contacted for an interview.
Overview
The salary range listed above reflects the expected ENTRANCE salary of the position based on qualifications, experience, and duty location.
- 1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Vacation & Paid Time OffSalary : $67,845 - $71,583