U.S. District Court

The United States Probation Office for the District of Oregon is accepting applications for a Probation Services Technician to be stationed in Portland, Oregon.  Under direction and guidance of a supervisor, Probation Services Technicians provide clerical and operational support duties such as inputting data, generating and reviewing reports, scanning, typing, filing, answering phones, greeting visitors, and urinalysis collection.  This is a temporary position subject to the availability of funding.  More than one position may be filled with this announcement.

Representative Duties

• Organizes and prepares new criminal case documents for officers in accordance with established case management procedures. Enters criminal case file information and statistical data into databases.
• Ensures case files are updated for investigation and supervision units at the direction of officers or supervisors in accordance with established policies and practices. Confirms the accuracy of information when entered into case records. Transfers case files to, and receives case files from, other districts.
• Electronically files reports with the U.S. District Court via the Court’s case management system (CM-ECF) and electronically submits appropriate documents to the Bureau of Prisons and United States Sentencing Commission.
• Prepares routine correspondence, including but not limited to form letters, notices, reports, and associated correspondence using templates and forms. Maintains correspondence control records and tracks correspondence through internal databases. Updates chronological entries as required.
• Assists probation officers in conducting limited scope criminal history database inquiries and compiles limited scope criminal history/profiles. Submits collateral record inquiries. Assists in record collection as needed.
• Receives, prioritizes, and routes incoming and outgoing mail and materials from within the Court and from outside agencies to the appropriate individuals within the office.
• Maintains, updates, and tracks paper and electronic files including making copies, delivering documents to staff, scanning documents, filing, and locating files and documents.
• Observes collection of urine samples from clients of the same gender in accordance with established procedures for substance abuse testing protocol. Documents the sample collection chain of custody. Maintains and enters data collection and testing results in national database.  Prepares reports as needed.  Please note that client contacts occur in a controlled office setting.  During any direct contact, a probation officer is in close proximity and duress alarms are readily accessible.
• Serves as back-up for the drug testing lab. Assists with the operation and maintenance of the urinalysis equipment, the management of supplies, verification of monthly billings, and technical assistance on matters relating to testing procedures, including training to district staff of proper collection methods, chain of custody issues and drug use identification.
• Participates in and contributes to ongoing training programs.
• Assists with front desk and reception duties as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify at CL-23, step 1, applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have two years of general experience.  Education above the high school level may be substituted for required general experience on the basis of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours of undergraduate study) equals one year of general experience.  To qualify at CL-23, step 2 – 25, applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience or job-related court-preferred skills.  Education may not be substituted for specialized experience.

General experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the position's duties.

Specialized experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures that demonstrate the 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.

Job-Related Court-Preferred Skills   

In addition to the minimum qualifications, preference will be given to candidates with Federal Judiciary experience, preferably in Probation.

Candidates must also demonstrate:

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Skill in using Windows-based personal computers and standard software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, internet searches, etc.;
• Familiarity with standard office equipment such as scanners, copy machines, and fax machines;
• Proficiency in typing and data entry skills;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to work in a team setting;
• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain case-related tracking systems;
• Extensive knowledge of proper grammar usage and the ability to edit efficiently;
• General knowledge of the criminal justice system and legal terminology;
• A demonstrated ability to think through, analyze, and interpret written communications;
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work assignments;
• Strong interpersonal skills; and
• A professional demeanor and appearance appropriate for a law or professional office environment.

Application Process

To apply, submit the following:

1. Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (AO 78). This position requires a background investigation for system access. Applicants must complete the Background Information questions 18, 19, and 20 on page 5 of the application;
2. Letter of Interest (Cover Letter);
3. Chronological Resume; and
4. List of 3 Professional References with telephone and email contact information, or two letters of recommendation (from instructors, advisors, or recent employers).

Please combine all documents into one PDF and submit via email to .  Include the vacancy number and position title in the subject line of your email 'ORP-24-06 Probation Services Tech'. Please type or print all information and sign and date forms where indicated.  Incomplete packets will not be considered.

Due to the volume of applications, the U.S. Probation Office will only communicate with those individuals who are invited for personal interviews and only applicants who are interviewed will receive a written response regarding their application status.  Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense.  Relocation expenses are not authorized and will not be reimbursed.  Verification of employment, education, and reference checks will be made prior to any offer of employment.  The selectee for this position will be subject to a criminal background record check and consumer credit check before an employment offer is made.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents currently seeking citizenship or intending to become a citizen after meeting the eligibility requirement as outlined in 8 U.S.C § 1324b(a)(3)(B).
• False statements or omissions of information on any application materials or the inability to meet conditions of employment may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
• All information is subject to verification and background investigation.
• Qualified applicants applying for Probation and Pretrial Services positions will be subject to preliminary credit, employment, and criminal history background checks.
• An FBI background check is required for all individuals appointed to positions in the U.S. Courts.  New employees are considered "provisional hires" pending the successful completion of the FBI background check. 
• Employees (except for Probation Law Enforcement Officers) of the United States Courts serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at will" employees.  As such, employment can be terminated at any time.  Furthermore, Federal Civil Service classifications do not apply.
• Duty station assignments are at the sole discretion of the appointing officer.
• Employees are subject to mandatory participation in electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payment of net pay (e., Direct Deposit). (Limited exceptions are available upon request.) 
• The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of posted job announcements or to withdraw an announcement entirely, either of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
• In the event a position becomes vacant in a similar classification within a reasonable time from the original announcement, the appointing officer may select an appointee from the candidates who responded to the initial announcement without posting the vacancy.

For Further Information

• Learn more about the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and the Probation Office.
• Employee Benefits
• Conditions of Employment