The United States Probation Office for the District of Oregon is accepting applications for Special Offender Specialist in Eugene, Portland, and Salem, Oregon.  By statute, probation officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and assist in the administration of justice and promote community safety, gather information, supervise offenders, interact with collateral agencies, prepare reports, conduct investigations, and present recommendations to the Court.  Officers may guide the work of Probation Officer Assistants and other staff.  Senior officers perform duties that involve both general cases and specialized cases.  The Special Offender Specialist caseload may involve supervision of mental health cases, substance abuse, sex offender, Reentry Court, financial crimes, and location monitoring or any combination of these types of specialized cases.  Presentence investigation work may also be required.  More than one position may be filled with this announcement. Current U.S. Probation Officers seeking transfer are encouraged to apply.

Representative Duties

• Performs investigative and supervision responsibilities for offenders in both general and specialized cases. Conducts investigations and prepares reports for the Court with recommendations, which requires interviewing offenders and their families, as well as collecting background data from various sources. An integral part of this process is the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant case law.
• Tracks developments in the law and updates staff and the Court. Enforces court-ordered supervision components and implements supervision strategies. Maintains personal contact with offenders through office and community contacts and by telephone. Investigates employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Addresses substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and implements the necessary treatment or violation proceedings through assessment, monitoring, and counseling.
• Schedules and conducts drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders, following established procedures and protocols. Maintains paper and computerized records of test results. Maintains chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Responds to judicial officer's request for information and advice. Testifies in court as to the basis for factual findings and (if warranted) guideline applications. Serves as a resource to the Court.  Maintains detailed written records of case activity. Conducts surveillance and/or search and seizure at the direction of the Court.
• Investigates and analyzes financial documents and activities and takes appropriate action. Interviews victim(s) and provides victim impact statements to the Court. Ensures compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Responsible for enforcement of home confinement conditions ordered by the Court.
• Analyzes and responds to any objections. This may include resolving disputed issues and presenting unresolved issues to the Court for resolution. Assesses offenders' level of risk and develops a blend of controlling and correcting risk management strategies.
• Participates in on-going training and education opportunities to further develop and/or enhance techniques and skills relating to offenders' investigation and supervision practices.
• Communicates with other organizations and persons (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offenders' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identifies and investigates violations and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Reports violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepares written reports of violation matters and makes recommendations for disposition. Testifies at court or parole hearings. Conducts Parole Commission preliminary interviews. Guides the work of staff providing administrative and technical assistance to officers.
• Guides, advises, trains, and makes recommendations to other officers, the Court, and other individuals regarding their designated area of specialty.
• Applies principles of good supervision by ensuring resources are effectively utilized for those high-risk offenders that need them most in order to achieve desired outcomes. Follows a balanced supervision plan that is individualized, proportional, purposeful, multi-dimensional, proactive in implementation, and responsive to changes.
• Regularly conducts high profile or other investigations as directed by the unit supervisor.
• May supervise offenders in witness protection programs.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position, plus a minimum of three years of specialized experience (defined below), including at least one year as a probation/pretrial services officer in the U.S. Courts.

Specialized experience is progressively responsible experience in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, or work in substance/addiction treatment, public administration, human relations, social work, psychology, or mental health. Experience as a police, custodial, or security officer, other than any criminal investigative experience, does not meet the requirements of specialized experience.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree in a closely related field.

Candidates must also demonstrate:

• Ability to work under pressure with short deadlines while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor;
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and foster high ethical standards; and
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds. This includes offenders, law enforcement and collateral agency personnel at different government levels, and community service providers.

Application Process

To apply, submit the following:

1. Application For Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78)
   This position requires a 5-year background investigation with 5-year periodic updates. 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;
4. Recent Performance Evaluation; and
5. List of 3 Professional References, including contact phone number and email address.

Please submit all documents as one PDF via e-mail to . Include the vacancy number and position title in the subject line of your e-mail ORP-24-15 SOS. 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.

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. 
• Probation Law Enforcement Officers of the United States Courts serve under “Excepted Appointments” and may be removed only for cause.
• 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