The United States Pretrial Services Office in the District of Oregon is a career organization focused on providing exceptional service to the Court, members of the legal community, and the general public.  Currently, we are seeking applicants for a full‐time United States Pretrial Services Officer position in Portland, Oregon.  More than one position may be filled with this announcement.

Representative Duties

Pretrial Services Officers serve in a judiciary law enforcement position and assist in the administration of justice.  They promote community safety by gathering information, supervising defendants, conducting investigations, preparing reports, and making recommendations to the Court.  Pretrial Services Officers interact with collateral agencies, such as the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, local community corrections agencies, federal probation offices, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Federal Public Defenders.  The Pretrial Services Officer, as a pretrial release investigator and supervision officer, is responsible for providing meaningful assistance to the U.S. District Court in its deliberations and decisions concerning pretrial release of defendants accused of violating federal statutes, and for ensuring public safety through the monitoring and supervision of defendants placed under supervision by the Court.  In addition, officers conduct the following duties:

• Runs queries and interprets the law enforcement automated criminal records systems to obtain and verify information.
• Evaluates information and prepares a report for the judicial officer prior to the Initial Appearance hearing with an assessment of risks of non‐appearance and danger to the community.
• Makes recommendations regarding bail and/or release or detention of the Court's orders.
• Attends court hearings to represent Pretrial Services, provide additional information, and to stay current of the case status and requirements of the Court’s
• Testifies in court when necessary.
• Communicates with other organizations and personnel (U.S. Marshals Service, other law enforcement agencies,S. Probation Office, Bureau of Prisons, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning defendants’ behavior and conditions of supervision. Identifies and reports violations of the Order Setting Conditions of Release and implements appropriate alternatives and sanctions.
• Investigates violations, prepares written reports for the Court, and recommends actions to be taken by the Court.
• Conducts community contacts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This list is intended to reflect typical duties and does not include all duties or special work assignments.  A United States Pretrial Services Officer must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‐paced work environment to perform at an acceptable level.  The workload is case driven and extremely time sensitive.  Work in excess of 40 hours per week may be required to meet the demands of the Court.

Employees may need to travel in the performance of their statutory duties.  A driver’s license is required.  The ability to prepare well written reports in a short period of time, apply effective time management skills, and work with limited supervision will ensure acceptable performance of the duties assigned and required by law.

Qualifications

Required Education

All pretrial services officer positions require completion of 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, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skills involved in the position.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for a starting salary in the CL-25 classification level the incumbent must have one year of specialized experience.  Specialized experience is defined as 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 investigation experience, is not creditable;

or

Completion of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following superior academic achievement requirements:

1. An overall "B" grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0.
2. Standing in the upper third of the class.
3. "3.5" average or better in the major field of study, such as business or public administration, human resources management, industrial relations, or psychology.
4. Election to membership in one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies;

or

Completion of one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of graduate work in a field of study closely related to the position.

To qualify for a starting salary in the CL-27 classification level the incumbent must have two years of specialized experience or completion of a master's degree in a field of study closely related to the position, or a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

To qualify for a starting salary in the CL-28 classification level the incumbent must have two years of specialized experience.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the minimum qualifications, preference will be given to candidates with prior judiciary experience.

Medical Qualifications

The duties of pretrial services officers require the investigation and management of alleged criminal defendants who present physical danger to officers and to the public.  In the supervision, treatment, and control of these defendants, these duties require moderate to arduous physical exercise, including prolonged periods of walking and standing, physical dexterity and coordination necessary to operate a firearm, and use of self-defense tactics.  On a daily basis, these officers face unusual mental and physical stress because they are subject to danger and possible harm during frequent, direct contact with individuals who are suspected or convicted of committing Federal offenses.

The medical requirements and the essential job functions derived from the medical guidelines for judicial pretrial and probation officers are available for public review at http://www.uscourts.gov.

Because officers must effectively deal with physical attacks and are subject to moderate to arduous physical exertion, applicants must be physically capable.  Officers must possess, with or without corrective lenses, good distance vision in at least one eye and the ability to read normal size print.  Normal hearing ability, with or without a hearing aid, is also required.  Any severe health problems, such as physical defects, disease, and deformities that constitute employment hazards to the applicant or others, may disqualify an applicant.  Examples of health problems that may be disqualifying are an untreated hernia, cardiovascular disorders, serious deformities or disabilities in the extremities, mental health disorders, fainting and/or seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, bleeding disorders, pulmonary disorders, and marked speech abnormalities.

Maximum Entry Age

First-time appointees to positions covered under the law enforcement officer retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment.  Applicants 37 or over who have previous law enforcement experience under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System and who have either a subsequent break in service or intervening service in a non-law enforcement officer position may have their previous law enforcement experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.

Application Process

To apply, submit the following: 

1. Federal Judicial Branch Application for 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), which includes a narrative statement that addresses your qualifications, skills and relevant experience;
3. Chronological resume;
4. List of 3 professional references including telephone and email contact information;
5. "Unofficial" University Transcripts
6. Your last 2 performance evaluations (if unavailable, please provide explanation in cover letter); and
7. Most recent SF-50 (if current or former employee of US Courts).

Send application packet via email to in PDF form and include "ORPT-25-01 USPSO" in the subject line.  All documentation should be combined into one PDF. Please type or print all information and sign and date forms where indicated.  Incomplete packets will not be considered.  Applications due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Due to the volume of applications, the U.S. Pretrial Services 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. 
• Pretrial Services 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 (i.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 Pretrial Services Office
• Employee Benefits