United States Probation Officer

JobSummary

By statute, the Probation Officer serves in a judiciary law enforcement position and assists in the administration of justice. The incumbent promotes community safety, gathers information, supervises offenders/defendants, interacts with collateral agencies, prepares reports, conducts investigations, and presents recommendations to the court. The incumbent performs duties that involve general pretrial services or probation cases, under the guidance of a Supervisory Officer.

LowGrade

25

HighGrade

28

PromotionPotential

28

SubAgencyName

Federal Judiciary - U.S. Probation for the Northern District of West Virginia

OrganizationCodes

JL/JL02

Relocation

False

HiringPath

• public

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

Many

AgencyMarketingStatement

The U. S. Probation Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, a combined district for probation and pretrial services, is currently accepting applications for the position of U.S. Probation Officer in the Wheeling, West Virginia, office.

TravelCode

1

MajorDuties

• Duties and Responsibilities: Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Probation Officer, conduct investigations and prepare reports for the court with recommendations. Interview offenders/defendants and their families and collect background data from various sources. During process, interpret and apply policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law, as applicable. Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Probation Officer, enforce court-ordered supervision components and implement supervision strategies. Maintain personal contact with defendants and offenders, investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and compliance. Address substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and similar problems and refer to appropriate specialist. Schedule and conduct drug use detection tests and DNA collection of offenders/ defendants, following established procedures and protocols. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Respond to judicial officers' requests for information and advice. Testify in court as to the basis for factual findings and guideline applications, if warranted. Maintain detailed written records of case activity. Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action. Interview victim(s) and provide victim impact statements to the court. Ensure compliance with Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. Under the guidance and direction of a Supervisory Probation Officer, review and resolve disputed issues involving defendants/offenders and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess offenders'/defendants' level of risk and develop a blend of strategies for controlling and correcting risk management. Provide offenders/defendants with information on local resources and programs regarding employment, GED certification assistance, ongoing education, and vocational training. Identify interests, aptitudes, and abilities of offenders/defendants through interviewing and gathering appropriate information. Assist offenders/defendants toward integration into the job market. Communicate with other organizations and personnel (such as the U.S. Parole Commission, Bureau of Prisons, law enforcement, treatment agencies, and attorneys) concerning offenders'/defendants' behavior and conditions of supervision. Identify and investigate violations and implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions. Discuss violations with Supervisory Probation Officer. Report violations of the conditions of supervision to the appropriate authorities. Prepare written reports of violation matters and make recommendations for disposition. Testify at court proceedings.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Requirements

Incumbent will be subject to updated background investigations every five (5) years and ongoing random drug screenings. Incumbent will be required to complete the Probation Officer training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy (FLETC) in Charleston, SC.

Evaluations

We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.

HowToApply

Qualified applicants must submit one PDF file with a completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78), a letter of interest and resume with professional references, college transcript and a writing sample ("sanitized" report/work product from your experience in a criminal justice field). One PDF file should be sent to kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov or mailed to: Kelly Fry, HR Administrator U.S. Probation Office P.O. Box 248 Wheeling WV 26003 Multiple officers may be hired with this vacancy depending on budget/workload of the office. Applications received by May 1, 2026, will be given priority consideration.

WhatToExpectNext

Only most qualified individuals will be invited for a personal interview.

RequiredDocuments

Completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78); Letter of interest; Resume with professional references; College transcript; and Writing sample ("sanitized" report/work product from your experience in a criminal justice field) See 'How to Apply' for instructions.

Benefits

Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, a flexible benefits program, a retirement plan and portable savings plan with matching contributions, and a professional environment.

BenefitsUrl

http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits

OtherInformation

Employees of the U.S. Probation Office are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct of Judicial Employees. Electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit is required. Veterans' preference is not a factor used in Judicial Branch appointments. The United States Probation Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

02

AnnouncementClosingType

01

AgencyContactEmail

kelly_fry@wvnd.uscourts.gov

SecurityClearance

Other

DrugTestRequired

True

AdjudicationType