CLASSIFICATION LEVEL AND SALARY RANGE:

• JSP 15-17 ; $143,736-$224,178
• Starting salary set based off the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and education.
• Salary is based upon the Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) and determined by the Administrative Office guidelines.

OPENING DATE: August 29, 2024 CLOSING DATE: September 27, 2024

About Us:

The Northern District of Iowa U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office has locations in the federal courthouses located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Sioux City, Iowa. Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in the state and is vibrant with unique attractions, exciting events, a dynamic art scene and a large variety of restaurant and nightlife options. Sioux City is located in northwest Iowa on the Missouri River. It is referred to as a regional hub for its intersection of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, and it has twice been named an All-American City by the National Civic League which recognizes communities excelling in inclusivity, civic engagement, and strong connections between citizens.

The Opportunity:

• The United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office in the Northern District of Iowa is accepting applications for Chief United States Probation Officer. The incumbent may occupy a main office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa or Sioux City, Iowa; however regular travel to the other office is expected. The Chief U.S. Probation Officer is a court unit executive responsible to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, the Judicial Conference of the United States, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for the administration and management of all probation and pretrial services within the district. The position is under the administrative direction of the Chief Judge for the Northern District of Iowa.

The Chief Probation Officer has the ultimate leadership responsibility for creating and sustaining a professional culture; for promoting and modeling effective delegation; for creating and supporting leadership development to assure a future group of leaders; and for designing and implementing a strategic plan for the Northern District of Iowa. The Probation and Pretrial Services Office in the Northern District of Iowa is an evidence-based organization, meaning that work is approached in a manner that has been empirically researched and proven to have measurable positive outcomes for defendants and offenders. The Chief Probation Officer is responsible for leading the unit to utilize practices and principles that support the agency as an evidence-based organization. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Maintains liaison withthe Chief Judge and other judges; makes specific recommendations regarding court-related criminal justice issues with particular emphasis on matters relating to sound sentencing practices.
• Reviews, analyzes, and interpretsstatutory, Judicial Conference, and Parole Commission requirements for the administration of probation, pretrial and parole services; promulgates policies, procedures, and guidelines necessary to meet these requirements.
• Selects and recommends candidates to the court for appointment as probation officers to the court and appoints all non-officer personnel (after consultation with the Chief Judge); provides specific recommendationsin all other personnel matters including promotions, salary increases, disciplinary actions, and dismissals; ensures that all personnel are carefully selected and adequately trained; makes certain the work of all subordinates is systematically evaluated.
• Manages the law enforcement and non-law enforcement staff of the office including all clerical, professional and supervisory personnel.
• Establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with the clerk's office regarding shared administrative services (when requested); provides assistance to the clerk's office and the shared administrative staff in appropriate situations.
• Manages the probation office's decentralized funding allocation and advises the court of the adequacy of funds to support operations.
•  Recognizes the importance of evidence-based practices and champions their use in probation and pretrial services.
• Utilizes implementation science and evidence-based principles to consistently evaluate and improve organizationalperformance.
• Directs staff responsible for the probation office's financial service functions, including disbursements for goods and services, payroll costs and expenses for substance abuse treatment, pretrial alternative housing and mental health/ sex offender treatment.
• Oversees the probation office's long-range space and facilities plan and provides oversight to projects affecting probation office space.
• Establishes, administers, and/or resources continuing education, training programs, and mentoring opportunities to ensure high-quality and consistent staff development.
• Conducts special studies when appropriate and prepares statistical and narrative reports.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative and amicable relationships with other probation and pretrial services offices to assure all requests for assistance from other districts are met promptly and effectively.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative and amicable relationships with all components of the criminal justice system to include federal, state, and local law enforcement, in addition to correctional and social service agencies.
• Promotes and maintains conditions which encourage staff loyalty, enthusiasm, wellness, diversity, and general morale.
• Participates in leadership and networking opportunities outside the Northern District of Iowa to support national efforts to improve the administration of justice. Maintains excellent collaboration with the Administrative Office.
• Strives for consistency and equity between both courthouses in the district.
• Maintains public relations which explains probation, parole, and other correctional services to the community when needed.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

General Qualifications:

• To qualify for the position of Chief Probation Officer JSP- 15, 16 or 17, a person must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field such as criminal justice, psychology, sociology, human relations, business, or public administration, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and human relations skill involved in the position.
• The applicant must also possess a minimum of three years of specialized experience, earned after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, and one of which must have been at the next lower grade level or its equivalent. For example, for those applicants who have federal experience, at least one year of the three years of required specialized experience must be at or equivalent to a JSP 14/CL 30 to qualify them to start at the JSP-15 level salary.
• Specialized experience is mandatory and does not permit any substitutions, except as noted below.

Specialized Experience:

• Due to the complexities of this position, a minimum of three years of specialized experience is required.
• Specialized experience can be classified as progressively responsible experience in the investigation, supervision, counseling, and guidance of people under supervision, community supervision, and/or pretrial programs is required.
• Experience as a police officer, FBI agent, customs agent, deputy marshal or similar position do not, by themselves, meet the specialized experience requirements, except to the extent that their tasks constitute permitted experience such as criminal investigation experience while a detective, etc.

Substantial Management Experience:

• This position requires substantial management experience.
• The candidate must have a thorough understanding of the organizational, procedural, and human relations aspects of managing an entire organization.
• Areas of emphasis include financial management, human resources management, space and facilities oversight, information technology management, and operational/unit management.
• The candidate must also be successful in long- and short-range planning.

Desirable Skills and Characteristics:

• Over five years of managerial experience.
• A Master’s Degree or higher degree in a related field.
• Exceptional organizational skills (computer literacy is assumed).
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to effectively coach, develop, direct, and manage employees to ensure a highly skilled, harmonious, service-oriented team.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and experience in dealing with complex personnel matters which require excellent judgment skills, poise, initiative, and tact.
• Managerial oversight and involvement with administrative functions such as budget, procurement, human resources, information technology, and financial reviews is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based practices, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and exhibits familiarity with the best practices in all functional areas.
• A demonstrated ability to travel and work between divisional offices.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS and BACKGROUND CHECKS

This is a high-sensitive executive position that is subject to an extensive mandatory background investigation including fingerprint and criminal record checks. Any outside applicant selected for the position will be hired provisionally pending successful completion of the background investigation, drug screen, and medical examination. Any incumbent is subjectto updated background investigations every five years. If deemed necessary for reasonable cause, they may be also subject to fitness-for-duty evaluations. Unsatisfactory outcomes in any areas detailed here may result in termination of employment or the rescinding of a previous offer.

Judicial employees are required to adhere to the court's code of conduct, available for public review on the USCourts.gov website. https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/judiciary-policies

Applicants must be able to meet the medical requirements and perform the essential job functions of a U.S. Probation Officer, as detailed on the USCourts.gov website under Officer and Officer Assistant Medical Requirements.

Incumbents are subject to on-going random drug screening.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the job announcement at any time, which may occur without any prior notice.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE EXCEPTION:

The Chief United States Probation Officer is considered the Court Unit Executive. As the top Executive in the probation office, prior federal law enforcement experience is not required. Thus, the Chief United States Probation Officer is not required to adhere to the “maximum entry age” of their 37th birthday (which is required for federal law enforcement positions). However, in such, the candidate would not qualify for federal law enforcement officer benefits.

Candidates who do possess the required federal law enforcement experience and have previously been appointed as a federal law enforcement officer and who are otherwise qualified, can be classified as secondary law enforcement which affords them the provisions necessary for federal law enforcement retirement benefits without being required to adhere to the strenuous training requirements necessary in a primary federal law enforcement position (non-managerial). In such, retirement is mandatory at age 57.

First time appointees to this position who are under the age of 37 (have not met their 37th birthday) and otherwise meet all other mandatory requirements for a federal law enforcement officer may be appointed as such and qualify for federal law enforcement officer retirement benefits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Mandatory evenings and weekend work is required for mission critical tasks. Training and travel, including overnight stays, is required. The candidate is a salaried employee and may be required to work more than 40 hours per week in order to meet job requirements and deadlines. Overtime pay is not authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information during any of the application process may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.

All information provided by applicants is subject to verification of application materials, social media inquiries, and criminal history record checks conducted by utilizing local, state, and national databases. The Chief Judge and/or interview panel reserves the right to check references and contact former employers and subordinates to verify personal history information.

The Chief United States Probation Officer serves at the pleasure of the Court and is an “at will” employee who can be terminated pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3602 (a).

This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payment of net pay.

Commitment to Diversity and Wellness:

The Northern District of Iowa is committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that supports life balance and honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome all qualified applicants. We embrace the unique contributions our employees can bring to our office because of their backgrounds, social identities, and lived experiences. We realize that the best representation occurs through a healthy, diverse, collaborative, and inclusive workforce.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• 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).
• A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year.
• Sick leave of 13 days the first year, increased thereafter per policy.
• 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.
  • FERS Social Security supplement until the age of 62.
  • Optional Thrift Savings Plan (employer matching component) with diversification control.
  • Cost-of-Living Adjustments, as approved by Congress.
  • Full extension of health benefits.
• Optional participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice (no waiting period).
• Optional vision, dental, and disability 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; disability; and long-term care programs.
• On-site wellness room and emphasis on self-care.
• Flexible schedule options including occasional work from home opportunities (after a period of establishment and good performance).
• Paid parking.
• A great team environment that values wellness and inclusion

For additional information, please visit www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.

 

The court provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please notify Human Resources at hr@ianp.uscourts.gov.

Applicants may view the district’s Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) Plan on our website at https://www.ianp.uscourts.gov/ All court employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees which is provided to each employee and is available to view here: https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/judiciary-policies/codeconduct/code-conduct-judicial-employees

The Court will not reimburse candidates for travel in connection with an interview or pay relocation expenses to the successful candidate. Required in-person interviews and testing may be conducted with finalists. Only applicants who are interviewed will receive a response regarding their application.

The U.S. Probation Office reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdrawal the announcement without written notice to the applicants. This posting may be continuously listed and/or reposted to address district vacancy needs.