Supervisory U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer (Cyber Investigations Unit)
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The United States District Court and the Probation and Pretrial Services Office is recruiting for the position of Supervisory U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer (SUSPO) in the Cyber Investigations unit. The position reports to the Deputy Chief U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer (DCUSPO). The SUSPO administratively and technically supervises a unit of probation and pretrial service officers who serve in a judiciary law enforcement position by assisting in the administration of justice and promoting community safety. This SUSPO oversees the cyber investigation unit responsible for the investigation and supervision of defendants/offenders who utilize a computer as an instrument or tool for criminal activity (e.g. computer fraud, hacking, stalking, credit card fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, child sexual exploitation, identity theft, etc.). The position also serves as the district’s expert in search and seizure and risk assessment in this specialized area.
The Central District of California serves seven counties and has 25 authorized district judgeships, 12 senior judges, and 24 magistrate judges. The Probation and Pretrial Services Office consists of more than 280 employees spread among 11 office locations. Staff includes probation and pretrial services officers and clerical support positions. The workload in the district entails supervision of over 10,000 defendants, probationers, parolees, and persons on supervised release and the preparation of approximately 3,000 presentence investigations annually.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supervise professional law enforcement, technical, and support staff in their duties, including establishing standards. Confer regularly with staff to provide direction and assistance in case situations and with general operational procedures. Serve as a resource for staff to assist with performing work successfully and efficiently.
- Review and edit written work, including case plans, correspondence, and reports submitted to the court. Ensure that recommendations made by officers to the court adhere to local and national policy and guidelines. Ensure adequate coverage for office activities, court appearances, etc. Conduct reviews of case work. Analyze management reports for efficient distribution of work. Establish schedules and deadlines for completion of work.
- Develop recommendations and advise the court on appropriate issues. Assist administration in the formulation and modification of office management policies. Assist in monitoring the work of vendors and contractors, including negotiating terms of agreement, evaluating work, ensuring that contract terms are met, and related activities.
- Communicate and respond to management requests regarding case operations. Answer procedural questions for judges, staff, and the public.
- Perform any or all duties of a probation or pretrial services officer, including investigating and/or supervising offenders/defendants.
- Interpret and apply policies and procedures, statutes, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures, and may include U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Monographs, and relevant case law in the area of specialization.
- Utilize and maintain on-going training of computer forensic, hardware, and software tools to investigate and supervise offenders/defendants involved in cyber-crimes.
- Coordinate the district’s internet monitoring program, including installation of software, troubleshooting computer issues, coordinating offender payments, and monitoring offender internet use.
- Serve as a resource and expert to the court, officers, and staff in cyber-crimes and matters. Guide, advise, train, and make recommendations to other officers, the court, and other individuals in cases involving area of specialization. Assist in developing policies and proposals to provide needed services. Train and assist officers on identification, investigation, and supervision of offenders/defendants involved in cyber-crimes.
- Investigate and analyze financial documents and activities and take appropriate action.
- Analyze and resolve disputed issues involving offenders/defendants and present unresolved issues to the court for resolution. Assess offenders’/defendants’ level of risk and develop a blend of risk management strategies for controlling and correcting risk.
- Communicate with other organizations and persons (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. 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 or parole hearings. Conduct Parole Commission preliminary interviews.
- Provide proposals/recommendations for updates or amendments to conditions of supervision for this special offender population.
- Provide leadership in the development of least restrictive release recommendations and the utilization of community resources and evidence-based practices.
- Clearly communicates expectations and motivates staff and helps employees develop their capabilities to their maximum potential.
- Performs supervisor functions such as handling staff issues, carrying out disciplinary actions when required, completing performance evaluations, managing workflow, and overseeing a facility.
- Conducts unit meetings and keeps staff informed of the policies and procedures of the organization as a whole and serves as a major communication catalyst and link between line staff and administration.
- Trains new staff and evaluates training needs of current staff.
- Certifies and approves time and attendance and training/travel vouchers of staff.
- Develops cooperative relationships with other agencies.
- Helps staff identify the need for and develops community resources.
- Serve as a member of the District Court’s IT Security Team.
- Work closely with District Court IT Management Team in identifying the needs of CIU technical operations and securing the necessary technical resources to maintain operations.
- Liaise with senior management in other districts in support of active and prospective MOUs for cyber forensic support.
- Performs related duties as required by the ADCUSPO and the court.
To qualify for the position of SUSPO, applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years as a U.S. Probation and Pretrial Officer. The successful candidate must have the following: a broad knowledge of the criminal justice system; a comprehensive understanding of federal pretrial services, probation and parole legal requirements, policies and procedures; a thorough knowledge of investigative techniques; a familiarity with a wide variety of resources; superior communication skills, both verbal and written; the ability to organize and work under deadlines; the ability to exercise sound judgement, analyze situations and determine appropriate solutions to problems; the ability to be flexible and adapt to unanticipated needs and problems; the leadership skills required to lead and motivate a staff and provide counseling and training as required; the ability to maintain confidentiality and interact tactfully with a wide variety of individuals; and the ability to work as part of a team.
Specialized Experience Required: Thorough knowledge of computer technology and cybersecurity, its application to criminal endeavors, and issues associated with investigating and supervising computer-related cases and other specialized cases. Expert knowledge of resources available in cyber-crime detection including the following:
- Thorough knowledge of computer and networking technology, particularly in their application to criminal endeavors, and issues associated with investigating and supervising computer-related cases and other specialized cases.
- Expert knowledge of resources available in cyber-crime detection.
- Significant operational experience collaborating with other federal and local law enforcement agencies in support of cybercrime investigations.
- Extensive experience in consulting and providing technical and operational support to other districts in developing their own respective cybercrime programs.
- Substantive experience in developing, creating, and implementing training curriculum in the field of cybercrime and information technology (IT).
- Significant experience testifying as an expert witness in federal court proceedings.
- The following digital forensics certifications or their equivalent: SCERS, MFTP, CNITP, etc.
- Industry IT certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, CySA+, Network+, etc.
- Substantive knowledge of and experience with Linux operating systems.
Ideal Candidate Will Also Possess These Preferred Qualifications:
- Extensive knowledge of management principles, practices, and techniques, and evidence-based practices and skilled in their application.
- Experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral health evidence-based practices, housing, employment, and/or recovery support services programming.
- Be skilled and knowledgeable about national initiatives impacting all disciplines.
First-time appointees to positions covered under federal law enforcement officer retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. Applicants age 37 or over who have previous federal law enforcement officer experience under 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 federal law enforcement experience subtracted from their age to determine whether they meet the maximum age requirement.
The selected candidate must complete the Federal Judicial Center’s New Supervisors’ Development Program within one year of being offered the position or when available. To qualify for a CL30, the candidate must have been in a CL29 position for a minimum of one year. If the selected candidate is currently at a CL28 level, he/she will be promoted to a CL29 upon selection and will then be eligible for a promotion to a CL30 after one year at a CL29.
This position is subject to a two-year probationary period, which may be extended at the discretion of the Chief U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer.
In addition to salary, the federal government’s benefits equate to no less than 33% of an employee’s total compensation (see Total Compensation sample below). Federal employees are entitled to federal benefits such as health, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Participation in a defined benefit plan the Federal Employees Retirement System-Further Revised Annuity Employee (FERS-FRAE), and up to 5% matching contributions on retirement savings through the Thrift Savings Plan (401k equivalent). Generous accrual of paid time vacation and sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Paid parental leave after meeting eligibility requirements. Eligible for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program on eligible student loans. Commuter subsidies for public transportation to and from work. Extensive online training options and in-person training and professional conferences, funds permitting.
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Employer Provided Benefits - Total Compensation Approximation Sample (For Illustration Purposes Only) |
|
|
Sample Annual Salary |
$ 60,000.00 |
|
Retirement Benefits |
$ 17,760.00 |
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Health/Life Insurance & Commuter Reimbursement |
$ 15,494.00 |
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Paid Time-Off (Holidays & Accrued Leave) |
$ 8,538.00 |
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Total Compensation |
$101,792.00 |
Must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident with authorization to work in the United States who is currently seeking U.S. citizenship or intending to become a U.S. citizen immediately after meeting the eligibility requirements. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate is required to undergo an FBI background check. The Federal Financial Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages for employees. The United States District Court and the Probation and Pretrial Services Office requires employees to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Federal Judicial Employees, which is available on the Court’s website: www.cacd.uscourts.gov.
Law Enforcement Officer Classification
The position is classified as law enforcement by statute. As a condition of employment, incumbents will be subject to ongoing random and reasonable suspicion drug screenings, updated background investigations every five years and as deemed necessary by management for reasonable cause, may be subject to subsequent fitness-for-duty evaluations. At the Chief Probation and Pretrial Services Officer's discretion, the most recent reinvestigation report completed on behalf of the applicant may be requested.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be submitted to [email protected]. Documents must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, and the email should reference the vacancy number. Complete applications must include the following:
- Cover Letter – Address how your background, skills, and experience meet the qualifications listed
- Resume – Include key career accomplishments
- Two (2) Most Recent Performance Evaluations
- For External Applicants Only: An application for Federal Branch Employment (AO78) (please visit the Court’s website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov to download the AO78 application form).
This recruitment is for a position considered “high-sensitive.” To determine suitability for the position, applicants must provide criminal history information on the Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (AO78). Therefore, all questions requesting criminal history information must be answered even if identified as optional. This requirement also applies to any other employment-related forms when requested.
Due to the volume of applications received, the Court will only communicate with those individuals who will be interviewed. Applicants scheduled to interview should advise the Human Resources staff if any accommodation will be necessary to interview. Unfortunately, the Court is unable to reimburse applicants for any travel or parking costs.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.
The Federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.