Summary
The Probation Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for the position of Probation Support Technician II. The position will be stationed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and reports directly to the Chief U.S. Probation Officer.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
This announcement is until filed - First consideration given to applications received by April 28, 2024, at 11:59pm EST. A Sensitive Background Check is required.
Duties
The position provides substantive legal analysis, advice, and assistance to the Chief Probation Officer and/or designee, and as appropriate the Court, on case-related issues and other court-related legal and policy issues. This position is eligible for telework up to four days per pay period, based upon assigned tasks, with approval of the Chief U.S. Probation Officer.
Responsibilities

• Conducts case file reviews and advises officers and officer assistants of matters needing their attention. Makes chronological entries in supervision case records.
• Assists officers in the performance of post-conviction reports including, but not limited to, running record checks through local and national databases; contacting various local, state and national law enforcement and regulatory agencies to collect record information (i.e. new arrest, violation proceedings), and inputting data into PACTS.
• Observes and conducts same sex drug testing on persons under supervision in a controlled environment. In accordance with local and national policy, follows chain of custody protocol when reporting drug testing results. Sends specimens to national contract laboratory for confirmation as instructed.
• Drafts and submits collateral investigations for districts throughout the country which may include placing telephone calls, collecting records, as well as maintaining files and case records.
• Review, reconcile, and input monthly treatment invoices. Monitors the accurate submission of billing documents to ensure the appropriate disbursement of funds. Enters the data into PACTS and runs validation reports for each invoice. Sends notice to vendors advising of all invoice adjustments.
• Contact the treatment providers telephonically and in writing to address billing errors and failure to abide by contract requirement.
• When necessary, travel to vendor sites to attend meetings.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be a United States Citizens or eligible to work in the United States.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• A preliminary background and credit check, along with employment, education, and reference checks, are required for employment and will be made prior to any offer of employment.
• Subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) of salary payment.

Qualifications
Mandatory Qualifications:
Minimum Required Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent is required along with two years' general clerical experience. Education above the high school level may be substituted for required general experience based on one academic year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours of undergraduate study) equals one year of general experience.

Selective Factors

• Skill in use of automated equipment including mobile devices, word processing, spreadsheets, database applications, and various other types of software.
• Ability to organize and prioritize duties as assigned.
• Ability to work under pressure and with short deadlines while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, foster high ethical standards, and demonstrate integrity in meeting the district's vision, mission, and goals.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with the Court, attorneys, treatment providers, co-workers, people of diverse backgrounds, and others.

Preferred Skills

• Associate degree or higher 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.

Education
Please read the "Qualifications" section.
Additional information

• U.S. Probation reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or withdraw the announcement. If a subsequent vacancy of the same position type becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the U.S. Probation & Pretrial Services Office may elect to select a current candidate from the original qualified applicant pool.
• Qualified applicants selected may be administered a written test.
• Only the most qualified individuals will be invited for a personal interview. No phone calls please. Due to the expected high volume of applications, U.S. Probation cannot respond to inquiries.
• Reimbursement for travel and expenses is not authorized.
• This office may contact references and former employers.
• Subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) of salary payment.
• This Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Benefits
  Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
A review of all application materials will be completed to determine which applicants meet the mandatory qualification requirements (including the selective factors listed), preferred qualifications/court preferred skills, and all conditions of employment for this vacancy, and to ensure that all regulatory and policy requirements are met. Applicants must meet all mandatory qualification requirements by the date of appointment.
Minimum Requirements:
Applicants will first be screened to ensure that they meet the minimum requirements -

• Must meet the minimum experience and education requirements.
• Must submit a complete application (with all requested documents); and
• Must meet citizenship requirements.

*Minimum experience requirements will be screened, to determine if the listed applicant experience meets the CL-24 Qualifications
General Experience:
Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the position's duties.
Selective Factors:
Each applicant will then be screened against the selective factors listed within this vacancy announcement. Once these factors are screened against, then a final list of candidates, who meet all the mandatory qualification requirements, will be complied for further consideration in the selection process.

• Benefits
  Review our benefits
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  Applicants who meet all qualifications must submit the following items in PDF format online at:https://www.pawp.uscourts.gov/careers.
  Please reference position # 24-05
  
  • Letter of interest, which includes a narrative statement that addresses your qualifications, skills, and relevant experience;
  • Detailed resume including education, previous employment, and salary history;
  • Your two most recent performance evaluations, if available; and
  • Application for Judicial Employment (AO-78).
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  Application forms are available on the Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania website at https://www.pawp.uscourts.gov/careers in a fillable format. Please type or print all information, sign, and date forms where indicated. Incomplete packets may not be considered. Verification of employment, education, and reference checks will be made prior to any offer of employment.
  Agency contact information
  Human Resources
  Email
  pawp_recruitment@pawp.uscourts.gov
  Address
  US District Court, Western District of PA
  700 Grant Street
  Suite 3100
  Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  US
  Next steps
  Once a pool of qualified candidates has been determined, then the next phase of the recruitment process will begin, which may entail applicant testing.
  Applicant Testing (If Applicable) - Qualified applicants who are determined to have met the above requirements may be administered tools/testing that are relevant to the job being filled. These assessments may range from multiple choice exams to short essays/written exams, to measure the job-related characteristics and how predictive that measurement is for successful performance on the job. These assessments will then be scored; scoring varies depending on which assessment tool is administered. These scores will be used as an additional measure in determining which applicants possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to carry out the duties of the position.
  Interviews - Education and experience (along with preferred skills and testing scores {if applicable}) will be used to determine final ratings for applicants. These final ratings will determine which applicants will be invited to a personal interview. Only the most qualified individuals will be invited to a personal interview. These individuals will be asked a series of questions during this process and rated on a scale from 1-3. Each question relates to a job-specific competency and the applicant is rated on how well they are able to articulate and explain their ability to fulfill each competency.
  Final Selections will be made after interviews have commenced and each applicant, regardless of the decision, will be notified.
• Fair and Transparent
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents
Applicants who meet all qualifications must submit the following items in PDF format online at:https://www.pawp.uscourts.gov/careers.
Please reference position # 24-05

• Letter of interest, which includes a narrative statement that addresses your qualifications, skills, and relevant experience;
• Detailed resume including education, previous employment, and salary history;
• Your two most recent performance evaluations, if available; and
• Application for Judicial Employment (AO-78).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Application forms are available on the Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania website at https://www.pawp.uscourts.gov/careers in a fillable format. Please type or print all information, sign, and date forms where indicated. Incomplete packets may not be considered. Verification of employment, education, and reference checks will be made prior to any offer of employment.
Agency contact information
Human Resources
Email
pawp_recruitment@pawp.uscourts.gov
Address
US District Court, Western District of PA
700 Grant Street
Suite 3100
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
US
Next steps
Once a pool of qualified candidates has been determined, then the next phase of the recruitment process will begin, which may entail applicant testing.
Applicant Testing (If Applicable) - Qualified applicants who are determined to have met the above requirements may be administered tools/testing that are relevant to the job being filled. These assessments may range from multiple choice exams to short essays/written exams, to measure the job-related characteristics and how predictive that measurement is for successful performance on the job. These assessments will then be scored; scoring varies depending on which assessment tool is administered. These scores will be used as an additional measure in determining which applicants possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to carry out the duties of the position.
Interviews - Education and experience (along with preferred skills and testing scores {if applicable}) will be used to determine final ratings for applicants. These final ratings will determine which applicants will be invited to a personal interview. Only the most qualified individuals will be invited to a personal interview. These individuals will be asked a series of questions during this process and rated on a scale from 1-3. Each question relates to a job-specific competency and the applicant is rated on how well they are able to articulate and explain their ability to fulfill each competency.
Final Selections will be made after interviews have commenced and each applicant, regardless of the decision, will be notified.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request