Probation Services Assistant

Summary

The Probation Services Assistant will provide specialized technical and administrative support to probation officers in a wide range of areas, including compiling information for investigations, providing support for administrative caseloads, preparing drafts of reports and correspondence, and coordinating with collateral agencies.Priority consideration will be given to applications received by 8/31/2026.

Duties

The Probation Services Assistant is an administrative (non-law enforcement) position, with the primary focus being long-term mastery and execution of essential administrative tasks, to support the operations of the U.S. Probation Office. This position is based in the Reno, Nevada office and reports directly to the Supervisory U.S. Probation Officer in Reno, with additional oversight provided by the Operations Supervisor in the Las Vegas office. Duties include but are not limited to: Format, type, edit, and finalize collaterals, reports and correspondence using word processing equipment. This may include, but is not limited to, documents such as presentence investigation reports, supervision case plans and reviews, and memorandum or reports to the court. Complete various standard forms for submission to the court and legal counsel using information provided by officers, including petitions, orders to the court, and similar documents. Operate the local/state law enforcement information retrieval system and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) terminals to obtain criminal history information and route the information to appropriate recipients. Obtain fingerprint and credit checks, verifications of employment and education. Open, close, and update information into computerized records, including the Probation Automated Case Tracking Systems (PACTS). Research information from case records and enter into system as appropriate. Screen forms completed by officers and officer assistants and request corrections as needed. Retrieving information from databases and generating periodic reports. Participate in problem solving at staff meetings with other support staff, officers, and officer assistants. Make constructive suggestions for improvement in work processes to better achieve goals and objectives. Periodically act as administrative and clerical facilitator to distribute/redistribute work and optimize office support operations, as required. Provide general clerical office support by performing any or all the following tasks: Answer telephones and take messages; copy and distribute documents; send and receive faxes and electronic mail messages; receive and distribute mail; attend meetings and take minutes; provide backup reception assistance; assist officers and officer assistants with word processing or other computer matters. Maintain chain of custody of urinalysis testing materials. Maintain paper and computerized records of test results and inform officers of test results. Maintain and mail or transport tests and materials to laboratories for confirmation. Maintain inventory of supplies.

Requirements

As part of the recruitment process, final candidates for the position will undergo a preliminary background investigation completed by the U. S. Probation Office. Fingerprints will be taken, and a criminal records check will be conducted using nationwide databases. A credit check will also be conducted. The candidate's past job performance and professional/personal conduct will be reviewed and considered. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to complete a 10-year background investigation coordinated by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and will then be subjected to re-investigation every five years, thereafter. The investigation includes a fingerprint check through the FBI, as well as a check of financial and credit records. Any position offer will be considered provisional until a full suitability determination can be made. All Court employees are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees. The United States Probation Office, District of Nevada, is part of the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanently eligible to work in the United States. The Federal Financial Management Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages.

Qualifications and evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated based on experience, knowledge, skills and education.

Education

Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent.

How to apply

To apply for the Probation Services Assistant position, qualified candidates are required to submit the following in one pdf document in the following order: Cover letter - Addressed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer Sarah R. Johnson, 300 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101. *The cover letter should be no longer than one (1) page and must include information highlighting qualifications, skills, and experience related to the position. Resume, AO-78, Application for Judicial Branch Employment (AO 78) or download at www.nvp.uscourts.gov, Last two (2) performance evaluations. Title the pdf document as follows: Last Name, First Name-2026-07-Probation Services Assistant. Please email the single pdf document, to careers@nvp.uscourts.gov. Failure to submit the above-mentioned required documents, in one pdf document, will result in immediate disqualification. Incomplete applications will not be considered, retained, or returned. Only one application per candidate will be accepted.

Required documents

Cover letter - Addressed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer Sarah R. Johnson, 300 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101. *The cover letter should be no longer than one (1) page and must include information highlighting qualifications, skills, and experience related to the position. Resume, AO-78, Application for Judicial Branch Employment (AO 78) or download at www.nvp.uscourts.gov, Last two (2) performance evaluations. See 'How to Apply' for instructions.

Additional information

The United States Probation Office is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusiveness.