Chief U.S. Probation Officer

Position: Chief U.S. Probation Officer
Vacancy: 25-10
Duty Station: Buffalo, New York
Salary: $206,320-$238,944

Overview

The U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, one of the nation’s
busiest federal trial courts, is seeking a dynamic and energetic executive to
succeed the incumbent who is retiring. This is a fulltime, permanent, highly
visible executive position. The selected candidate will be expected to provide
strong leadership to the hardworking Probation staff.
The Chief U.S. Probation Officer (CUSPO) is appointed by the Court. The
CUSPO manages the federal pretrial, sentencing, probation, supervised release,
and parole services for the District. This executive position includes
responsibility for compliance with the Court’s Employment Dispute Resolution
Plan. This is a highlevel management position which functions under the
direction of the Chief U.S. District Judge.

Representative Duties

• Organizes the Probation Office to ensure expeditious handling of
investigative work for the Court, institutions, and parole authorities,
including the preparation of presentence investigations (PSIs) and the case
supervision of defendants, probationers and parolees/supervised releasees;
• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets statutory, Judicial Conference, and
Sentencing Commission advisory sentencing guideline requirements for
sentencing hearings and the administration of pretrial, probation, and
supervised release services; promulgates policies, procedures, and guidelines
necessary to meet these requirements;
• Maintains liaison with the Chief Judge and other judges; makes specific
recommendations regarding policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, and
courtrelated criminal justice issues with emphasis on matters related to
sound sentencing practices;
• Selects and recommends candidates for appointment as probation officers to
the Chief Judge, and appoints all nonofficer personnel; approves personnel
matters including promotions and salary increases; with Court approval,
makes recommendations on disciplinary actions and dismissals;
• Manages office staff; ensures all personnel are carefully selected and
adequately trained; provides qualitative and quantitative measures of work
performance; assures accountability; establishes and administers training
programs to ensure highquality and consistent staff development; • Maintains communication of pertinent information at all levels; delegates decisionmaking responsibility at
appropriate levels;
• Promotes and ensures a safe and harassmentfree work environment; fosters conditions that encourage staff
commitment, enthusiasm, and positive morale;
• Makes estimates of personnel, space allocation, and operating allowance needs; approves requisitions; certifies
vouchers for payment; maintains appropriate fiscal controls in all matters pertaining to travel expenses and
purchases of services, equipment, and supplies;
• Formulates the annual budget and manages all federal appropriated funds subject to Court approval;
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other probation and pretrial services offices and with
all components of the criminal justice system, including federal, state, and local law enforcement and
correctional and social services agencies;
• Oversees the solicitation and implementation of contractual services for substance abuse and mental health
treatment of persons under supervision;
• Oversees the district programs regarding firearms, offensive response tactics, and staff safety; administers a
program of pretrial services;
• Monitors community events and issues with special attention on alleviating hazardous office and field
incidents.
• Develops and maintains a public relations program; assumes responsibility for communication to the news
media; monitors community events and issues with special attention on alleviating hazardous office and field
incidents;
• Occasionally, may perform the duties of probation officers or supervising probation officers; and
• Performs related duties as required by the Court.

Qualification Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Three years of progressively responsible specialized experience
• Three years of substantial management experience

Specialized Experience

Progressively responsible experience in the investigation, supervision, counseling, and guidance of offenders in community correction or pretrial programs is required. Unless criminal investigation duties are routinely
performed, experience as a police officer, FBI agent, customs agent, marshal, or any similar position does not
meet the requirements of specialized experience

Preferences
Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:\

• A master’s degree or law degree;
• Substantial knowledge of, and experience in, the operations and management of federal probation services;
• Knowledge of Federal Judiciary strategic plans, policies and procedures; the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines,
applicable statutes and case law; and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; Knowledge of evidencebased
practices and reentry initiatives which clearly link to current and future operations and activities;

Preferences (continued)

• An understanding of the Judiciary’s decentralized administrative model;
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with judges, the legal community, law enforcement,
corrections, and service providing agencies;
• Experience leading teams, managing budgets and financial plans, leading large multifaceted projects,
evaluating work processes and organizational impact, reengineering or creating new organizational models,
and planning and implementing organizational change;
• Skill in using vision and innovation to lead; building confidence and inspiring others to perform at a high
level; adapting to change and achieving results under challenging conditions; and
• Ability to analyze problems and develop solutions.

Background Investigation, Drug Screening, Medical Examination

This is an Executive HighSensitive position within the Judiciary. A selected candidate who is not already
employed by the Judiciary will be subject to preemployment drug testing and a medical examination as
conditions of employment. The candidate will be considered provisional pending successful completion of a
tenyear, full field OPM background investigation. The individual who holds this position will be subject to
random drug screening and updated background investigations every five years.

Maximum Entry Age
There is no "maximum entry age" for this position. Federal hazardous duty experience is not required.
Candidates who currently hold a federal law enforcement officer (LEO) position and who accept the position of Chief U.S. Probation Officer should note that all LEO provisions, including medical requirements and
mandatory retirement age provisions, remain in effect.

Benefits

Click HERE to learn more about the Judiciary’s benefits

Applicant Information

Only qualified applicants will be considered. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Only candidates
selected for an interview will be notified and must travel at their own expense. All information provided by
applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. False statements or omission of information on any application materials may be grounds for nonselection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or
dismissal after being employed. Employees must adhere to a Code of Conduct. The Court provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Veterans’ preference is not a factor used in Judicial Branch
appointments. Employees of the United States District Court are Excepted Appointments and considered At
Will employees. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship.
Employees are required to use electronic funds transfer for payroll deposit. The conditions of this vacancy
announcement may be modified at any time or the vacancy may be withdrawn without prior notice.

The United States Judiciary is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Important Dates

Position Available: 01/01/2026
Application Deadline: 08/01/2025

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter including administrative experience as it relates to staffing, budget and
project management; management philosophy; oversight of human resources, procurement, budget,
finance, and information technology functions; and the depth of management experience, leadership
achievements, and future leadership goals.

Include a resume detailing the years of specialized managerial experience, dates of employment,
salary history, functions and number of personnel managed. Provide contact information for
three professional references.

Please submit the cover letter, resumé, contact information for three professional references, and
AO78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (available at www.uscourts.gov ) as
a single PDF attachment by email
to:
...
subject line “Chief U.S. Probation Officer No. 25-10.” Save the documents as one PDF, using your
firstname_lastname. Applicants are required to complete the AO78, page 5, Optional
Background Information