US Probation Officer

[Nola504]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you apply to?

Each district is different so it is hard to say. It took a little over a week to get my offer when I got hired. It took three months total from my application to start date.

[POIN21]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you apply to?

I sent you a PM.

[DaBulls]

I just wanted to get some insight on the hiring process. My first step was a writing sample and a test for spelling and grammar. After that I had an interview with 5 supervisors and the Deputy Chief. After I completed that interview they had me wait around and then I went to meet with the Chief. I know nothing in the Fed happens fast but its been 4 weeks and I'm getting a little antsy. Can someone offer some insight on how the decisions are made? I figured it would be fairly quick since each office does their own hiring.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you apply to?

[POIN21]

I just wanted to get some insight on the hiring process. My first step was a writing sample and a test for spelling and grammar. After that I had an interview with 5 supervisors and the Deputy Chief. After I completed that interview they had me wait around and then I went to meet with the Chief. I know nothing in the Fed happens fast but its been 4 weeks and I'm getting a little antsy. Can someone offer some insight on how the decisions are made? I figured it would be fairly quick since each office does their own hiring.

[LinasK]

Thanks,
I will start brushing up on my grammar

Each district is free to have any type of hiring process that they choose. However, I would expect a test where writing skills/grammar is stressed followed by a panel interview of 4+ supervisors. If you get a second interview it would likely be with Deputy Chief and Chief USPO's.

[GA12]

hello,
I am a Sergeant in State corrections and i have double Masters in Criminal Justice and Public Administration. I just received an invite for interview for Southern District of Iowa for Probation officer position. Anybody could give me some details about test or interview? Thanks

Each district is free to have any type of hiring process that they choose. However, I would expect a test where writing skills/grammar is stressed followed by a panel interview of 4+ supervisors. If you get a second interview it would likely be with Deputy Chief and Chief USPO's.

[DaBulls]

Lol, I remember the smirf suits. When I went through FLETC for ICE (Glynco, not Charleston), we wore the smirf suits for the Spanish training program which was right after our police basic program. We wore 511's and blue polos in the basic program. I remember it being so humid, that the heavy polos would just stick to us. We PT'ed a bunch and all lost weight. However, when we got to Spanish and the PT was over with, the smirf suits became "smediums" when our fat rolls reappeared. Good times. I'm hoping I get selected by US Probation/Pretrial Services so I can go back and do it again. However, charleston will be much better than Glynco.

[LinasK]

hello,
I am a Sergeant in State corrections and i have double Masters in Criminal Justice and Public Administration. I just received an invite for interview for Southern District of Iowa for Probation officer position. Anybody could give me some details about test or interview? Thanks

[satxparoleofcr]

Keep in mind this is FLETC Charleston. Nothing like any basic training that I have ever received, this is MUCH more laid back. No yelling, running,PT, line formations AT ALL.
It's really like a college atmosphere, and I don't mean that negatively.
You go to class, you eat some food, you hang out with new people, and you find stuff to do (others have mentioned options already-beach, shopping, sports, etc). You might even squeeze in a little studying for tests.
Seriously.

We would work out after class and studied weeknights so we could have weekends free to roam around and explore. I had my vehicle which made life much easier than relying on the FLETC shuttle. Overall, it's not too difficult but definitely do not blow off studying for the tests by going out every night to No Wake Zone. Word will get back to your district if you goof off and don't perform. As others have posted, the academy definitely has more of a college feel to it. You will see other agencies march everywhere while the Courts classes, in a sea of smurf blue polo shirts get to walk everywhere. You will eventually grow to tolerate those smurf blue polo shirts. If you're going in the summer months, consider bringing or buying a cheap fan for the room. I was thankful I brought one from home.

[brownj21]

You guys will like FLETC a lot. The dorms are very nice and you get your own room. Flat screen TV, bathroom, nice full size bed and they come make your bed for you everyday. You are just a few steps away from the chow hall and it's all you can eat. Be prepared for A LOT OF CHICKEN! You are also a short walk to old gym as well as the new gym. We played basketball a lot at the old gym and ran some full court games. Even went swimming. You can go to spinning classes and they offer cross fit in the morning if you want to get up in the morning before class. It is what you make of it. My classmates were are very cool and there were no arguments or problems of any kind. We all hung out and it was like being in college again for six weeks. Just don't do anything dumb and enjoy your time responsibly. Tons of stuff to do there. We even drove down to Savannah, GA on a three day weekend.

All true. Was there 3 years ago and one of our new hires is there now.

What is FLETC like? Things have changed since my cousin was hired, so she doesn't know much about it anymore. Is it like a police academy with running, yelling, and PT?

Keep in mind this is FLETC Charleston. Nothing like any basic training that I have ever received, this is MUCH more laid back. No yelling, running,PT, line formations AT ALL.
It's really like a college atmosphere, and I don't mean that negatively.
You go to class, you eat some food, you hang out with new people, and you find stuff to do (others have mentioned options already-beach, shopping, sports, etc). You might even squeeze in a little studying for tests.
Seriously.

[Aerohead]

What is FLETC like? Things have changed since my cousin was hired, so she doesn't know much about it anymore. Is it like a police academy with running, yelling, and PT?

[Nola504]

You guys will like FLETC a lot. The dorms are very nice and you get your own room. Flat screen TV, bathroom, nice full size bed and they come make your bed for you everyday. You are just a few steps away from the chow hall and it's all you can eat. Be prepared for A LOT OF CHICKEN! You are also a short walk to old gym as well as the new gym. We played basketball a lot at the old gym and ran some full court games. Even went swimming. You can go to spinning classes and they offer cross fit in the morning if you want to get up in the morning before class. It is what you make of it. My classmates were are very cool and there were no arguments or problems of any kind. We all hung out and it was like being in college again for six weeks. Just don't do anything dumb and enjoy your time responsibly. Tons of stuff to do there. We even drove down to Savannah, GA on a three day weekend.

[holycrikey]

Del del del

[c5rst]

So you guys that just recently got hired, do you know when you will be going to the academy? I was just recently hired as a USPO in VA and will be attending from early July until the second week in August. I'm excited but somewhat nervous at the same time. I've been told the academy is really nice compared to state academy standards.

[dsb05c]

Downtown at Market Street Saloon and Folly beach was place for us too. No Wake during the week. A couple guys had too much the first night there so it became a big joke. And just to show this job can be all over the place, yesterday I was called out of the field for a searxh due to a allegation a sex offender attempted to snatch a kid. Local LE investigated and said nothing to the allegation. We searched his resd anyway and found child porn and videos. We are hopeful this will turn into a new federal indictment. One of few exciting days.