Pretrial Student Internship

Pretrial Student Internship 

Introduction
The United States Probation Office for the Eastern District of Texas is currently accepting applications for a Part-Time Pretrial Student Internship opportunity. This position will be filled as permitted by budgetary constraints. The Pretrial Services Student Intern provides support and can be in the Plano, Tyler, Beaumont or Sherman, Texas offices. This position is a When-Actually-Employed (WAE) Appointment. There is no predetermined work schedule. The number of hours per week will average 24 but be no less than 20 hours and no more than 32 hours for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks. Work hours are determined by the student's school schedule and the supervisor. The internship period will not exceed 20 consecutive weeks. Compensation is based on the actual hours worked. Student interns are hired by the Chief Probation Officer and work directly for the U.S. Probation Office. 

Representative Duties

Assist officers, conduct investigations, and verify background information concerning persons charged with a federal offense when they are arrested or summoned to court.

• Assist officers with running criminal record checks through local and national databases and files, as well as conducting inquiries with collateral agencies. Investigate a defendant's employment, sources of income, etc. Conduct database searches, compile information, and enter data/information in the pretrial office's database systems.
• Assist with preparing and processing reports, forms, and documents, ensuring consistency and accuracy among forms, reports and other paperwork. Proofread and edit documents for accuracy, proper grammar, and spelling for signature by the officer or supervisor.
• Observe court hearings and officer meetings with defendants..
• Assist with administrative duties such as scanning, shredding, copying, and greeting visitors in person and/or on the telephone.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Work is performed in an office setting and may require travel to other offices or off-site locations. 

Qualifications

The student intern will always conduct themselves in a professional manner. This includes respecting confidentiality, being punctual, maintaining a professional appearance, and providing appropriate feedback to the learning experience. 

To qualify for this position:

• Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled as a part-time or full-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in social work, criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, pre-law, political science, English, or a related field of study. Proof of enrollment must be provided.
• Applicant must have completed a minimum of 60 hours of college courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skill in using Windows-based personal computers and standard software applications such as Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work in a team setting.
• Ability to meet required deadlines and maintain tracking systems related to cases.
• Possess extensive knowledge of proper grammar usage and the ability to edit efficiently.
• Possess general knowledge of the criminal justice system and legal terminology.