Probation Service Officer

Probation Service Officer (Court Specialist)

Location: St Albans Magistrates’ & Crown Court

The Role
We are seeking a disciplined and operationally sharp Probation Service Officer (PSO) to join our team at St Albans Court. This is a fast-paced, high-accountability role where your work directly impacts the administration of justice.
This position is designed for an individual who is "court-ready." You will be expected to hit the ground running, providing reliable support to the judiciary and representing the Probation Service in a pressurized legal environment. This is not a role for those who require extensive lead-in time; we need a professional who understands the rhythm, terminology, and urgency of daily court proceedings.

Key Responsibilities

• Court Operations: Manage day-to-day court activity, providing a professional probation presence within the St Albans Magistrates’ and Crown Court.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare high-quality court documentation, including Stand-Down Reports and breach information, ensuring all data is accurate and submitted within strict deadlines.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for Bench/Judiciary staff, legal representatives, and court clerks.
• Process Management: Navigate court-based Probation processes efficiently, ensuring that sentencing outcomes are recorded and initiated without delay.
• Risk Assessment: Conduct initial assessments of service users appearing in court to provide the Bench with informed, safe sentencing options.

Candidate Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess very recent, hands-on experience as a PSO within a court setting.

Priority Criteria:

• Current or very recent deployment in a court-based Probation role.
• Demonstrable experience in supporting hearings and liaising with the Judiciary.
• Proven ability to remain operationally effective in a high-speed, high-pressure environment.

Secondary Criteria:
We recognize current resourcing pressures and will consider candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong previous court experience combined with current Probation practice.
• The competence and confidence to re-adapt to a court environment with minimal training.
• A credible rationale for their readiness to step back into this specialist function.

Personal Attributes

• Decisiveness: The ability to make sound professional judgments under the clock.
• Clarity: Excellent verbal and written communication skills suitable for a legal setting.
• Adaptability: A mindset geared toward immediate action and problem-solving.

How to Apply
If you are interested in applying, please contact Oliver Jefferson on 01772 208962 or send your CV to oliver.jefferson@servicecare.org.uk