Probation Service Officer (Court Specialist)
Location: Stevenage Magistrates Court
The Role
We are seeking a disciplined and operationally sharp Probation Service Officer (PSO) to join our team at Stevenage 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.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying, please contact Oliver Jefferson on (phone number removed) or send your CV to (url removed)