Job Description

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 (phone number removed) or send your CV to (url removed)