As Chief, I am responsible for setting policy and procedures for the department. I review case files prior to submitting them to the prosecutor's office. I make court appearances for detention, adjudication and disposition hearings. I am the primary contact person for schools, other agencies and the community in general. I routinely meet with judges, lawyers and parents of juveniles. Along with staff, we engage in strategic planning for the department.
CAREER
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$60,250
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+0.1% (little or no change)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Do
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Other Job Titles Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists May Have
Correctional Counselor, Juvenile Probation Officer, Parole Officer (PO), Probation Officer
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
My typical work day includes putting together programs that will help youth set goals, make better choices, build self esteem, etc... I supervise youth to assist them in making positive changes in their lives. It may involve me doing home-visits, school visits or the child visiting the office in order to discuss their progress or to help them rise above their failures.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
- Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
- Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
- Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
- Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (88%)
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Post-secondary certificate
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
Graduate
Juris Doctor
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Psychology
Graduate
Counseling Psychology
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
The ability to build relationships with other stakeholders in the community. As far as experience, I learned long ago that the best trainer I would ever have was sitting on the other side of the desk from me. People tend to tell you a lot if you are willing to take the time to listen without being judgmental.
Compassion is definitely needed. The children I work with have experienced a lot of trauma. They could benefit from unconditional positive regard. Though they need these things, they also need structure and discipline.
You can not be judgmental in this line of work and you have to be able to understand that people mess up but they can change.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
Know you why! If you understand why you want to do this job and you are passionate, all else will fall into place.
Juvenile Probation Officer ,
63rd/83rd Judicial District Juvenile Probation Department
Try it because if you do not try then you will not know.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
