Probation Officer Career Information
Probation officers are in charge of overseeing the probationary periods of convicted criminals. Candidates interested in pursuing a career as a probation officer should earn a degree in a related field, undergo testing and training, and if hired, should be able to withstand a stressful work environment and heavy workloads. But tough conditions are often counterbalanced with the satisfaction of helping offenders become law-abiding and productive members of society.
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Duties of a Probation Officer
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Convicted criminals often serve all or part of their sentences with probation--a period of time in which they must obey the law and follow other regulations as determined by the court in order to avoid jail time. One regulation is regular contact with a probation officer--a local, state or federal employee charged with managing a criminal's probationary period.
Probation officers are similar to parole officers, who manage the cases of criminals released from prison on parole. According to All Criminal Justice Schools (www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com), in some states, you can be both a probation and parole officer simultaneously, while in other states, there are different requirements for each job.
Probation officers work either with adults or juveniles, regularly meeting with them to ensure they are fulfilling the obligations of their probation. The meetings generally take place at the client's home, place of employment or the probation office. Failure to meet with one's probation officer is a violation and could result in jail time. The goal of a probation officer is to rehabilitate offenders and help them become law-abiding and productive citizens.
Officers provide reports to judges reflecting how the clients are doing and testify at hearings as to the status of their client's probation. Officers are also responsible for investigating any violations. To better monitor clients, they stay in contact not only with the client, but also with the offender's family, friends and employer.
Qualifications
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Career Overview says 4-year degrees are generally required to become a probation officer, and some employers may require a master's degree. Aspiring officers usually study criminal justice, social work, psychology or similar fields.
During the application process, the prospective officer will be tested in a variety of areas including physical and psychological. Additional state or federal training and a certification test may be required. Once hired, an officer will undergo training for up to 1 year, the rigors of which vary by employer. An ideal candidate has writing and computer skills, some knowledge of laws related to corrections, and the ability to work under stressful conditions. Convicted felons may not be able to apply. -
Salary and Benefits
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The demand for probation officers is expected to increase as overcrowded prisons force law enforcement officials to find alternate means of dealing with offenders. Although salaries vary by region and level of experience, All Criminal Justice Schools lists the median salary of a probation officer at $47,980.
Benefits vary between employers, but most probation officers enjoy paid vacation and sick leave, medical and retirement benefits. Officers generally work 40-hour weeks, but may sometimes work overtime when certain cases require it.
Career Advancement
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There may be opportunities for advancement for probation officers who excel at their job. According to Career Overview, many agencies employ correctional treatment specialists as well as supervisors. Advanced positions may be obtained by furthering education in a related field of study.
Job Growth
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The growth rate for probation officers is expected to be average through 2012. As more offenders are put on probation, more officers will be needed to manage them. Growth is connected to government funding, and it costs less to put offenders on probation than in jail.
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