Probation Officer - myFootpath

Probation Officer Basics
Probation officers are in charge of monitoring citizens who have been found guilty of breaking the law, but whose crime does not necessitate imprisonment. Through regular visits, these officers keep such offenders on the straight and narrow until their probation period expires, hopefully helping them become productive citizens who will not reoffend in the process.

In this way, probation officers are much like parole officers, the only real difference being that the latter work with those who did go to prison and are now out but still require some supervision.

Probation officers work with many other people when supervising someone on probation. They will often ask community organizations, like shelters and churches, local residents, and the offender’s family to aid them in their work. Should it be necessary, they will refer their offender to groups or counselors who specialize in treating emotional or substance abuse problems.

Probation officers spend much of their time in the courts, learning about their new charges and preparing reports for or testifying about current offenders. When not in court, a probation officer is most often in the field meeting with an offender, collecting drug test samples, and talking with support personnel.

Though work of a probation officer can be very demanding and even dangerous, it helps all members of the community and so can be highly rewarding.

How to get a Criminal Justice Degree
Most probation officers need to earn a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, social work, psychology, or a related field. Some employers may require a Master’s degree for higher positions, especially if the officer wants to move into more of a counseling role.

Most organizations also require that their probation officers pass written, oral, physical, and psychological exams as well as submit to a background check. Generally, applicants need to older than 21 years old; for federal positions, a new applicant may not be older than 37 years old.

Featured Online Schools for a Criminal Justice Degree:

• Colorado Technical University – Request Information
• Everest College Online – Phoenix – Request Information
• Kaplan University – Request Information
• South University – Request Information
• Virginia College – Request Information
• Westwood College – Request Information
  

Featured Campus Schools for a Criminal Justice Degree:

• Rasmussen College – Request Information
• South University – Request Information
• Virginia College – Request Information
• Westwood College – Request Information
  

Compatible Personality Traits
Strong desire to help others, excellent written and oral communication skills, able to work with all types of people, team player, technologically savvy, empathetic, self motivated, good under stress, willing to work odd hours.

Salary Expectations for a Probation Officer
The average salary for probation officers is $45,910 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $35,990 and $60,430. Those employed by a state government generally earn just slightly more than those employed by a local government.

Those who work in larger urban areas tend to earn more than their rural counterparts. Because this is most often a government position, pay should be fairly steady. Thus, those probation officers with more experience may not see raises as others do in the private sector unless they are able and willing to move in supervisor positions that command a higher salary.

Job Outlook for a Probation Officer
Those aspiring to become probation officers should not have trouble finding a position in the coming years. Because the get-tough-on-crime ethos of the past few decades has led to overcrowded prisons, many state and local courts have recently begun opting for probation instead of jail time for minor offenses. The result: more work for probation officers.

Of course, the need for more probation officers does not necessarily mean there is more money in budgets to pay them. Therefore, the pay a probation officer receives will be highly dependent on the amount of money employing government agencies have and/or are willing to set aside.

Slightly off the Footpath
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Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos265.htm