Probation officers oversee individuals sentenced to probation for committing crimes that don't warrant a jail or prison term. In some states, probation officers are also parole officers, monitoring offenders who need to be monitored after they have been released from prison. Their job is to supervise and guide these individuals as they re-enter society to pursue education, employment and family life.

The job can be very stressful and expose officers to the dark side of human behavior. On the other hand, many probation officers find it rewarding to help individuals get their lives back on track. In that sense, the role a probation officer plays in society is similar to that of a social worker.

Day in the Life of a Probation Officer

Probation officers, also known as community supervision officers, wear many hats. They are required to enforce the laws of the state; but they also need to be sensitive to the needs of their clients and the clients' families and do everything possible to put them in a better position to succeed.

Probation officers usually work in juvenile, adult or family divisions of probation departments. Their duties may vary depending on whether the position is at the local, state or federal level — but they revolve around supervision, providing social resources, and reporting to the court.

Supervisory duties:

  • Monitor offenders that have been released from incarceration
  • Supervise and investigate defendants who have not yet been sentenced to a term of incarceration
  • Meet with offenders to monitor their whereabouts or check on electronic tracking devices
  • Investigate violations of court-ordered sentences
  • Test offenders for drugs or substance abuse

Social resource duties:

  • Counsel offenders and their families to help them locate resources for employment, housing, education or therapy
  • Develop rehabilitation programs for offenders and evaluate their progress
  • Visit clients at home or at their workplace

Reporting duties:

  • Develop and maintain a case folder for each offender
  • Report to the courts on each client's progress and whether a client is fulfilling court-ordered restriction
  • Investigate an offender's background to support a recommendation for a specific restriction plan for certain offenders
  • Write pre-sentence reports for judges
  • Testify at parole board and pretrial hearings to provide clarification on issues before the judge

Important Characteristics for Probation Officers

Ideally, probation officers have excellent communication and interpersonal skills which enable them to interact with a wide variety of people, including defendants and probationers, probationers' family members, victims, treatment providers, attorneys and judges. They must also have a firm grasp of the law, proficiency with computers, an ability to seek facts, make decisions, and present information fairly and objectively.

Education Requirements

Probation officers are typically required to have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related subject. If a candidate doesn't have related work experience, an employer may require a master's degree. What counts as related experience varies by employer but may include pretrial services, probation, corrections, criminal investigations, parole, counseling, social work and substance abuse treatment.

It is also wise to do an internship in the court system (whether federal, state, district, probate or juvenile courts). This can provide experience and help you decide what division of the court you prefer the most. Typically, candidates must also pass oral, written and psychological examinations.

Most candidates must also complete a probation officer training program sponsored by the federal government or their state government, after which they may need to take a certification test. Typically, probation officers work as trainees or in a probationary period for up to a year before they are offered a permanent job.

(Note: Individuals convicted of felonies may not be eligible for employment in this field.)

Career Tips

Seasoned probation officers share the voice of experience with these career tips:

  • Take courses in family dynamics and child development. Work or volunteer in daycare centers, afterschool programs, or YMCAs for a full understanding of child-related issues. This background may be helpful as you interact with your clients and their families, or with juvenile offenders.
  • Pursue healthy outlets in your spare time. Being a probation officer can be stressful, and you need to take care of your own mental and physical health.

Sources:

  • Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm
  • Summary Report - Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, O*NET OnLine, https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1092.00

Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide Skills

Below are the skills needed to be probation officer education overview and career guide according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Skill NameImportanceCompetence
Critical Thinking44
Social Perceptiveness44.5
Speaking44
Active Listening3.884.12
Monitoring3.884.12

Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide Abilities

Below are the abilities needed to be probation officer education overview and career guide according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Ability NameImportanceCompetence
Problem Sensitivity4.124.25
Oral Comprehension44
Oral Expression44.25
Inductive Reasoning3.883.75
Speech Recognition3.883.5

Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide Knowledge

Below are the knowledge areas needed to be probation officer education overview and career guide according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest).

   
Knowledge AreaImportanceCompetence
Law and Government4.314.34
Psychology4.34.93
Public Safety and Security4.34.36
English Language4.134.59
Customer and Personal Service3.974.92

Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide Work activities

Below are the work activities involved in being probation officer education overview and career guide according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work ActivityImportanceCompetence
Getting Information4.65.63
Documenting/Recording Information4.434.68
Interacting With Computers4.363.21
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.354.83
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.274.81

Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide Work styles

Below are the work styles involved in being probation officer education overview and career guide according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest).

   
Work StyleImportance
Integrity4.86
Self Control4.77
Stress Tolerance4.76
Dependability4.68
Attention to Detail4.63

Metro Areas Sorted by Total Employment for
Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide

Listed below are the 10 largest metro areas based on the total number of people employed in Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide jobs , as of 2019

   
Metro AreaTotal EmploymentAnnual Mean Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim5,170$87,700
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington1,900$49,860
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land1,820$46,060
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale1,560$57,560
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade1,200$102,310
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell1,170$46,020
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario1,120$87,800
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson960$58,900
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood920$63,540
Austin-Round Rock800$46,450

Compare Total Employment & Salaries for Probation Officers

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Total employment and salary for professions similar to probation officers

Source : 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov; O*NET® 24.3 Database, O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, onetonline.org

We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Probation Officer Education Overview and Career Guide.

Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.