What Does it Take to Be a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist?
Position Description 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.
Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Responsibilities
- Gather information about offenders’ backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
- Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
- Conduct prehearing and presentencing investigations and testify in court regarding offenders’ backgrounds and recommended sentences and sentencing conditions.
- Recommend appropriate penitentiary for initial placement of an offender.
- Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
- Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
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Things a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists say are the most useful in their careers:
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Prisoner Classification Interviewer
- Parole Officer
- Court Worker
- Offender Employment Specialist (OES)
- Correctional Probation Officer
Job Outlook for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
In the United States, there were 91,300 jobs for Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,200 new jobs for Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 8,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist are Nevada, Texas, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, New Jersey, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
The average yearly salary of a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist ranges between $34,630 and $94,770.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists who work in California, Rhode Island, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,680 |
| Alaska | $67,320 |
| Arizona | $54,670 |
| Arkansas | $38,700 |
| California | $89,240 |
| Colorado | $60,150 |
| Florida | $35,630 |
| Georgia | $43,100 |
| Idaho | $42,680 |
| Illinois | $67,910 |
| Indiana | $48,460 |
| Iowa | $70,360 |
| Kansas | $43,010 |
| Kentucky | $38,080 |
| Louisiana | $48,280 |
| Maine | $46,510 |
| Maryland | $59,070 |
| Massachusetts | $69,190 |
| Michigan | $60,490 |
| Minnesota | $67,000 |
| Mississippi | $36,790 |
| Missouri | $37,320 |
| Montana | $45,890 |
| Nebraska | $45,810 |
| Nevada | $61,340 |
| New Hampshire | $63,790 |
| New Jersey | $73,810 |
| New Mexico | $42,970 |
| New York | $70,690 |
| North Carolina | $44,710 |
| North Dakota | $54,950 |
| Ohio | $50,410 |
| Oklahoma | $37,730 |
| Oregon | $61,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,280 |
| Rhode Island | $83,060 |
| South Carolina | $43,660 |
| South Dakota | $46,490 |
| Tennessee | $41,930 |
| Texas | $46,950 |
| Utah | $51,150 |
| Vermont | $64,530 |
| Virginia | $48,250 |
| Washington | $62,270 |
| West Virginia | $39,530 |
| Wisconsin | $47,760 |
| Wyoming | $48,790 |
What Tools & Technology do Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Appointment scheduling software
- Case management software
- Speech recognition software
How do I Become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist?
Are there Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist?
Who Employs Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Army Medicine via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Reusing_content_outside_Wikimedia
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