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Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist

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What is 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.

List of Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Job Duties

  • Inform offenders or inmates of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.
  • 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.
  • Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
  • Recommend appropriate penitentiary for initial placement of an offender.
  • Arrange for postrelease services, such as employment, housing, counseling, education, and social activities.
  • Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.

Qualities of a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist

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.

Types of Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist

  • Classification Officer
  • Certified Juvenile Probation Officer
  • Probation Specialist
  • Correctional Officer
  • Prisoner Classification Interviewer

What Kind of Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Job Opportunities Are There?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 91,300 jobs in the United States for Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist. 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.

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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.

Average Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Salary

The typical yearly salary for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists is somewhere between $34,630 and $94,770.

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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 different U.S. states?

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 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

Becoming a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist

What education is needed to be a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Are Employed

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Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists work in the following industries:

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Those thinking about becoming a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Army Medicine via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Reusing_content_outside_Wikimedia

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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