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.
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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.
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.
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?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Are Employed
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists work in the following industries:
Related Careers
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
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