What is a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist?
Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Definition 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
- Conduct prehearing and presentencing investigations and testify in court regarding offenders' backgrounds and recommended sentences and sentencing conditions.
- Identify and approve work placements for offenders with community service sentences.
- Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.
- Recommend appropriate penitentiary for initial placement of an offender.
- Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
- Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
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Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists say are important on the job.
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.
Other Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Job Titles
- Correctional Case Manager
- Drill Instructor
- Correctional Casework Specialist
- Truant Officer
- Parole/Probation Specialist
What Kind of Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Job Opportunities Are There?
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. The BLS estimates 8,300 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist Salary
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 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists:
- 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 to Become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
Individuals working as a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist?

Who Employs Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists?

The table below shows the approximate number of Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist might also be interested in the following careers:
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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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