Job Responsibilities
In my current position I help supervise 13 probation officers
and also carry a small caseload of about 25 probationers.
Probation officer have two main objectives which are to provide
the Judge or Magistrates with Pre-sentence Investigation reports
so they can make appropriate decisions on what should happen to
a youth when they come to court. The second objective is to
supervise/monitor the youth who are on probation and help them
complete court orders to get off of probation. Each day is
different. One day you might be in court most of the day. The
next you might be in the field visiting probationers at school,
home, and/or work. There is a lot of paperwork to complete.
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Job Requirements
Usually you have to atleast have a degree, Bachelor or
Associate. They would like for you to have the degree in
Criminal Justice or a similar field. They would also like you to have taken some
classes that deal with youth in the criminal justice field. Experience working
with youth is definitely a plus. A general love or like for kids is also good. A
general case book officer carries a case load of about 60 to 70 probationers at
my court. Specialized case book officer such as Sex Offender Probation Officer or
Intensive Probation Officer carry a smaller case load of about 35.
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Uppers
Seeing a youth be successful in any area. Fellow probation officers and staff at
the court have good working relationships (normally). Developing relationships
with other community social agencies such as schools, children services, police
officers, and families.
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Downers
Seeing the same youths getting in trouble constantly. Parents that do not care
about their kids. School systems that are not prepared to teach kids
appropriately. Cycles of the poor that you do not see anything changing in the
future. Baby's having babies.
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Lifestyle
Work hours are normally 8 to 5, however you do have a flex schedule such as a 10
to 7pm, 12 to 9pm, and even 2 to 11pm a few times out of the month. We do travel
to see kids at different placements. Sometimes in state sometimes out of state
but we do get a chance to use the county vehicles. There are about 3 social
events the entire year for court employee staff. Dress code is business attire.
Men wear dress pants and a tie, however on court date they are normally required
to wear a suit. Women can wear dress slacks and an appropriate top or appropriate
skirts. It takes a special kind of person to be a probtion officer because it can
be a burn out job.
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Compensation
Normal starting salaries for a probation officer is around
27,000 to 33,000 with annual increases.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Do some research before you go into this field because if you do
not like kids and you're expecting to get rich, it is definitely
the wrong business for you.
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