Probation Officer Job Market
by Kara Wahlgren
If you thrive under pressure and have the ability to defuse difficult situations, you may excel as a probations officer. Probation officers handle a large number of cases at a time, working directly with offenders and their community members to monitor their progress while on probation.
What are the duties of a probation officer?
Probation officers monitor the behavior of convicted criminals who have been placed on probation instead of receiving a jail sentence. While on probation, offenders are required to stay out of trouble and may need to undergo rehabilitation, job training, or substance abuse treatment. Probation officers may work with the offender's employer, friends, family, or church community to ensure that these requirements are being met. In addition, probation officers are expected to investigate the offenders' backgrounds, recommend sentences, and occasionally may be required to testify in court. A probation officer may handle up to 100 cases at a time, depending on the demands of each case.
Where can you find probation officer jobs?
The majority of jobs for probation officers are offered through the state or local government. Probation officers may also be employed by the U.S. court system through the federal government. Job are typically more plentiful in urban areas.
What do probation officer programs entail?
Probation officers are generally expected to hold a bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field. Candidates with no prior job experience may also benefit from completing a master's degree in one of these fields. Most probation officers are also required to complete a government training program followed by a certification test.
Is there a demand for probation officer jobs?
Budgetary constraints and prison crowding may lead to more offenders being placed on probation. In addition, many opportunities will open up due to the high demands of the job; probation officers juggle a heavy workload and may be assigned to work with uncooperative or violent clients. For candidates who can handle the stress, job openings for probation officers are expected to grow by 11 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What are the duties of a probation officer?
Probation officers monitor the behavior of convicted criminals who have been placed on probation instead of receiving a jail sentence. While on probation, offenders are required to stay out of trouble and may need to undergo rehabilitation, job training, or substance abuse treatment. Probation officers may work with the offender's employer, friends, family, or church community to ensure that these requirements are being met. In addition, probation officers are expected to investigate the offenders' backgrounds, recommend sentences, and occasionally may be required to testify in court. A probation officer may handle up to 100 cases at a time, depending on the demands of each case.
Where can you find probation officer jobs?
The majority of jobs for probation officers are offered through the state or local government. Probation officers may also be employed by the U.S. court system through the federal government. Job are typically more plentiful in urban areas.
What do probation officer programs entail?
Probation officers are generally expected to hold a bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field. Candidates with no prior job experience may also benefit from completing a master's degree in one of these fields. Most probation officers are also required to complete a government training program followed by a certification test.
Is there a demand for probation officer jobs?
Budgetary constraints and prison crowding may lead to more offenders being placed on probation. In addition, many opportunities will open up due to the high demands of the job; probation officers juggle a heavy workload and may be assigned to work with uncooperative or violent clients. For candidates who can handle the stress, job openings for probation officers are expected to grow by 11 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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