Become a Probation Officer - Parole Officer Career Q&A
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Probation and parole officers supervise offenders placed on probation (people who fulfill the terms of court-ordered sentences) and parolees (people who are released from prison to fulfill parole-board-ordered sentences). In some states, the job of parole and probation officer is combined. Parole has been abolished in the federal corrections system.
Probation Officer Job Description
Serving as the link to a variety of social services, probation and parole officers help their clients secure the education, counseling, jobs and housing necessary to become fully rehabilitated. Probation officers usually work exclusively with either adults or juveniles. Many officers meet the offenders in their homes and at their places of employment or therapy, and may handle anywhere from 20 to 300 active cases at a time.
Based on the officers' investigative work on their clients, officers write reports to provide judges with important information necessary to pronounce an appropriate sentence for each offender. Probation and parole officers testify at pretrial and parole board hearings to help explain these reports. In addition, they are responsible for investigating any violations of court-ordered sentences.
Education & Training
You'll need a 4-year bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related area to work in the field. Many parole and probation officers have a master's degree in criminal justice, social work or psychology. Federal officers must have at least two years of experience. Most parole and probation officers work as trainees for about six months, then obtain a permanent position. A typical agency has several levels of probation and parole officers, including supervisory positions.
Licensing & Certification
At minimum, you'll need to be a US citizen over 20 years old, not be a convicted felon, have a bachelor's degree, and pass several competitive written, oral, psychological, and physical examinations. Some states require that parole and probation officers take certification tests during or after the completion of training.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, correctional treatment specialists earned a median salary of $46,130 in 2006. Higher wages tend to be found in urban areas.
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