Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist

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  Career Profile

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist

What they do

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.

Also Called: Adult Probation Officer, Correctional Counselor, Deputy Probation Officer (DPO), Juvenile Probation Officer, Parole Agent, Parole Officer (PO), Probation Agent, Probation and Parole Officer, Probation Counselor, Probation Officer, Adult Probation Officer, Correctional Counselor, Deputy Probation Officer (DPO), Juvenile Probation Officer, Parole Agent, Parole Officer (PO), Probation Agent, Probation and Parole Officer, Probation Counselor, Probation Officer

$41,700
Starting Salary (2023)
$61,800
Median Salary (2023)
2.5%
Projected Job Growth
85,870
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
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.
Write reports describing offenders' progress.
Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Integrity
Self-Control
Dependability
Stress Tolerance
Attention to Detail
Concern for Others

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring

Expected Knowledge

Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Common Activities

Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

More Info

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