Job Description

For those of you who like law enforcement and want to make the earth a far more safe place, you would be smart to investigate some of the probation officer requirements. Knowing the job is crucial because of the nature associated with the work. Probation officers monitor the actions of charged criminals who have not served jail time. One of their principle obligations is to talk with offenders on a fixed schedule to report and go over their activities and actions to ensure that they follow the court-ordered probationary guidelines. A probation officer can obtain work with local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies.. Furthermore options to center on a specific age range, such as adults or youth.

Additional probation officer requirements related to duties include field work to communicate with probationer’s friends, family, neighbors, and city to attain details about their lifestyles, habits, and interests. They carry out probationer meetings frequently at the probation office, homes, and work sites. Another important function of a probation officer may include helping ex-offenders to obtain work and housing. Probation officers can help them find support for substance abuse or other addictions. Many probation officers will spend significant time in an office composing reports regarding their designated criminals. Based upon location and job level, probation officers can expect to work with 25 to 100 cases at any time. The majority of a probation officer’s time is spent in managing cases of high-risk ex-offenders convicted of felonies and violent crimes.

Probation Officer Qualifications
Most probation officers possess a bachelor’s degree and various job qualifications depending on the requirements of the state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies that employ them.. Nearly all law enforcement agencies look for a degree in criminal justice, social work, justice administration, psychology, sociology, or corrections.. Some employers call for a master’s degree in one of the previously named fields. When you only have an associate’s degree, it is possible to still fulfill employer requirements through comparable work experience. Aspiring officers should also develop excellent writing and interpersonal skills.
Here are five reasons why a college degree can assist you find a job as a probation officer:
1.    Most employers demand a degree in a social science or criminal justice,
2.Some employers need the addition of a master’s degree in a social science or criminal justice field, which means one must have already received a bachelor’s degree,
3.    A degree will help you to fulfill the job requirements without needing to have several years of work experience,
4.    The skills you learn in a degree program will equip you for the situations you will confront as a probation officer, and
5.    Competition for probation officer jobs is heating up. Only the most qualified and prepared applicants are going to be picked to help convicts have successful re-entry into society.

The certification requirements for probation officers in the majority of jurisdictions are that one be at least 21 years old, pass a state or federal exam (based on the employer), and pass psychological and physical exams. Security is high for arriving probation officers, so all will be drug tested and also have a criminal background check well before they are hired. Be prepared to go through more training during your first year, along with have another officer manage your work. In the event you aspire to work in a federal agency, you’ll need at least two years of experience doing the job at a local or state level.

The quantity of jobs available for probation officers is anticipated to grow 10% during the next decade.. Subsequently, one who hopes to meet the probation officer requirements would be wise to get a bachelor’s degree in social sciences or criminal justice administration so that you can meet the criteria. The Bureau of Labor Statistics asserted that in 2008 the mean salary of probation officers was $45,910 annually. Being employed as a probation officer is a wonderful choice for anyone wanting to be employed in law enforcement, receive a high salary, and also have excellent job security.