Probation Officer Career: Duties, Pay, and Job Outlook

Introduction

One of the most challenging and potentially rewarding careers in criminal justice is that of a probation officer. Probation officers are on the front line in working with and monitoring released offenders in an effort to prevent them from committing new crimes and being reincarcerated. By helping to keep offenders out of prison, probation officers can improve the quality of life for their probationers while saving the government significant amounts of money in the process. Although significant growth is projected in the field and the pay is generally good, working as a probation officer is not for everyone. This paper provides a review of the relevant literature to determine the responsibilities and typical job tasks of probation officers, the types of work environments they encounter, national salary levels, and the outlook for this position in the future. A summary of the research and important findings concerning probation officers and their work is provided in the conclusion.

Background and Overview

Most people have likely either seen a probation officer on television or in the movies, but these brief glimpses into the busy lives of probation officers do not reflect what is actually involved. According to Black's Law Dictionary (1991), a probation officer is "one who supervises a person (commonly juveniles) placed on probation by a court in a criminal proceeding. They are required to report to the court the progress of the probationer and to surrender them if they violate the terms and conditions of their probation" (p. 1202). Likewise, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that probation officers "work with and monitor offenders to prevent them from committing new crimes" (Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, 2012). The general responsibilities described in the foregoing definitions are consistent with the specific responsibilities that probation officers are expected to perform, which include the following:

Although the responsibilities assigned to probation officers vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the tasks listed above are consistent with those described in the relevant literature (Weisburd, Waring, & Chayet, 2001). The demand for probation officers is projected to continue increasing through 2020. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "continued growth in the demand for probation and parole services will lead to new openings for officers" (Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, 2012, para. 2). Approximately 37,300 new probation officer jobs were expected to be available by 2020 (Probation officer tasks, 2012).

Educational and Aptitude Requirements

At present, the educational requirements for probation officers usually include at minimum a bachelor's degree, and these requirements are generally higher than those required for police officers; however, this requirement also varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction (Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, 2012). In addition, a majority of employers require probation officer applicants to pass oral, written, and psychological examinations prior to being accepted for the position (Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, 2012). In the United States, the median annual income for probation officers was $47,200 in mid-2010 (Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, 2012), or about $23.00 per hour (Probation officer tasks, 2012). There are currently about 93,000 probation officers working in the United States (Probation officer tasks, 2012).

The credentials required to become a probation officer have not always mirrored those required to become a police officer; however, in recent years the probation officer profession has become more professionalized, and the difference between requirements for the two roles is becoming less distinct. In this regard, Dominey (2010) reports that "in the past, there were significant differences in the arrangements for and expectations of the training and education of those intending to become probation officers and police officers" (p. 6). More recently, though, the probation officer profession has become closely aligned with law enforcement, but with a stronger emphasis on higher education. As Dominey points out, "over the past decade, the training for both occupations has moved closer together, with the use of national vocational qualifications and the creation of a range of awards based in higher education. Probation officer training has been located in higher education for much of its history" (2010, p. 7).

Besides educational credentials, prospective probation officers need to be aware of a number of other requirements that go hand-in-hand with the job. The O*NET Online occupational profile for probation officers identifies the following desirable personal attributes:

Conclusion

Taken together, the research made it clear that probation officers play a vital role in the nation's criminal justice system, and the extent to which these professionals are able to do their jobs effectively may determine the extent to which probationers will avoid reoffending and being reincarcerated in the future. Because many of the cases assigned to probation officers involve juvenile offenders, these interventions represent a life-changing opportunity for young people who may not receive another second chance. The research also showed that most probation officer positions require a four-year degree, and that the median pay of more than $47,000 per year is appropriate for that level of education. At the same time, the research demonstrated that many probation officers carry heavy caseloads that make the work demanding, and that probation as a supervisory practice involves conditions that can be genuinely dangerous. In the final analysis, the probation officer profession is not for everyone, but it does represent a viable career path for those with the right aptitude and commitment.