Job Description If you think you would like to connect with and help other people as an officer in the court system, then you may wish to explore these probation officer requirements. Knowing the job is vital as a consequence of nature of the work. Given that prisons are packed and certain infractions aren’t considered as punishable as others, probation officers are assigned to monitor convicts who are assigned to serve out probation time rather than prison time. Every convicted criminal who is assigned probation must follow strict guidelines that are supervised by their probation officer. Probation officers work for federal and state governments, agencies, and jurisdictions. Probation officers can work for all age groups or choose a specific one to work with, such as juvenile delinquents or adults. Probation officer requirements also cover the need for monitoring of the convict’s home, family, friends, and work situations. A convicted criminal is scheduled to meet frequently with their probation officer. Another critical function of a probation officer can include helping ex-offenders to acquire work and housing. Probation officers will help them find help for substance abuse or other addictions. Each probation officer must regularly report on the improvement of each case. Just about every probation officer will be appointed multiple cases at a time, from 25 to 100. Regrettably, most probations officers spend their time monitoring high-risk offenders that have commited felonies or violence. Probation Officer Qualifications While each city, state, or federal agency has different probation officer requirements, normally you need at least a bachelor’s degree to be offered a job.. The most popular bachelor degrees for the majority of employers include criminal justice, justice administration, social work, corrections, psychology or sociology. Several companies might only hire those with a master’s degree, particularly for supervisory jobs. For holders of associate’s degrees, you might still qualify to work as a probation officer if you have a couple of years of experience in social work, counseling, criminal investigation, or corrections. Aspiring officers should also develop superior writing and interpersonal skills. If you need to know how to become a police officer, there are many guidelines available on the web that will give you a direct degree path to take. Five important reasons that earning a degree will help someone establishing a profession as a probation officer are: 1. Employers demand a bachelor’s degree to even look at a job applicant, 2.Some employers require the addition of a master’s degree in a social science or criminal justice field, which implies one should have already acquired a bachelor’s degree, 3. A degree will help you fulfill the job requirements without needing to have years of work experience, 4. The skills you learn in a degree program will prepare you for the situations you will face as a probation officer, and 5. The field of probationary sentencing is increasing and therefore the probation officer requirements are intensifying. Only those who fulfill all the probation officer requirements will be able to find work. Usually there are three importation probation officer requirements that must be fulfilled: you need to be 21 years old, pass a federal probation officer exam, and be psychologically as well as physically fit. Security is high for incoming probation officers, so all will be drug tested and have a criminal background check prior to when they are hired. The majority of the training occurs while at work with new employees undergoing a supervised training and probationary period of up to one full year. Federal agencies also require at least 2 years of prior work experience, which is typically obtained at state or local agencies. Statistics show that job opportunities for probation officers will grow 10% during the 2008-2018 decade.. Subsequently, one who hopes to meet the probation officer requirements would be smart to obtain a bachelor’s degree in social sciences or criminal justice administration so as to meet the criteria. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earn a mean salary of $45,910 annually, as of 2008. This offers some insight for this growing field of employment.