Juvenile Officer
Working with children
What they do
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists usually:
- Evaluate the offender and find the best way of rehabilitation
- Provide resources for the offender
- Test offenders for drugs and offer counseling
- Monitor offenders, help with their progress, & write reports
Environment
Because of the association with criminal offenders, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists have a high risk especially during meetings with the offenders family or friends who may get upset or be difficult to work with. This job has very high stress levels due tot he fact that they must write extensive reports and meet court deadlines. Also the hostile environment adds to the load but despite that the work can be very rewarding.
How do you become one?
- Most employers require a oral, written, and psychological exam to be taken.
- A bachelor's degree is usually required in one of the following fields: social work, criminal justice, behavioral sciences, or a related field.
- A training program is required and provided by the state or federal government in which afterwards a certification test must be completed. Those who are specializing in a certain field can take courses for the field.
- Employers want people no younger than 21 with a record free of felony convictions and a drug test to be done.
Pay
The median pay in 2012 was $48,190 per year and $23.17 an hour.
Job outlook
Employment from 2012 to 2022 is supposed to have no change.
Similar occupations
- Polices and detectives
- Social workers
- Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors