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Community and Social Service

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
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Median pay

$64,520
Median annual pay for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

7,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

92,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+2,400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Law and Government
  2. 2Public Safety and Security
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Psychology
  5. 5Therapy and Counseling
  6. 6Sociology and Anthropology

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Deductive Reasoning
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Written Comprehension
  5. 5Inductive Reasoning
  6. 6Oral Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Realistic
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Integrity
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Self-Control
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Social Orientation
  6. 6Attention to Detail

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Documenting/Recording Information
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  5. 5Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  6. 6Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work context

  1. 1Contact With Others
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3E-Mail
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  6. 6Conflict Situations

Representative tasks

  • Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
  • Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
  • Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
  • Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
  • Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.
  • Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.
  • Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole.
  • Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologySpeech recognition softwareAppointment scheduling softwareLinkedInEmail softwareElectronic tracking device software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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