Welcome to our juvenile probation officer jobs web page where will will take a closer look at the juvenile probation officer job description, requirements, duties and type of work involved in kind of probation position. Many who are interested in probation officer jobs are especially interested in working with youth and becoming juvenile probation officers. Rarely do probation officers work with adults and youth at the same time, so typically one will pursue working with adults or working with juveniles when starting their pursuit in the career of becoming a probation officer. Working with juveniles can be very rewarding in that it can give an officer a real sense of satisfaction in helping turn around the life a young offender so that they can live a productive life, and become a productive member of the local community. Working with youth before pursuing this career is a great way to determine if this job will be a good fit for you. Not only will previous work with youth help you determine if this is a career you would like, it is also a great way to prepare and provides the necessary experience you’ll need before becoming a juvenile probation officer.

Juvenile Probation Officer Requirements

Just as probation officers working with adults you will find it may be necessary to have completed a college bachelor’s degree to pursue this career. Degrees related to the probation field are most desirable; for example, a degree in criminal justice, counseling, or psychology would help to give you a leg up on the competition. As mentioned above having worked with youth in the past is also something you will want to be able to put on your resume when applying for this position. The best time to work with youth is during the period when you are obtaining your college degree. Organizations you can reach out to in order to get experience are the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Big Brother, Big Sister, coaching a youth team, and camp counseling. Any type of activity involving the leadership, supervision and coordination of youth is great in showing that you can effectively and responsible work with younger people. The more juvenile probation officer requirements you are able to meet the better chance you will have of out shining other candidates and landing a job in this field.

Juvenile Probation Officer Job Description

Juvenile probation officers are responsible for working with youths who are assigned a period of probation rather than being sentenced to juvenile hall (jail). When juveniles are sentenced to probation they are expected to stay out of trouble and also meet numerous other guidelines in order to provide them with structure and to help get them “back on track” to becoming productive citizens of the community. Probation officers help youths by meeting with the offenders one on one, and also with their friends, family, and local residents in their neighborhood. Juveniles may also be monitored by officers through the use of electronic tracking devices which are able to monitor exactly where they are at all times. Officers may also be required to attend substance abuse classes in order to be more effective at their jobs. It is very uncommon for a probation officer to work with youth and adults, however this may be the case in some smaller rural communities. In some states the job of probation officer and parole officer may also be combined.

Officers will find that they spend quite a bit of time working with the local courts. Officers will look into the background of juveniles, and will also write descriptive reports and give recommendations to the local court for probation guidelines for offenders. Officers will also communicate their reports and recommendations with juveniles and their families before presenting them to the court. Officers will attend court hearings in order to voice their recommendations, and provide information about offenders and their probation progress.

Juvenile Probation Officer Job Stress

The career of a juvenile probation officer can be a stressful. Officers are constantly working with juveniles who have committed crimes and whom may dangerous and abrasive at times. Officers will also need to meet with the family and friends of offenders who may be angry, upset and can be difficult to work with at times. Officers may also be under heavy workloads juggling many cases at all times. Court sanctioned deadlines also add to the already hectic schedule of an officers daily routines.

In order to help and officer deal with these heavy workloads being good with computers, having strong writing skills and interpersonal skills is a must. Juvenile probation officers will generally be required to work a 40 hour work week, and it is not uncommon that an officer be required to work overtime. Officers will also generally be required to be on call in the case of emergencies.

Juvenile Probation Officer Salary

Juvenile probation officer salary figures will vary from state to state and also based on time and experience on the job. Individuals with masters degrees in related fields can expect to earn more in this position than those without. Those with related graduate degrees can also expect to be on a faster track to advancement. In addition to earning your yearly salary you can expect medical, dental and vision coverage. Additionally when working for the government you will be eligible for city, county, or state pension plans and benefits. For information regarding pay you can visit our probation officer salary figures page.

To excel at this position, it is necessary to be passionate about helping others. Being able to get young people excited about turning their lives around, forming better habits and setting goals is must. This job is very hands on and requires you to lead by example. You must be able to earn the trust and respect of the youth you are working, and there is no room in this position for the shy, or timid. We hope this closer look at juvenile probation officer jobs has given you a better idea of the duties, requirements and overall responsibilities of this job.