What Does a Probation Officer Do?

Within the vast professional arena of criminal justice, probation officers serve a unique and critical function.

In a broad sense, probation officers are the eyes and ears of the court when it comes to keeping track of individuals who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony and have been released from jail. Behind the scenes, however, probation officers engage in a dynamic range of tasks and responsibilities, making it a professional field in which no two days are the same.

What Are the Basic Roles of a Probation Officer?

According to Robert Doolin, an instructor in Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) online criminal justice bachelor’s program who spent 15 years as a probation officer at the state and federal levels, the main role of a probation officer is to monitor individuals who have been convicted of crimes and released from jail.

“These individuals, typically referred to as an offender or probationer, must abide by certain terms and conditions set forth by their sentencing judge,” he said.

Doolin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public affairs, and he has taught college-level courses since 2003. He said there are essentially three key responsibilities when it comes to the work of probation officers:

• Supervise
• Investigate
• Report

“Probation officers supervise those offenders that are placed under their supervision. This is called their caseload,” Doolin said. “Probation officers then investigate how offenders are doing in the community, on their jobs, etc. Finally, probation officers have the duty to report any and all violations of probation conditions to the court.”

What Skills and Abilities Does It Take to Succeed as a Probation Officer?

There are a number of skills and personal attributes that can make someone a good fit for a career as a probation officer, but one in particular that Doolin identified is being an effective communicator.

“Strong communication skills are an absolute must,” he said. “Officers must be able to communicate with a variety of people, from 19-year-old defendants to 70-year-old judges.”

Other types of individuals and groups that probation officers typically communicate with, Doolin said, are those who interact with offenders on a daily basis and represent a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds, including:

• Employers
• Family members
• Police officers
• Preachers
• Teachers

In addition to utilizing communication skills while meeting and speaking with these individuals, Doolin said writing skills are also important for probation officers.

“Strong writing skills are needed to complete complex and accurate reports that judges rely on to make sentencing determinations,” he said.

Doolin noted that professional integrity is another necessary characteristic of probation officers.

“Officers must conduct themselves in a manner that is in line with professions within criminal justice,” he said. “The community should expect probation officers to abide by the rule of law and treat each and every individual with the dignity and respect that they deserve.”

What Education and Training is Required to Become a Probation Officer?

In the federal criminal justice system and nearly every state, Doolin said, probation officers are required to have a bachelor’s degree. While some states prefer a degree in criminal justice or social science, others simply require a bachelor’s degree regardless of academic discipline.

“Competitively, most federal probation officers are working on or have completed their master’s degree,” he said, explaining that a graduate degree can help you advance your career in the field.

Doolin pointed out that, along with academic credentials, you’ll also likely undergo varying levels of professional orientation and training depending on if you’re hired at the state or federal level.

“In Indiana, for example, officers must take and pass a Probation Officer Exam that is given in Indianapolis,” he said. “A week-long training then occurs for new officers within the first six months of their employment.”

At the federal level, Doolin explained, you’ll be required to complete six weeks of training that includes instruction on supervision, investigation, firearms and safety.

Is Probation Officer a Good Job?

Doolin advised that if you’re interested in a personally rewarding professional career helping others improve their lives while also providing a critical service to your community, then probation officer could be an ideal fit.

“It is indeed a ‘helping’ profession with the opportunity to help probationers live law-abiding lives and also protect the community from potential crimes of those probationers,” he said.

While working as a probation officer can be a personally fulfilling career path, Doolin said it also comes with challenges.

“Probation officers face many challenges, including supervising individuals who have dangerous or violent backgrounds,” he said. “Probationers may suffer from severe drug addiction and mental health disorders, and probation officers must offer help and resources to those individuals while also protecting the community.”

What is the Top Salary for Probation Officers?

As with many professional fields, the salary you can earn as a probation officer is usually directly tied to your level of education and training, as well as how much experience you have working in the profession.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2023, approximately 90,700 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists were employed across the country, and that number is expected to grow by 4% between 2023 and 2033.*

The most recent statistics from the BLS indicate that a majority of probation officers work for a federal, state or local government agency and spend much of their time traveling to perform employment checks, home checks, property searches and attend hearings for the probationers in their caseloads.

The BLS reports that the median annual wage for probation and correctional treatment specialists in 2023 was $61,800.*

Doolin said that, for many, working as a probation officer is a personal calling and a fulfilling career, helping people get their lives back on track while also ensuring safer communities.

“Probation work truly is a service to the community and provides a way for officers to be involved within their community in a number of ways,” he said.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.