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Probation and Parole Officers counsel juvenile or adult offenders in activities related to legal conditions of probation or parole.

Probation Officers supervise and assist juvenile or adult offenders, for a fixed period of time, who have been convicted but, instead of serving time in a correctional facility, have received a suspended sentence. Probation Officers carry out investigations, write reports, make recommendations to courts, counsel probationers, and cooperate with community agencies.

Parole Officers supervise and assist juvenile or adult offenders who have served part of their sentence in a correctional institution. They do this by establishing a relationship with the offender and familiarize themselves with the offender's social history prior to and during incarceration. They help parolees establish a crime-free life outside of correctional facilities.

JOB DUTIES 

Probation Officers may:

Determine which cases fall within the jurisdiction of various courts

Release children or adults to their families or have them held until the preliminary hearing begins

Conduct pre-hearing or pre-sentence investigations of adults and juveniles by interviewing the offender, family, and others concerned

Explain the terms of probation to sentenced probationers

Prepare a social history of the offender for the court

Interpret findings and suggest a plan of rehabilitation or treatment

Arrange for job placement, medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services, if ordered by the court

Provide counseling and encouragement to probationers

Evaluate a probationer's progress on a follow-up basis in written reports

Secure remedial action, if necessary, by taking the probationer back before the court

Parole Officers may:

Participate in the preparation and development of a release plan

Confer with legal representatives, family, and other concerned persons to conduct pre-hearing or pre-sentencing investigations

Provide advice to released offenders and conduct a regular plan of counseling and interviews

Help the parolee obtain education or employment

Attempt to involve the families of parolees in helping to solve problems of adjustment

Evaluate the parolee's progress on a follow-up basis

Return the parolee to an institution when necessary or secure appropriate remedial action from the paroling authority

Compile reports and testify in court

An officer may work in both probation and parole and be known as a Probation and Parole Officer.

Probation and Parole Officers in supervisory or administrative positions may:

Appoint and direct the work of Probation and Parole Officers, clerical personnel, and other staff

Establish policies, rules, and procedures to insure proper handling

of investigative work for courts, institutions, and other authorities

Maintain liaisons with judges and with heads of other agencies serving courts

Prepare and provide administrative reports to courts

Machines, tools, equipment, and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Probation and Parole Officers may specialize in these areas:

195.107-046 PROBATION OFFICERS assist juvenile or adult offenders who have been convicted but, instead of serving time in a correctional facility, have received a suspended sentence. Probation Officers carry out investigations, write reports, make recommendations to courts, counsel probationers, and cooperate with community agencies.

PAROLE OFFICERS supervise juvenile or adult offenders who have served part of their sentence in a correctional institution. They do this by establishing a relationship with the offender and by familiarizing them selves with the offender's social history prior to and during incarceration.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Probation and Parole Officers work independently. However, both work under a supervisor, department head, or probation or parole director with whom they have regular meetings. Officers do some of their work in courtrooms and offices. At other times, they perform field work in all types of weather and at all hours of the day. Most Officers work in well lighted, air-conditioned quarters, but some work in crowded rooms in old buildings. Some may have to share office space.

Probation and Parole Officers usually work 35 to 40 hours a week, but schedules and hours can vary greatly. Officers generally have office hours one night a week to accommodate parolees or probationers who work during the day. Officers find some local and long-distance travel is required to visit clients' homes and out-of-town institutions.

Many Probation and Parole Officers join professional associations such as the American Correctional Association or belong to a union such as the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Members usually pay a membership fee or union dues.

In some states there are Parole and Probation Officers associations which meet on a regular basis.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving the communication of ideas/information to others

• Activities involving direct personal contact to help/deal with

people

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation from others

You Should Be Able To:

• Know the meanings of words/ideas and present information effectively

• See detail/errors in numbers/spelling/punctuation in written

materials

• Rate information by using your personal judgment

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Direct/control/plan an entire activity or the activities of others

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work under stress, with frequent, direct contact with individuals

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a minor is on probation for 400 days and his probation starts on March 15, what date will it end?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS attacks the immune system, thereby weakening the body's defense against disease.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the reasons for a given offender's probation.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to keep a certain juvenile on the track to redeem themselves.

All Persons employed as Probation and Parole Officers by the State of Michigan must be certified by the Corrections Commission of the Michigan Department of Corrections. Applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree in a related discipline; reside in the county or a contiguous county of the worksite; be of good moral character; pass the Michigan Civil Service exam to be placed on the employment list; provide references; submit to a background investigation; and pass an oral interview. There is no licensing fee.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

091 LAW ENFORCEMENT & CORRECTIONS

Programs in Law Enforcement and Corrections provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment in protective services, local police forces, county sheriff departments, Michigan State Police, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Courses within this program vary but may include:

161 SOCIAL SERVICE

Programs in Social Service provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for professional employment with agencies which promote the welfare of the individual and the community. Individuals may work for hospitals, nursing homes, religious organizations, schools, welfare and social services agencies, the judicial system, and other concerned groups. The minimum degree for registration as a certified Social Worker is a Master's Degree in Social Work.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs   

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Volunteer service in hospitals, churches, parks, playgrounds, settlement houses, and summer camps may be helpful. Individuals may also work in paid positions as aides or helpers in social, religious, social service, police, or correctional agencies. Such experience will help individuals gain insight into people's behavior and develop sensitivity to their needs. Postsecondary programs in law enforcement and corrections as well as in social service may provide co-op, internship, or related work experience opportunities.

  School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Probation and Parole Officer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Probation and Parole Officer employer

community service work with an agency

The usual method of entry is direct application to federal, state, and local civil service offices. Assistance in locating a job may be available through your college placement office or through an office of Michigan Works!. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such a

Michigan Talent Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers  

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter your electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries of Probation and Parole Officers vary with the individual's experience and level of education, the type and size of the employer, and the geographic location.

Nationally, earnings of Probation and Parole Officers working for the federal government ranged from GS level 9 at $31,195 to Level 12 at $63,567 per year in 1999. Chief officers earned $63,567 or more per year (1999). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Earnings of Parole/Probation Officers working for the State of Michigan ranged from $29,390 to $49,774 per year in mid 1999. Parole/Probation Officer Managers earned from $40,394 to $72,634 per year.

Earnings of Probation Officers, depending on level of responsibility, in certain counties of Michigan were (1996):

In addition to their regular pay, some Probation and Parole Officers receive periodic cost-of-living adjustments and/or annual longevity payments which depend on their length of employment.

Probation and Parole Officers generally receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Government agencies usually provide in-service training to new Probation and Parole Officers. Individuals with graduate degrees in the social sciences and experienced Officers may advance to supervisory or administrative positions. A possible career ladder may be: Probation and Parole Officer trainee; Probation and Parole Officer; supervisor or administrator. Ability, level of education, and experience are the most important factors affecting advancement.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

There were about 20,967 Probation Officers and Parole Officers employed nationally in 1998. About 2,293 of these officers were supervisors. More probation and parole officers will be needed because of the increasing population of offenders.

About 1,183 Probation and Parole Officers are employed in state and federal government services in Michigan in 1999. About 510 additional Probation and Parole Officers worked for district and juvenile courts. Others are employed by courts or work in correctional facilities or parole offices.

More Probation and Parole Officers will be needed because of the increasing population of offenders.

Employment outlook in the field will also be determined by laws affecting prisoners. Although early release of prisoners has been periodically ordered by Michigan courts in recent years to ease prison overcrowding, reluctance to implement those orders has reduced the number of prisoners eligible for parole.

Michigan is opening several new correctional facilities statewide. More prison space could reduce the number of probationers, as well as parolees. Reduced caseloads may affect the number of Probation and Parole Officers needed.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Probation & Parole Officer can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development