Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Community and Social Service
Keeps a case file on each assigned inmate or offender and gathers background from the person, family, friends, and others. Interviews people on probation or parole to check progress, and discusses how drug or alcohol use and anger may have played a part in their offenses. Supervises community sentences through electronic home detention, curfew checks, and visits at home, work, or school. Investigates alleged violations using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure, then recommends court action or other remedies and arranges treatment when needed. Suits people who listen closely, keep careful records, and make firm decisions in the field.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$66'270
Median Wage Market Position
$66'270
What you might do
- Interview probationers to check progress on their terms
- Gather background from offenders, families, and others
- Discuss how drugs or anger figured in the crime
- Visit homes, work, or school to supervise people
- Arrange treatment for addiction or mental health
- Recommend court action when probation terms are broken
Skills that matter
- Keeping a case folder on each offender
- Regular interviews about rehabilitation progress
- Listening to families and other contacts
- Tracking whether probation terms are met
- Investigating alleged parole violations
- Recommending court action for noncompliance
AI & the future of this role
Risk scoring and case documentation might become more automated, but field visits, court recommendations, and accountability decisions still rely on human judgment and liability. In-person rapport with clients is likely to remain central to rehabilitation work.
Does Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details