How To Become A Federal Probation Officer
Federal Probation Officer Career STEP BY STEP COMPLETE GUIDE
Federal probation officers are US district courts’ employees who supervise the offenders who have been convicted of committing federal crimes. These probation officers in of much moral importance as they help the habitual offenders leave their habit and become law-abiding citizens.
Who Are Federal Probation Officers & How To Become A Federal Probation Officer?
They are the employees of federal courts and help the courts for fair administration and justice. Provide services to the community by eliminating the habitual offenders.
Supervise offenders who are charged and convicted of the crime. It is not easy to make habitual offenders abide by the law because of reason that they had been into it for so long. For this reason, the federal probation officers have the duty of supervising them. The offenders’ supervision involves monitoring them to notviolate the terms of their probation by getting involved in criminal activities. On the other hand, being a federal probation officer has an aspect of serving the community.
They help the habitual offenders get rid of their habits. If the numbers of habitual offenders reduce, society will have fewer criminals, eventually leading to a peaceful society.
If you plan to become a federal probation officer, you must be glad that you have the right career choice. Being a probation officer, you will not only serve your country but also serve the community.
Interested To Be A Federal Probation Officer? Please Read Our Complete Step By Step Guide How To Become A Federal Probation Officer?
This article will give you knowledge about:
- How To Become A Federal Probation Officer
- Duties of the federal probation officer
- Education requirements for the job of the federal probation officer
- Other Requirements for the job of the federal probation officer
- Salary of the federal probation officer
- Training procedures
- Career opportunities in job job
Federal probation officer Job description
A federal probation officer mostly spends his time with the judges’ lawyers and other court system personnel. The judges take the federal probation officer’s input while giving a verdict on any case, and the judges value this input of the federal probation officers.
The input taken from the federal probation officer includes their opinion about punishing a criminal or giving him a second chance. Since the probation officers have spent the most time with the criminals, they can best judge a criminal’s mindset, and he is worthy enough of giving a second chance the probation officer recommends the court to grant him.
The work environment of a deferral probation officer is mainly within the officer; usually, he spends his time coordinating with the officers from Law enforcement agencies to gather a criminal record. Secondly, he is also responsible for talking to inmates and working on their mindset. Apart from this, the rest of the aspects of the job of federal probation officers are physical.
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Steps For Becoming A Federal Probation Officer
In this section, we will guide you about the steps that you need to take to become a federal probation officer.
There are five steps involved in becoming a federal probation officer
- Earn a degree
- Find job Job as a federal probation officer.
- Pass the physical examination and meet other requirements
- Gain work experience
- Continue your education for promotion into higher ranks.
The same steps are being followed in different states across the United States. For example, if you are searching for becoming a probation officer in Texas, California, or Florida, the same step is being followed.
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Benefits of Becoming a Federal Probation Officer
There are numerous benefits of becoming a federal probation officer. The federal probation office is an independent agency working with the judicial system, but the perks being offered to the probation officers are similar to that of a person in civil services. For example, the probation officers enjoy the health benefit, which means that their health is insured and the government pays for their health expenses. Secondly, the probation officers also enjoy life ensure and retirement benefits. Every probation officer receives a handsome amount of commutation and pension upon retirement.
The probation officers and assistant probation officers are considered law enforcement officers, and their duty is considered hazardous duties. They receive higher salaries as compared to the non-hazardous officers. Under the Federal employee Retirement System (FERS) law, law enforcement officers are eligible for retiring at the age of 50 with 20 years of experience.
The federal probation officers are covered by social security and can participate in a thrift saving plan, a Tax-deferred saving plan.
In addition to this, the federal probation officers have paid leaves of 16-25 days per year depending upon their length of services. Moreover, sick leave is also granted to the federal probation officers for 13 days a year.
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What are the skills needed to become a probation officer?
We have already discussed the duties and tasks of a probation officer. In this section, we will read you through the skills you will need to perform your job duties.
- Critical thinking: Critical thinking will allow you to design the best possible design for the probationers. Moreover, you will also be able to judge the effectiveness of the plans that are already being made for the probationers.
- Communication Skills: Your communication skills will allow you to communicate with the personnel from courts, your subordinates, and probationers effectively. As a result, you will be considered a good probation officer. Secondly, practical communication skills will help to compromise the reports more clearly and efficiently.
- Social Perceptiveness: A probation officer must have a broad social perspective and must be able to understand things with a broader spectrum. If you possess this skill, you will efficiently command the people, and your assessments and evaluations of the probationers will be more accurate.
- Decision making: The skill of decision-making will help you choose the best possible treatment for the probationers. Secondly, with better decision-making power, you will be better positioned to give the court recommendations about the probationers based on their response to the treatment.
- Organization: As a probation officer, you will have to deal with multiple probationers, each having a different rehabilitation plan, so the skill of organization will help you keep track of the rehab plan of every probationer.
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What is the difference between a probation officer and a parole officer?
A probation officer is in direct contact with the probationers. His prime responsibility is to ensure that they complete their probation period during which their rehabilitation into society is ensured. The duties of probation officers revolve around the probation facilities and the probationers.
On the other hand, a parole officer is responsible for dealing with the released people before the sentence is completed. There are certain conditions under which these people are released. The parole officer has to ensure that these requirements are fulfilled once the people are being released. For example, if a drug addict is released on the condition that he will not consume the drugs anymore, the parole officer must ensure that he fulfills his promise.
Federal Probation Officer Academy
The United States probation and the national pretrial academy was established in the year of 2005. The academy is located at FLETC-Charleston. The critical purpose of establishing the academy was to train the probation officers and equip them with the skills they needed. The academy has set standards, and the instructors ensure that everyone who gets training from the academy can perform his duties efficiently.
The academy also provides training to the individuals who are already serving in the probation and pretrial services.
For more information regarding the academy’s training programs, you can contact me at (843) 566-7719.
Us probation officer exam
There is an exam that you have to pass to become a probation officer. Scoring high in the exam increases the chances of your employment as a probation officer. The exam paper for probation officers has different sections. Each section will assess you on different skills required to perform the duties; therefore, you must focus on every minor detail.
For a better idea about the exam, you can go through the previous papers, which will give you a rough idea about the paper pattern. An important point to remember is that every state has different exams, so focus on the past papers from the relevant state.
Duties of the federal probation officer :
- The federal probation officer’s first duty is to help the clients get housing, their entitlement, and employment opportunities. For this purpose, the probation officer has to get in touch with community-based agencies, which can help the officer in getting these opportunities for the clients.
- Rehabilitation is the prime focus to help the clients in recovering. Therefore the officers are asked by the federal courts to ensure that they get proper rehabilitation and appointment. Moreover, the probation officer also has to compel the clients to attend the appointments.
- Some offenders are asked to wear electronic bracelets during their probation period. This is done to keep track of them. The probation officer has to ensure that the offenders meet the requirements. For this purpose, the probation officer has to make visits to the offenders’ homes and workplaces.
- To meet all the people linked with the offender is another duty of the federal probation officer. An offender is directed to meet with the family, employer, and counselor of the offender. The purpose of these meetings to chart the progress of the offender and see if there has been an improvement or not.
- To review all the records of the offender is another duty of the federal probation officer. These records include court records, military records, school records, bank records, and employment records.
- The probation officers then have to report the progress of each offender before the court. For this, he has to prepare a testimony in which all the logs of offenders are included. The detailed testimony includes the number of offenders who have improved and the progress of the improving offenders.
Federal Probation Officer Job Requirements
1
Degree Requirements
The minimum educational requirement for the job is a bachelor’s degree.2
Age Requirement
The applicant must not be older than 37 years of age at the time of submitting the application.3
Excellent Physical Health
The applicant must be in excellent physical health conditions as the job demand stressful and sometimes dangerous work4
No History Of Psychological And Emotional Disorders
The applicant must not have a history of psychological and emotional disorders because it can affect the efficiency of the probation officer5
No Conviction
The applicant must not have felony conviction6
Firearm License
The applicant must be eligible to get firearm license7
Driving License
The applicant must have a valid driving license8
IT Knowledge
The applicant must have proficiency in handling the computers9
Knowledge About the Laws
The applicant must have knowledge about the practices and laws of federal law enforcement agencies
Degree Requirements For The Job :
The minimum educational requirement for a job is a bachelor’s degree that you must have attained from an accredited graduate school by the United States Department.
The prominent accredited graduate schools are
- AT still university of health sciences
- Academy of Chinese culture and health sciences
- Adams state university
- Advance colleges of America
- American graduate university
- American military university
- California maritime academy
- Clark University
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The degree program, which includes the following courses, are preferable:
- Psychology
- Criminal justice
- Counseling
- Social work
However, an aspirant who has a master’s degree and applies for the post is expected to advance the supervisory position. The position is senior and has a high salary and Other privileges. After getting the classes, newly employed probation officers have to go through a certification test. The certification exam will be based on the duties of a probation officer.
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Other Requirements For The Job
There are other physical and mental health conditions that a person needs to have to apply for the job.
These requirements include:
- The applicant must be in excellent physical health conditions as the job demand stressful and sometimes dangerous work. Therefore the physical conditions must be exemplary.
- The applicant must not have a history of psychological and emotional disorders because it can affect the probation officer’s efficiency. Moreover, the applicant must have the ability to deal with multiple personalities. During the job, the officer must deal with people with irruptive, aggressive, and violent personalities.
- The applicant will have to go through various tests he needs to pass to get selected. These tests include written exams, verbal tests, psychological tests, and physical tests.
- The applicant must not have a felony conviction. The term felony conviction means that a person committed a crime that resulted in his land or goods’ confiscation.
- The applicant must be eligible to get a firearm license.
- The applicant must not be older than 37 years of age at the time of applying.
- The applicant must have a valid driving license.
- The applicant must have proficiency in handling the computers because the complete documentation that the probation officer has to do is computerized now.
- The applicant must know the practices and laws of federal law enforcement agencies.
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Federal Probation Officer Salary :
The salaries of federal probation officers vary depending upon the field’s experience, the profile and education that you have, and the area in which you are getting the job. The urban areas tend to offer more salaries as compared to the suburban or rural areas.
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
Federal Probation Officer Salary 10% =$34630
Federal Probation Officer Salary 25% =$41950
Federal Probation Officer Salary 50% =$53020
Federal Probation Officer Salary 75% =$71240
Federal Probation Officer Salary 90% =$94770
Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hourly Wage | $16.65 | $20.17 | $25.49 | $34.25 | $45.56 |
Annual Wage (2) | $34,630 | $41,950 | $53,020 | $71,240 | $94,770 |
The median Federal Probation Officer Salary upon the area in which they are doing the job Job
California $58,230
New Jersey $72.700
Lowa $69,610
New York $66,960
The overall range of annual salary in the United States is $19,500 to $140,500. This makes the annual average salary $51,415.
Top paying States Federal Probation Officer Salary :
State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California | 13,560 | 0.80 | 1.32 | $42.91 | $89,240 |
Rhode Island | 200 | 0.41 | 0.68 | $39.93 | $83,060 |
New Jersey | 2,790 | 0.69 | 1.14 | $35.48 | $73,810 |
New York | 4,770 | 0.51 | 0.84 | $33.99 | $70,690 |
Iowa | 740 | 0.48 | 0.80 | $33.83 | $70,360 |
Source:U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Training of Federal probation officers :
The federal probation officers have to go through a training process after being selected for the job. The training is being conducted at the federal law enforcement training center located in South California.
The training of the federal probation officers constitutes of
- Orientation for the newly selected officers: The newly selected officers are given an orientation of six weeks in which they are taught about dealing with the offenders. During the orientation process, the trainees learn about the safety measures they have to follow for their safety and the offenders’ safety. Besides this, they are being given various tactics which could be helpful for them during their investigations.
- Firearms and safety instructor training: This training enables the officers to serve and firearm and safety instructors in their districts. By going through this training, the probation officers learn about various teaching methods which they can use to instruct in their districts.
There is a research and teaching agency within the federal courts.
The agency prepares a program for the officers, which includes
Seminars and workshops
In-person and online conferences
Satellite TV broadcasts
Leadership and new supervisor programs
Besides this training, every officer takes different training in the courts in which he serves. This training cover different subjects which will help an officer during his tenure.
The main areas which are covered in these training at the courts include:
- Investigations: The officers are exposed to various methods that they have to follow for the investigations
- Report writing: The officers have to make reports about the progress of the offender they are supervising, and the requirements of these reports are different. Therefore the officers are taught about the procedures of writing a report.
- Substance abuse and mental health treatment: The probation officers are taught about the amount that is considered substance abuse. Moreover, they are also taught about different treatments for different levels of abuse. The offenders who have consumed more drugs would require more mental treatment and attention than those who have consumed fewer drugs.
- Firearm and safety: firearms and safety training is an essential aspect of training for probation officers. This would help them operate safely during their tenure.
Career opportunities as a federal probation officer:
As per the bureau of labor statistics, federal probation officers’ growth rate was 18% for the year 2018 and is believed to exceed in the coming years. The reason for this growth is the increased number of offenders in society. The most apparent reason for the increase is the fast flow of drugs from the United States’ porous borders with Mexico. Another primary reason behind the growth rate for federal probation officers’ job jobs is the measures that the court has taken to compensate the offenders.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
Industry | Employment | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 46,330 | 2.13 | $27.52 | $57,240 |
Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 38,460 | 0.70 | $29.86 | $62,110 |
Individual and Family Services | 1,140 | 0.05 | $16.50 | $34,330 |
Facilities Support Services | 950 | 0.61 | $20.85 | $43,360 |
Other Residential Care Facilities | 350 | 0.21 | $21.76 | $45,260 |
Source:U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
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Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 46,330 | 2.13 | $27.52 | $57,240 |
Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 38,460 | 0.70 | $29.86 | $62,110 |
Facilities Support Services | 950 | 0.61 | $20.85 | $43,360 |
Other Residential Care Facilities | 350 | 0.21 | $21.76 | $45,260 |
Individual and Family Services | 1,140 | 0.05 | $16.50 | $34,330 |
Source:U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
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Top paying industries for this occupation:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 38,460 | 0.70 | $29.86 | $62,110 |
State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | 46,330 | 2.13 | $27.52 | $57,240 |
Elementary and Secondary Schools | 80 | $21.85 | $45,440 | |
Other Residential Care Facilities | 350 | 0.21 | $21.76 | $45,260 |
Facilities Support Services | 950 | 0.61 | $20.85 | $43,360 |
Source:U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
If you are planning to become a federal probation officer, you must be glad to hear that jobs’ growth rate is more than any occupation. The increased growth rate indicates that people who are willing to join the field will be lucky in terms of their employment in the first place and promotions they will have during their tenure.
After completing a bachelor’s degree and getting the necessary certifications, you will be hired at the federal courts. During the six-month probation, you will have to go through various types of training. After the successful completion of these six months, you will be promoted to the position of “Deputy probation officer II” Upon the completion of one successful year, another promotion would be waiting for you, and you will become “Deputy probation officer III” at this position you will have to serve for three successful years. During which your reports will be examined along with other professional activities that you have done. It is even possible in the probation officer field to become the regional director and supervise hundreds of the probation officers within the jurisdiction of district courts. All that will be required is to work efficiently and produce actual reports regarding the defenders. After going through the career opportunities that the federal probation officer has, if you or someone from your family plans to opt for the career, he should go for it. Choosing this career will help him/her grow in the field and will eventually.
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