Probation officers supervise offenders via personal contact, recommend sentences

March 28, 2010

Probation officers supervise offenders via personal contact, recommend sentences

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Outlook: Employment of probation officers is expected to increase 19 percent over the 2008-18 decade, faster than the average for all occupations.

Pay: The 1,430 probation officers in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area earned a median wage of $48,370 in 2008.

The job: Probation officers need excellent interpersonal skills to supervise offenders on probation through personal contact with the offenders and their families. They also spend much of their time working for the courts and investigate the backgrounds of the accused, write presentence reports and recommend sentences. They often work in high-crime areas with offenders who may be dangerous.

Training/licensing: A bachelor’s degree related to social work, psychology or criminal justice is usually required.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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