How to Become A Juvenile Probation Officer

Juvenile crime is a growing problem in our society nowadays. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate for juvenile violent crime arrest in 2011 was 99.7 arrests per 100,000. Technology, awareness, information, and media are a few factors that have contributed to this crime rate. In order to curb this growing problem, the federal government has taken specific steps to effectively counter it.  

To bring juvenile crime under control, the criminal justice system in our country has established a set of rules that apply to minors arrested for deviant behavior and criminal acts. It is important to remember that adults and juveniles cannot be treated equally due to difference in psychological development and lack of understanding. The criminal justice system aims at rehabilitating and correcting juveniles instead of handing down harsh penalties.

This is where the job of a juvenile probation officer comes in, to help supervise and treat juvenile offenders. Juvenile probation officers are skilled experts who evaluate young offenders, prepare treatment plans for them, and assess their progress.

Requirements to Become a Juvenile Probation Officer

Similar to the requirements of becoming a probation officer, juvenile probation officers must also undergo the same training and educational programs. If this is the job you want to pursue and help young offenders released from prison, you need to be well aware of the probation officer requirements that exist in your state. Generally, you will be required to possess a high school diploma and an undergraduate college degree.

You can opt for academic fields such as criminal justice, criminology, or business administration. In a criminal justice degree, you will spend a great deal of time learning about the US criminal justice system, its various components, and procedures. This can help you further in your career and training.

Training Requirements

To prepare for this career, you will need to enroll in a training program being offered by an accredited facility. The program will equip you with the skills required for this career and in-depth knowledge of corrections. In the program, you will be required to pick an area for specialization. This training is the key route to learning about the career and understanding what juvenile probation is all about. Once the training is complete, you can acquire a certification in this specialization area and work as a trainee. Having at least a year of probationary training is required in most states. During this phase, most of the training is on-the-job. You will work on a number of cases under the supervision of senior probation officers.

Salary of Juvenile Probation Officer

After becoming a juvenile probation officer, you will be required to carry out a number of tasks. These include:

• Evaluating Juvenile Offenders and Preparing Reports
• Arranging Treatment Plans
• Counseling Juvenile Offenders
• Evaluating Progress of Treatment Plans
• Arranging Resources to Aid in Rehabilitation

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income level of juvenile probation officers is $47,200. This field is expected to grow at a faster than average rate in the coming years.