Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

• Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
• Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole.
• Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
• Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.
• Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
• Conduct prehearing and presentencing investigations and testify in court regarding offenders' backgrounds and recommended sentences and sentencing conditions.
• Write reports describing offenders' progress.
• Inform offenders or inmates of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.
• Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.
• Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
• Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
• Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
• Arrange for postrelease services, such as employment, housing, counseling, education, and social activities.
• Develop rehabilitation programs for assigned offenders or inmates, establishing rules of conduct, goals, and objectives.
• Develop and prepare packets containing information about social service agencies, assistance organizations, and programs that might be useful for inmates or offenders.
• Provide offenders or inmates with assistance in matters concerning detainers, sentences in other jurisdictions, writs, and applications for social assistance.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.

• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.