Getting started as a Probation Officer

[cleggy]

Hello all - I've been browsing for a while, and wanted to thank you for all the useful information so far. I am very interested in a career as a probation officer, specifically as a juvenile probation officer. I am looking for advice as to the best place to get started. I will admit that I do not have a college degree, but the one or two job postings I have seen online do not require a college degree. I realize that my starting salary may be much lower because of that, but that's the least of my concerns. I am just looking for some direction or example. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

[MJ-1]

cleggy,

First off, I would highly reccommend getting your BA degree. Every probation job I have heard of requires at least a BA degree and most require some experience. Again, get your degree, because the competition is fierce for jobs and especially law enforcement jobs.

[badger]

You should get your B.A. In NJ they have probation investigators,
but it pays bad and they work within the child support unit. They get people to pay child support. Child support is under probation in NJ. If you don't have the degree you will not get ahead. I hated school and almost dropped out once to be a police officer once, but decided to stay in and graduate. The P.O. job took me three years to get and I have been there 7yrs. The pay is good and the co-workers are good. Good luck.

[MJ-1]

badger,

What state are you a PO in? Here in Texas the pay for PO's sucks, but I still love the job and the perks.

[badger]

MJ-1 I work in NJ. Badger. They start here at 32,000. I make almost 45,000.

[MJ-1]

Badger,

Man, that sounds like Heaven. I have been an Adult Felony PO here in Texas for about 2 and a half years. everybody started out at $24,500, then we all got jumped up to $27,500 when the new incoming salary was raised to $27,500. How much am I making after 2 years on the job you ask? Well it is still an AMAZING $27,500. Basically, the only pay raise we get down in my county is about a $4000 raise after 4 years. Most officers that stick around and have been here for 10 years or over are only making around $32,000-$35,000. Most, if they are single try to get second jobs to make ends meet.

Again, my rant is over and I still love the job, but the pay does suck down here for being in one of the largest counties in Texas.

[badger]

MJ-1. We only started making decent money a few years ago. In 1995 I statrted at 23,500. at the time I was a casino dealer making like 27,000. I wanted the job so I took the pay cut. Our new contract topps us out at like 70,000. not bad. Our parole makes awesome money though. They start at like 38,000 and after one year jump to 50,000. I should have went when I had the chance. This is cool though.

[whitey1892]

Badger, what steps would you have to take in NJ to get into parole?

[whitey1892]

Badger, what steps would you have to take in NJ to get into parole?

[badger]

Whitey, you need a 4yr degree or a 2yr degree and probation experience. The majority of people who go there were probation officers. They attend an 8 wk academy that your 80 year old grandmother could pass. It's a joke from friends I had at probation told me. I know for a fact that three people who went through were so over weight they could not walk the stairs let alone run. However, I also know some people there that I did field work with at probation that I am sure are excellent to work with there. The money is great and they are in the same retirement as the town/county police. They have a list in effect that they are hiring off of, but in another year they should give a new test. Good luck.