The Strong Interest Inventory® uses individuals’ personal interests and workplace preferences to help them find careers that they will enjoy and that utilize their skills. It works by analyzing individuals’ responses to a series of questions, and then directing them to one to three of six Theme Code Categories, each of which contains a different set of careers. As such, The Strong Interest Inventory® provides a valuable starting point for individuals choosing a career or considering a change.

Being a Probation Officer is considered a Social Career because it involves working closely with others. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists provide social services that help rehabilitate law offenders who are in custody, on probation, or on parole. Probation Officers have many different responsibilities. For instance, they might interview probationers or parolees regularly to evaluate their progress, recommend remedial action in response to noncompliance, administer drug and alcohol tests and discuss with offenders how issues such as drug and alcohol abuse might have contributed to their criminal behavior. Probation Officers may also be involved in court proceedings. For instance, they might prepare and maintain case folders for each assigned offender, conduct prehearing or pre-sentencing investigations, write reports, or otherwise facilitate the legal process. In addition, Probation Officers may provide a range of counseling services. For example, they might develop rehabilitation programs for assigned offenders or inmates, develop and prepare information packets about social service agencies or other assistance organizations, and identify and approve work placements for offenders.

Probation Officers use a number of different technologies to complete these tasks, including case management software, speech recognition software, appointment scheduling software, and Microsoft Office Suite. They may also need to use e-mail or programs to communicate with their clients, peers, and supervisors. The specific tools and programs used may vary from district to district in different parts of the country. However, if you are interested in this career, being generally proficient with a computer will be important.

Most Probation Officers have a background in law and government, as well as public safety and security. Depending on their education level, they may also have a foundational understanding of psychology, counseling, and customer service. The vast majority of Probation Officers (over 85%) hold a Bachelor’s Degree. They should also be able to critically think, quickly solve problems and make decisions, and have a fair degree of physical fitness, including agility and dexterity. Furthermore, Probation Officers need to be able to communicate comfortably in English and in other languages commonly spoken. Being able to clearly, precisely, and concisely express themselves is very important, and can make a difference for them as well as for their clients.

Probation Officers’ salary can vary widely in different parts of the country, though the median income is $24.71 hourly ($51,410 annually). In certain states, such as California, the median annual income is over $85,000. In others, such as Florida, the median annual income is just $35,000. This career is very common (over 90,000 employed nationwide) and is expected to grow by 5% to 9% in the next several years.

Below are some employment trends for Probation Officers:

• Median Salary: $21.71 hourly; $51,410 annually
• Employment: 91,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026): Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026): 8,300

[Information retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2016-2026 employment projections]

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Gain access to your best-fit careers, occupational preferences and interests with these career based Strong Interest Inventory® Assessments:

 

Explore our Strong Interest Inventory® Blog Pages:

• Strong Interest Inventory Realistic Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Artistic Theme Explained
• Strong Interest Inventory Investigative Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Social Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Enterprising Theme Explained 
• Strong Interest Inventory Conventional Theme Explained 

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References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org