Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is a Probation Officer?
- Probation and parole are systems in the criminal system. Juvenile Justice has probation services that typically are distinctly different from the 'adult' system.
In Pennsylvania, Probation is a County function and there are 67 counties. So, there are that many variations on how probation services are designed. We do a wide range of jobs some of which are 'police like', some of which are like the minor judiciary, some of which are like counselors and therapists, and some are like corrections personnel.
- How large are caseloads?
- Caseloads can vary by the type of supervision required. Caseload sizes typically vary from a full caseload being 100 cases to 7 cases. It depends on the type of services needed.
- How often are cases seen?
- Frequency varies depending on the needs of the case. "Paper" cases require no regular contacts. Intensive cases require approximately 4 contacts per week.
- Are Probation Officers allowed to carry weapons?
- This is a county decision. Some probation departments allow no weapons to be carried, in some places intermediate weapons such as baton and mace are carried, and in other locales firearms are carried.
- How much are Probation Office salaries?
- Salaries and benefits vary widely. They are determined at the county level.
- How do I get a job as a Juvenile Probation Officer?
- The field of Juvenile Justice varies widely from state to state. Educational requirements, salary, branch of government, job duties, etc. can be very different from place to place. If you are interested in Juvenile Probation in a state other than Pennsylvania, you will need to contact someone in that state for more information.
Juvenile Probation in Pennsylvania is a county level function, so each county is going to have slightly different approach to the job. However, the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission oversees the operation and sets standards. You may want to look over their site at: http://www.jcjc.state.pa.us/
To apply for a juvenile probation position in Pennsylvania, you will need to send resumes to the individual counties in which you are interested. You might also want to submit resumes to private placement programs. They also will need staff on a regular basis. A lot of POs have started in the 'privates' and then moved into probation positions.
It may be beneficial to contact probations department(s) near you and ask about openings in their departments. You may also want to ask about what private programs (and detention centers) are close that you could contact.
- What are the Educational Requirements for being a Probation Officer?
- A juvenile probation officer in Pennsylvania needs to have a bachelor's degree in a social science. Criminal justice, criminology, etc. majors are helpful. Each county is likely to have a slightly different approach to deciding whom to hire.
Your local probation department should be able to tell you what degree program will best prepare you for their setting. It could be Criminology or Criminal Justice or Social Work, or Administration of Justice, or they may not feel that one degree is better than another.
- I have this friend . . .
- This site is not the appropriate place for discussing specific persons or the situations in which the Juvenile Court must be involved. The decisions made in a juvenile court case are a blend of legal requirements, social considerations, discretion of several different offices, and information of varying degrees of creditability. To attempt to 'Monday morning quarterback' such a complex array of possibilities would be highly speculative and inaccurate.
