Occupation

Probation officer

Supervises people serving sentences in the community, balancing enforcement of conditions against practical help to stop reoffending. The job is part case management, part report writing, and part difficult conversation.

Also known as: Community corrections officer · Probation services officer

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Occupation content

Part of Law, compliance and justice

A visual day in the work

What the work involves

  1. Assess risk and needs when a person is placed under supervision

  2. Set and review a supervision plan together with the person

  3. Meet clients in office, home, or community settings to check compliance

  4. Refer people to counselling, treatment, housing, and employment programs

  5. Write reports for courts and releasing authorities on progress and breaches

  6. Record contacts and decisions in the case management system

Entry-route stepper

How people commonly enter

  1. Bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice, social work, or psychology

  2. College diploma in community justice followed by recruitment into a corrections agency

  3. Structured agency training program undertaken after hiring

Typical training: Bachelor's degree

Licensing: Not typically licensed

Pathways: Common in public service

Work-context map

Typical work context

  • Public facing
  • Varied work
  • High responsibility
  • Client sites
  • Involves travel

Public facing · Varied work · High responsibility · Client sites · Involves travel

Related interests

  • Social (helping)
  • Enterprising (leading)
  • Investigative (analytical)

Social (helping) · Enterprising (leading) · Investigative (analytical)

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