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Career Insights for Probation Officer / Correctional Treatment Specialist
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Scorecard
Based on West Virginia data
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What they do
A Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist supervises criminal offenders who have been placed on probation as part of a court sentence. Meets with offenders and families, monitors activities, and checks to see that the terms of the probation are being followed. Arranges social services for the offender such as drug rehab or job training; writes reports and recommendations to the court.
$60,664 / year median in West Virginia
+7% projected growth
Job Description
- Conduct assessments with new clients or clients being considered for referral o Biopsychosocial History o Administer the LS/CMI, SASSI, PDSQ, and ADS o Summarize and provide recommendations based on the assessment o Provide the assessment to the court or agency making the referral o Enter or submit the information to be added to the DCJS database
- Facilitate Group Counseling o Substance Abuse Groups o Alcoholism Groups o Anger Management Groups o Recidivism Prevention Groups o Parenting Skills Group o BIPPS Group
- Provide individual counseling
- Write daily progress notes for each group or individual session.
- Work with the director, assistant director, or counselors to change/improve the substance abuse component of the treatment as needed.
- Conduct presentencing assessments and make recommendations to the court on the appropriateness of the program in terms of the client's needs/risks.
- Provide progress reports to referring agencies or courts
- Data entry for the state/grant required database
- Conduct random drug screening of clients Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong working knowledge of the Biopsychosocial concept of addictions
- Training and experience in using cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational Interviewing.
- Good working knowledge of 12 step groups
- Experience working with resistant clients
- Criminal justice experience is helpful but not required.
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge of individual and group counseling techniques
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Judges, attorneys, probation staff, court officials, and the general public
- Ability to work well as part of a team
- Knowledge of employee supervisory techniques