Parole Officer

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Work Tasks

• Counsel people about the legal conditions of their parole
• Help people get used to life and work in the community to prevent them from committing other crimes
• Contact clients by phone, office visits, or home visits on a regular basis
• Let the court know if their clients are breaking the rules made for their release
• Work in courtrooms, prisons, offices, and in the community for the government and correctional facilities
• Work with client records, release plans, evaluation reports, and contacts with educational, social service, and community agencies

Salary, Size & Growth

• $52,500 average per year ($25.25 per hour)
• A medium occupation (89,900 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.9% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in social work (BSW), criminal justice, psychology, or a related field
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or a related field
• Skills/Courses: Skills include experience in pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigation, substance abuse treatment, social work, or counseling.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification and licensing are available.