"The goal of my job is to protect society while caring for and making sure individuals are accountable. But I really see my job as a mixture of a lot of jobs combined. Sometimes I act as a counselor or social worker, combined with police work, court appearances, and other meetings. The diversity of the job keeps it interesting, and it's rewarding to see people change and overcome obstacles in their lives!

There can be days when it's a little draining, but overall, I like what I do. I think being a probation officer is very valuable to society and it can be very beneficial to the people we serve."

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Job Description

SOC Code: 21-1092

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists provide social services to assist in the rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Counsel clients or patients
• Recommend legal actions
• Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
• Write reports or evaluations
• Administer drug screening tests

General Work Activities:

• Mental Processes
  • Plan programs to address community mental wellness needs
  • Evaluate characteristics of individuals to determine needs or eligibility
• Interacting With Others
  • Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues
  • Visit individuals in their homes to provide support or information
  • Arrange physical or mental health services for clients
• Information Input
  • Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress
  • Monitor health or behavior of people or animals
  • Investigate legal issues
• Work Output
  • Maintain client information or service records

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

*All data is factual, but names, images, and quotations have been adapted to protect the identity of employees and businesses.

Job Statistics

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

 

 

• Upper Savannah
• Trident
• Upstate
• Midlands

 

 

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

 

• Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
• Allied Universal

 

 

 

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Correctional Officers and Jailers
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Mental Health Counselors
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

 

 

 

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2024

Learn More With SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.