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Career Profile

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

What they do:

Provide social services to assist in 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.

Also Called:

Adult Probation Officer, Correctional Counselor, Deputy Probation Officer (DPO), Juvenile Probation Officer, Parole Agent, Parole Officer (PO), Probation Agent, Probation and Parole Officer, Probation Counselor, Probation Officer, Adult Probation Officer, Correctional Counselor, Deputy Probation Officer (DPO), Juvenile Probation Officer, Parole Agent, Parole Officer (PO), Probation Agent, Probation and Parole Officer, Probation Counselor, Probation Officer

TX Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$46,020
Starting Salary (2025)
$52,880
Median Salary (2025)
2.6%
Projected Job Growth
8,100
TX Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
Write reports describing offenders' progress.
Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Social
Working with people
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Integrity
Self-Control
Dependability
Stress Tolerance
Attention to Detail
Concern for Others

What key skills are needed for this job?

Social Perceptiveness
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring

Expected Knowledge

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Common Activities

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 4

Considerable Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Bachelor's degree 88%
  • Associate's degree 5%
  • Master's degree 2%
  • Post-secondary certificate 2%
  • Some college 2%
  • Other 1%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Correctional Officers and Jailers
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Rehabilitation Counselors
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.