Probation Officer

Probation officer and correctional treatment specialist responsibilities are to discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.

Write reports describing offenders' progress; arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders; prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender; gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information; 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; inform offenders or inmates of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.

Develop and prepare packets containing information about social service agencies, assistance organizations, and programs that might be useful for inmates or offenders; recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole; interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans; administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs; conduct prehearing and presentencing investigations and testify in court regarding offenders' backgrounds and recommended sentences and sentencing conditions; develop rehabilitation programs for assigned offenders or inmates, establishing rules of conduct, goals, and objectives; provide offenders or inmates with assistance in matters concerning detainers, sentences in other jurisdictions, writs, and applications for social assistance; arrange for postrelease services, such as employment, housing, counseling, education, and social activities.

Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school; identify and approve work placements for offenders with community service sentences; participate in decisions about whether cases should go before courts and which court should hear them; investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure; recommend appropriate penitentiary for initial placement of an offender; assess the suitability of penitentiary inmates for release under parole and statutory release programs and submit recommendations to parole boards.

► Tell me about a time you had to make a quick decision.

► Tell me about a difficult experience you had in a clinic or internship and how you overcame it.

► Tell me about a time you had too many things to do and had to prioritize.

► What did you do the last time things didn't go according to plan?

► Tell me about a situation where you failed. Why did you fail and what did you learn from it?

► Tell me about a time you had to work with someone who did things very differently from you.

► Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult client or coworker.

► Describe a situation in which a detail you thought to be unimportant turned out to be very important.

► Tell me about a time you had to persuade a colleague to accept your point of view.

► Tell me about a time you went above and beyond the call of duty.

► Describe a situation where your efforts had a direct impact on the outcome.

► Tell me about an ethical work situation you had to deal with. How did it turn out?

► Tell me about a time when you had to act in a leadership capacity.

► What have you done in the workforce that shows initiative and creativity?

► How would you handle a situation where you and your supervisor disagreed about an issue or course of action?

► Why do you want a career in law enforcement?

► What makes you a suitable candidate to become a probation officer?

► What character qualities are most important to you?

► What is your greatest weaknesses?

► Give me an example of a conflict you were involved with and how you took care of it.

► Tells us about your military experience (if applicable).

► Do you drink alcohol?

► Do you smoke?

► Have you used any kind of illicit drugs?

► Do you have any kind of medical condition that we should know about?

► How many driving record?

► What are your goals?

► Tell me why you are honorable.

► Do you work well with people? Give me an example.

► Do you consider yourself a leader? Give me an example of a time you exemplified good leadership.

► If we offered you a job when would you be able to start?