Community Supervision Officers


Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security > Community Supervision Officers > Working Conditions
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Community Supervision Officers

Community Supervision Officers - Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, probation officers:

Interpersonal Relationships

  • Are placed in conflict situations with angry or discourteous offenders on a daily basis.
  • Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with offenders, attorneys, judges, and parole boards.
  • Deal with physically aggressive or violent offenders frequently.
  • Are indirectly responsible for the public's safety. They are responsible for preventing their clients from committing future crimes.
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  • Are somewhat responsible for the work outcomes of coworkers.
  • Communicate with clients and coworkers daily by telephone, in person, or over email.
  • Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
  • Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical Work Conditions

  • Almost always work indoors, but sometimes work outdoors to visit or monitor clients.
  • Are often exposed to diseases and infections. They may supervise clients who are ill.
  • Almost always use a vehicle to visit or monitor clients.
  • Sometimes are exposed to contaminants such as dust.
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  • Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.

Work Performance

  • Must be very exact in performing the job. Errors could endanger public safety.
  • Repeat the same tasks each day, such as visiting clients.
  • Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact clients. They can make most decisions without consulting with a supervisor.
  • Must meet strict deadlines on a daily basis.
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  • Are usually able to set most tasks for the day without talking to a supervisor. This is because they do many of the same tasks with each client.
  • Work in a moderately competitive atmosphere.

Hours/Travel

  • Usually work a regular 40-hour week.
  • May be on-call 24 hours a day.
  • May travel to visit clients. The amount of travel and field work depends on the assignment and the work location.
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.