Community Supervision Officers - Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, probation officers:

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.

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.

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.

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.