Deputy Probation Officers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of deputy probation officers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for deputy probation officers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of deputy probation officers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for deputy probation officers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Deputy Probation Officers?
Do deputy probation officers need a degree? What kind of experience do deputy probation officers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for deputy probation officers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Deputy Probation Officers
Jobs Postings for Deputy Probation Officers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 5,833 (58%)
- No Education Listed: 1,659 (17%)
- High School or GED: 1,561 (16%)
- Master's degree: 748 (7%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 186 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of deputy probation officers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 58% of positions. In 17% of job listings no education level was listed and in 16% of postings a High School diploma or GED was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Deputy Probation Officers
Jobs Postings for Deputy Probation Officers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 911 (26%)
- 2-3 Years: 1,492 (43%)
- 4-6 Years: 822 (24%)
- 7-9 Years: 38 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 197 (6%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for deputy probation officers. In 43% of job postings for Deputy Probation Officers, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 26% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 24% of job postings for deputy probation officers.
What Kind of Degree Do Deputy Probation Officers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for deputy probation officers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 5 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective deputy probation officers, and in 2021 a total of 118,236 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective deputy probation officers.
Top Degree Programs for Deputy Probation Officers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Deputy Probation Officers (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Social Work. | 56,801 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. | 46,381 |
| Criminology. | 10,904 |
| Corrections. | 4,039 |
| Juvenile Corrections. | 111 |
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Degree Options for Deputy Probation Officers
Maintain social order and earn credentials for a leadership role in police, corrections, security, or court administration.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Acquire specialized knowledge while developing a holistic view of the criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 6
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Tackle critical issues facing individuals and communities with advanced leadership and management skills ideally suited for a complex criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Deputy Probation Officers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by deputy probation officers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for deputy probation officers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Deputy Probation Officers
Based on 8,459 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Deputy Probation Officers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Probation | 5,778 | 68% |
| Social Work | 3,361 | 40% |
| Criminal Corrections | 2,767 | 33% |
| Case Management | 2,726 | 32% |
| Psychology | 2,594 | 31% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Deputy Probation Officers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation | 3,454 | 41% |
| Communications | 2,926 | 35% |
| Management | 2,711 | 32% |
| Writing | 1,610 | 19% |
| Report Writing | 1,488 | 18% |
Based on 8,459 job postings related to deputy probation officers, probation was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 68% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for social work, criminal corrections, case management, psychology and law enforcement were also highly sought.
As for common skills, investigation was the most desired skill found in job postings for deputy probation officers, followed by communications, management, writing, report writing and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Probation | 5,778 | 68% |
| Social Work | 3,361 | 40% |
| Criminal Corrections | 2,767 | 33% |
| Case Management | 2,726 | 32% |
| Psychology | 2,594 | 31% |
| Law Enforcement | 2,035 | 24% |
| Sociology | 1,948 | 23% |
| Legal Hearings | 1,791 | 21% |
| Human Services | 1,659 | 20% |
| Mental Health | 1,549 | 18% |
| Evidence-Based Practice | 1,446 | 17% |
| Substance Abuse | 1,372 | 16% |
| Risk Analysis | 1,292 | 15% |
| Data Analysis | 1,102 | 13% |
| Juvenile Justice | 1,089 | 13% |
| Criminology | 1,074 | 13% |
| Behavioral Science | 828 | 10% |
| Crisis Intervention | 785 | 9% |
| Social Sciences | 727 | 9% |
| Rehabilitation | 674 | 8% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation | 3,454 | 41% |
| Communications | 2,926 | 35% |
| Management | 2,711 | 32% |
| Writing | 1,610 | 19% |
| Report Writing | 1,488 | 18% |
| Planning | 1,359 | 16% |
| Information Gathering | 1,247 | 15% |
| Operations | 1,140 | 13% |
| Multilingualism | 1,133 | 13% |
| Coordinating | 932 | 11% |
| Microsoft Office | 879 | 10% |
| Microsoft Excel | 844 | 10% |
| Problem Solving | 793 | 9% |
| Leadership | 754 | 9% |
| Microsoft Outlook | 702 | 8% |
| Accountability | 657 | 8% |
| Time Management | 654 | 8% |
| Research | 586 | 7% |
| Customer Service | 545 | 6% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 544 | 6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about deputy probation officers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for deputy probation officers.
What do deputy probation officers do?
How much do deputy probation officers make?
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