|
The Department of Corrections Application
Process for Probation Officers
The Department of Corrections and the County Probation system now
have minimum standards you need to meet to be hired as a probation
officer. They include a degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice,
Criminology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Psychology, Social
Work or Sociology. You must have completed a 440 hour internship as
a probation officer or a corrections security case worker, or
completed 400 hours of volunteer experience in a probation
department or as a corrections security caseworker or two years
supervising offenders in a correctional environment. Other
qualifications that are recommended include: ability to document and
maintain case records, the ability to work with a diverse population
of offenders, oral and written communication skills sufficient to
speak in public, testify in court and write clear and concise
reports. You also need the ability to make case decisions, set
priorities and schedule time effectively. Remember, these are
minimum requirements. Most college graduates should already meet
these requirements and students who volunteer or work in a
correctional location will end up with the interviews.
If you want to work in a State probation agency, you need to go to
the Department of Employee Relations website at:
http://www.doc.state.mn.us/employment/howtoapply.htm. In this
site you will build your resume and click on locations and/or
counties you would like to work in. As openings occur, you will be
notified. Be very descriptive on the type of work you have done.
Your word choices could make the difference between being selected
for an interview. You remain on this list for one year and then you
will need to reapply.
The county system will require that you meet the minimum
standards in order to be hired. Community Corrections Act counties
will have their own list and/or testing requirements. Your best bet
is to contact the county you would like to work in and find out
their requirements. County and DOC agencies pay nearly the same
salary, CCA counties will pay lower in outstate and higher in the
metro.
More detailed information on how to get a job in corrections can be
found at:
http://www.macpo.org/findajob.php
|
