Examples of Essential Duties
Please review the examples of essential duties and the related minimum requirements for this position before registering for this Probation Officer Examination.
A Probation Officer works with offenders/litigants in a variety of case types: criminal, delinquent, civil, guardianships, and family-related matters such as divorce, and child custody/visitation. Probation Officers use a skill set that enables them to develop a positive and collaborative working relationship with probationers/litigants in assisting them to change their behaviors and negotiate contested family matters.
A Probation Officer thoroughly investigates offender personal history, background and environment, reports findings to the court, and is prepared to make appropriate recommendations on dispositions. A Probation Officer utilizes a variety of tools to complete initial and on-going assessments of offenders placed under supervision, refers probationers to social resources in the community for assistance in rehabilitation, enforces court orders; and makes appropriate recommendations throughout violation of probation proceedings and modification of court orders.
A Probation Officer performs community supervision during or after hours as necessary, including visiting the homes of probationers and their places of employment to ensure compliance with the terms of probation, visiting with victims to collect information and to keep them informed, and visiting police departments, schools or custodial settings depending on the type of case supervised. A Probation Officer also enrolls offenders/litigants to Electronic Monitoring, including installation of equipment, in accordance with court orders; administers alcohol breath testing; and conducts substance use testing, in accordance with Trial Court Substance Use Protocols. The conducting of substance use testing includes both observation of the collection of the specimen as well as the reading and interpreting of the test results. A Probation Officer also utilizes a variety of computer-based software/programs to maintain accurate case notes, chronological listing of information, and contact with probationers/litigants.
Working Conditions
Probation Officers work in courthouses, other court facilities, in the field, and may be alone at times with probationers; may work varied shifts; interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress; must stand and walk for prolonged periods of time; and must be able to regularly travel within the Commonwealth for training and for job-related purposes. Job related travel incudes traveling to probationers’ homes to visually inspect the home for drugs, contraband, weapons, and other items that may violate terms of probation. Probation Officers must be able to verify the identity of probationers and testify in court proceedings about their first-hand observations, including their observations during home visits.
Minimum Requirements
There are no minimum education or job requirements to take the exam. However, individuals must pass the exam and meet the following minimum job requirements to be considered for appointment as a Probation Officer at the time of application.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required; a concentration in human services, behavioral sciences, or criminal justice is preferred. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of work experience in human services, criminal justice, or 2 years working as an Associate Probation Officer.
Please Note: A graduate degree in the behavioral sciences, education, administration, management, law, or criminal justice may be substituted for the above experience, if the candidate also possesses a bachelor’s degree in accordance with the education requirement.
Passing the Probation Officer Examination alone does not guarantee that a candidate will receive an interview. Persons who apply to a Probation Officer job posting after passing this examination must also meet the minimum requirements for this job at the time of application to be considered for appointment. Job applicants should be aware that due to the anticipated large volume of highly qualified applicants, candidates selected for an interview typically exceed the minimum requirements. Visit https://www.mass.gov/jobs-with-the-court-system to learn more about the Probation Officer role and view current job postings.
Employment as a Probation Officer is contingent upon passage of a criminal background check and completion of orientation training.
Other Requirements After Passing the Examination and Prior to an Appointment
Massachusetts Residency Requirement: Pursuant to Chapter 478, sec. 328 of the Acts of 1978, no person who is not a resident of the Commonwealth shall serve as an officer in or an employee of the Judicial Branch; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to those persons serving as officers in or employees of the Judicial Branch prior to the effective date of Chapter 478, sec. 328.
Training: Candidates must satisfactorily complete the Probation Officer Orientation training and are subject to a probationary period.
Criminal Background Check: Interviewed candidates selected for appointment will be required to complete the Consent to Criminal Record Check Form. Trial Court Policy (Section 4.100) may prohibit the employment of individuals with a misdemeanor conviction resulting in incarceration if the end date of such incarceration is within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application of employment or a felony conviction. A CORI check involving other offenses will not automatically disqualify the final candidate(s). Determinations of suitability based on CORI checks will be made consistent with this policy and any applicable law or regulations.
Finger Printing: In compliance with 28 C.F.R, the FBI CJIS Security Policy, and the MA CJIS User Agreement regarding access to confidential information, final candidate(s) will be required to undergo fingerprint-based background checks prior to initial hire and at least once every five years thereafter.
Employment Eligibility and Verification Form (I-9): Pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, after an offer of employment is made, selected candidates for appointment are required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) and submit specific document(s) that establish identity and verify the right to work in the United States.
