Juvenile probation officers in Burlington and throughout Chittenden County are part of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), which practices principles of “balanced and restorative justice,” and works closely with the Department of Corrections when juveniles commit crimes.
There were 935 cases of juvenile crime reported in Vermont in 2009, most of which took place in Chittenden County.
The average annual salary of juvenile probation officers in Vermont is $42,000.
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Requirements for Becoming a Juvenile Probation Officer in Chittenden County
A candidate must fill the following requirements in order to be considered for the job of juvenile probation officer in Chittenden County:
- Bachelor’s degree with a major in criminal justice, criminology or a social-science field
- Eight months or more experience in human services with at least six months working with children or youths. The work experience is waived for candidates with a master’s degree in social work.
Duties of a Juvenile Probation Officer in Chittenden County
The top priorities of Chittenden County juvenile probation officers are:
- Case management
- Accountability
- Competency development
- Public safety
When the Court places a youth on probation, the first duty of a probation officer is to develop a case plan, which must be approved by the Court. Chittenden County juvenile probation officers interview the youth, his/her family, school and/or work officials, and friends to establish a picture of the juvenile’s life situation. Many juvenile probation officers utilize the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) to develop a comprehensive plan focused on need, risk and protective factors.
The case plan developed by a juvenile probation officer may include any or all of the following elements:
- Restitution
- Community service
- Special school program (GED classes)
- Mental health counseling
- Substance abuse treatment
- Work
Juvenile Probation Officer Training in Chittenden County, Vermont
All newly hired juvenile probation officers are required to attend 80 hours of training in family-centered practice during their first six months on the job as well as another 40 hours of training to be completed in the first year. All juvenile probation officers have ongoing training throughout their careers.