Juvenile probation officers in Kootenai County work with youths that have been accused of a crime, providing assessments to the courts. They examine the degree of risk that the youths pose to the society and what services would benefit the juveniles. Juvenile probation officers also supervise youths that are habitual offenders or who have committed serious crimes, causing them to have been placed on probation.
Sponsored School(s)
Competitive candidates for juvenile probation officer jobs in Kootenai County hold bachelor’s degrees in fields related to law, public administration, psychology, or other areas of behavior science.
POST Training to Become a Juvenile Probation Officer in Kootenai County
Juvenile probation officers must be certified by the state before they can start their jobs. The certification process of basic training involves eighty hours at the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Juvenile Probation Academy.
Once the new officers have graduated from the academy, they must pass a certification examination that is specific to the juvenile probation field. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 75%. Two attempts are allowed.
On the Job Training to Become a Juvenile Probation Officer in Kootenai County
After the academy graduates have received their certification, they learn how to become juvenile probation officers in Kootenai County through on the job training under Field Training Officers. This forty hours of training starts with a facility orientation and includes the following topics:
- Case management
- Court procedures and protocol
- Liability and legal issues
- Written skills
The trainees are assessed weekly on their application of the techniques they have learned. They are also assessed in the following areas:
- Loyalty and cooperation
- Appearance
- Public contact
- Interest and attitude
- Judgment
Continued Career Training for Juvenile Probation Officers in Kootenai County
Juvenile probation officers in Kootenai County work for the First District Court of Idaho. This judicial district also encompasses Bonner, Shoshone, Benewah, and Boundary Counties.
To continue their careers as juvenile probation officers, at least 20 hours of course work or training a year is required in the following areas:
- Balanced approach
- Case supervision
- Gender specific
- Populations with different risk levels
- Probation officer safety
- Report writing
- Status offender supervision
- Statutes and rules of the county and state
- The Idaho Juvenile Corrections Act