Juvenile probation officers working out of the State Superior Court Juvenile Matters and Detention Center in New Haven will have plenty of opportunities to use their specific skills and abilities in a variety of probation programs. After distinguishing themselves in a selective application process and making it through an informative 11-week training program, juvenile probation officers will have their choice among many of New Haven’s programs, including:
Sponsored School(s)
- Family with Service Needs (FWSN): A program designed to help families with juveniles who have crossed certain behavioral or morality lines at home or in school.
- Low Risk: Probation officers conduct interviews and monitor specifically low-risk juvenile offenders.
- Gender Responsive: A program where each juvenile probation officer monitors a caseload of 25 girls who are in the juvenile justice system for specific reasons.
- Early Intervention: Officers with specialized training in early childhood development work with youths aged 12 and under.
- High Risk-Gang Involvement: Officers in this program have specialized training in gangs, firearms, and officer safety.
- Orthodox juvenile probation: Officers monitor a juvenile’s compliance with his or her terms of probation.
Having the Right Education for New Haven Juvenile Probation Officer Jobs
Juvenile probation officers in New Haven need to have some specialized education in order to conduct their job duties effectively. Candidates interested in learning how to become juvenile probation officers should be aware that the Connecticut State Judiciary prefers all applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree as a starting point when submitting an application. Relevant subject areas of study include:
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Sociology
- Social Work
Candidates interested in jobs within specialized departments of the New Haven Juvenile Probation Division should also have additional coursework in fields such as:
- Childhood Development
- Pedagogy
- Addiction, substance abuse, chemical dependency
- Domestic Violence
Juvenile Probation Officer Training and Application
As officers step into their new careers they will be required to complete an in-depth training course totaling 440 hours. This will provide New Haven juvenile probation officers with the fundamental skills they will need to develop their lengthy, fulfilling, and challenging probation careers. After their first year of employment, officers will need to complete an annual training class totaling forty hours. Areas of instruction include:
- Conducting risk assessments and classification for juveniles
- Developing behavior plans that incorporate motivations, goals, and accountability
- Making referrals to community organizations such as:
- Vocational training
- Substance abuse programs
- Mental health counseling
- Financial, housing, and food assistance programs
- Officer safety, self-defense, first aid
- Probation techniques and strategies
Candidates interested in applying for juvenile probation officer jobs in New Haven can begin by browsing the Connecticut Judiciary Branch’s employment openings website where all vacant positions are listed. Instructions on applying are included in the job announcement.