Probation officers in Chatham County have an active caseload that covers probationers from Savannah, Chatham County’s largest city, as well as Bloomingdale, Garden City, Pooler, Port Wentworth, and Tybee Island and the surrounding unincorporated areas. Probation officers working in Chatham County had 5,058 active probationers in 2012 to supervise, according to crime data published by The University of Georgia.
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There are times when these probation officers face challenging conditions. The Savannah Morning News reported in a 2010 article that caseloads of the most high-risk convicts assigned to Chatham County probation officers are nearly twice what they are in the rest of the nation.
Minimum Requirements to Become a Probation Officer in Chatham County
A career as a probation officer can be rewarding and make a difference in people’s lives. The minimum education for Chatham County probation officers is two years of college. However, preference is given to candidates who have a Bachelor’s degree in a field such as criminal justice, sociology, or psychology. Also beneficial in the hiring process is at least one year’s experience in areas such as social work, psychology, or law enforcement.
Those interested in becoming a probation officer in Chatham County must meet the following standards:
- Minimum age of 21
- U. S. citizen
- Valid Georgia driver’s license
- No prior felony convictions
- Pass drug testing and background screening
- Knowledge of Georgia laws and regulations
- Achieve and maintain firearms certification
- Achieve Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council certification.
- Possess a Silver level score on the WorkKeys (formerly called Work Ready in Georgia) Assessment ore-screening test
- Pass timed fitness test that includes push-ups, sit-ups and a one mile run
Application Process and the Basic Probation/Parole Officer Training Course (BPPOTC)
Applications for probation officer jobs in Chatham County are only accepted during active recruiting periods. Visit the Georgia Department of Corrections Job Vacancy Summary and select “Probation Officer.” When vacancies for Chatham County are listed, applications can be submitted to the appropriate contact information, which will be included in the posting.
Complete a State of Georgia application for Employment and submit, along with Work Keys certification or COMPASS, ASSET, ACT or SAT test scores, to contact information.
Suitable candidates will be notified of dates and locations for interviews and further screening. Those hired will attend an eight-week Basic Probation/Parole Officer Training Course (BPPOTC).