Probation officers with jobs in Lake County, Illinois are an integral part of the state’s law enforcement community. Since Lake County is the third largest county in the state, probation officers become accountable for literally thousands of offenders, or probationers, each year. Probationary activities are provided by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court’s Division of Adult Probation Services.
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Although many probation officers work in the Standard Probation Unit, there are eight other core units within the Department of Adult Probation Services:
- DUI
- Domestic Violence
- Intensive Probation
- Public Service
- Pretrial
- Presentence Investigation
- Sex Offender
- Surveillance
Annual Probation Facts in Lake County
- there are around 5,500 active and inactive probation cases
- more than 360,000 public service hours are completed by probationers
- probation officers manage approximately 2,600 offenders in pre-trial stages
- crime victims receive 1.5 million in pay-outs by probationers
Probation Officer Eligibility
The 19th Judicial Circuit Court holds high standards for individuals seeking probation officer jobs in Lake County, Illinois. For instance, job applicants must acquire a bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university to be considered for hire. In addition, candidates are required to complete an Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) Application. Jobseekers must also obtain AOIC Certification. Finally, probation officer positions are only available to United States citizens that have established Illinois residency within six months of applying.
Internships for Probation Officers
The Adult Probation Services Division provides an internship program for students that are serious about discovering how to become a probation officer in Lake County through formal training. The internship is only open to scholars that are already enrolled in a related course of study. Applicants with a history of acute psychiatric disorders or criminal behavior may be disqualified. Students that are accepted into the internship program will receive substantial on-the-job training throughout a thirteen week period. All interns must complete forty hours per week or at least 500 cumulative hours of documented training to earn credit.
Probation Officer Trainees in Lake County
Students that intern for the Adult Probation Services Division gain tremendous insight into a typical probation officer career in Lake County, Illinois. By observing, interacting and assisting court-related personnel, offenders and probation officers, trainees learn first-hand how to perform various job responsibilities such as:
- conducting case interviews
- preparing court reports
- participating in home visits
- locating resources for offenders
- contributing to agency staffing
- networking with other departments/agencies
- implementing division policies
Employment of Probation Officers
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) reports that in May 2012, there were 1,600 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists employed in Illinois. On a national level, professionals that work in this occupational category will experience an employment growth of 18% between 2010 and 2020. In Lake County, opportunities may be greater in more heavily populated areas like Waukegan, Vernon and Warren.