Collin County, which includes portions of the Dallas and Fort Worth metropolitan areas, supervises its adult probationers through Collins County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. Probation officers supervised 4,800 offenders in 2011. Among all probationers, 2,420 were under supervision for misdemeanor crimes, while 2,380 were under supervision for felony offenses. The cost to Collin County per day for all probation supervision was $6,624.
Sponsored School(s)
Requirements for Probation Officer Jobs in Collin County, Texas
Candidates must meet the following requirements to qualify for Collin County probation officer jobs:
- U.S. citizenship or alien with work permit
- Possession of a bachelor’s degree, preferably in one of the following fields
- Social work
- Psychology
- Cultural anthropology
- Business management
- Education
- Corrections
- Criminology
- Possession of a valid Texas driver’s license
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills
- Willingness to work in a 24 hour facility
- Ability to pass a background check
- At least one year of professional experience in
- Counseling; or
- Community supervision; or
- Social welfare; or
- Corrections
The one year of professional experience requirement may be satisfied by a graduate degree in a related field for graduate students interested in becoming a probation officer in Collin County.
New officers must obtain Probation Officer Certification with six months of hiring. The certification program requires demonstrated proficiency in CPR, first aid and restraint of violent individuals.
Additional training may be provided by the Collin County Community Supervision and Corrections Department through a training academy or through in-service training. Probation officers must receive 80 hours of additional training every two years for the first four years of service, followed by 40 hours of training every two years thereafter.
Sheriff’s Convicted Offender Re-Entry Effort (S.C.O.R.E.)
The purpose of the Community Supervision and Corrections Department is to rehabilitate offenders, improve public safety and reduce criminal activity in the community. One of its most effective tools is the Sheriff’s Convicted Offender Re-Entry Effort or S.C.O.R.E. which is an intermediate sanction facility. Only offenders who have committed non-violent and non-sexual offenses may enroll in S.C.O.R.E. Offenders in S.C.O.R.E. may participate in several programs at the facility including
- Chemical dependency education
- GED classes
- Occupational counseling
- Women’s process group
- Parenting
- Corrective thinking
The Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility is an intensive community program that is six to nine months in length. Phase I of this program involves assessment and introduction to the therapeutic resources in the community. Phase II includes cognitive re-education, skills training, family dynamics, peer support, and lifestyle management. Re-entry is the focus of Phase III which seeks to develop social skills and instill appropriate responses to triggers.
Community Supervision in Collin County
Probation officers in Collin County also supervise offenders who have been sentenced to community supervision. Probation officers partner with code enforcement officers to supervise Departmental Group Projects that may include:
- Mowing lawns
- Trimming trees and brush
- Building demolition
- Grounds and facilities maintenance for the elderly or physically challenged
- Tending cemeteries
Other community service projects include trash pickup and recycling programs which are sponsored by cities within Collin County.