Snohomish County probation officers are key in the protection of public safety and rehabilitation of offenders. Probation officers will report – and arrest when necessary – offenders when their terms of probation are violated, but will also provide referrals for beneficial community resources, helping offenders become responsible members of society with a classic carrot-and-stick strategy.
This process adds to the overall safety of Everett and surrounding communities, increasing the total number of productive citizens and saving local and state resources by reducing the rate of incarceration.
In May of 2012 there were 510 people working in the probation field in the Everett-Seattle-Bellevue metro area.
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Education for a Career in Snohomish Probation
Probation officers in Everett find jobs through the Snohomish County District Court. Candidates for this position are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field that provides adequate education and training in working with complex human and legal issues. Preferred courses of study are psychology, criminal justice and sociology, and related subject areas such as social work will also satisfy this requirement.
A career as a Snohomish County probation officer requires candidates to:
- Possess a Washington State driver’s license
- Pass a criminal background check and drug test
- Be able to identify the progression and symptoms of chemical dependency
- Be aware of the court rules, statutes, and limits of Washington State Courts
- Have excellent communication skills with a wide variety of people
- Be a positive influence in the rehabilitative process of offenders- this means having the capability to relate well and maintain a positive rapport with different types of people
Required Training for Snohomish County’s Probation Officers
Upon hire, new hires will need to complete the Adult Services Training Academy in order to become Snohomish County probation officers. Snohomish County will make arrangements and provide all necessary information to the newly hired probation officer, who will be trained in:
- Arrest procedures
- Counseling and emotional support techniques for probationer supervision
- Maintenance of detailed case records
- Preparation and presentation of reports using computer software
- Probationer intake, risk assessment, and referral
Within the first six months of employment, probation officers in Everett will receive two weeks of full-time training. If officers choose to carry a gun they must complete an additional 24 hours of training their first year, and 16 hours of training in every succeeding year. An annual in-service training lasting 24 hours is also required after the first year of employment.
How to Apply for Probation Officer Jobs
Candidates must monitor the Snohomish County’s jobs postings to see when vacancies for probation officer jobs are posted; applications are only accepted when there is a opening. To submit an application, candidates will need to create an online account with the Snohomish County’s human resources department. Applicants can fill out a job interest card to receive an email when probation officer vacancies are posted.
Probation Officer Outlook in Everett
Jobs in the probation field are projected to grow 18 percent by the year 2020. The nationwide median annual pay in 2010 was $47,200 and in the Everett-Seattle-Bellevue metropolitan area the average annual wage in 2012 was $55,670.
Probation officers working in Everett and throughout Snohomish County can be satisfied they are helping to keep their municipality running smoothly, which is important for a city that is home to the largest public marina on the U.S.’s West Coast, a Boeing assembly plant, an international shipping port, and the Everett Naval Station.