Helping juvenile offenders reintegrate themselves into the community as productive members of society, juvenile probation officers in Indiana are the backbone of the juvenile rehabilitation process. Officers show juvenile offenders how to become responsible young citizens who are the future of the country.
Recent trends put the number of juvenile arrests each year across the State of Indiana at around 34,000. The most common infractions for arrest were:
- Larceny theft: 15%
- Runaway: 11%
- Alcohol violations: 9%
- Disorderly conduct: 8%
- Drug abuse: 7%
- Assault (non-aggravated) 7%
Education and Training for Juvenile Probation Officer Careers in Indiana
The State of Indiana requires applicants for juvenile probation officers to have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Any field of study is acceptable, including psychology, criminal justice, and social work. Training will be provided to selected applicants, and no previous experience is required. However, preference may be shown to candidates who are military veterans, are bilingual, who have previous experience working with vulnerable youth, or who have worked previously in corrections.
Jobs for juvenile court officers in Indiana also require candidates to be able to meet the following minimum conditions statewide:
- At least 21 years old
- Citizen of the United States
- Of good moral character
- Willing to perform the job duties of:
- Notify the court of juvenile probation violations
- Assist law enforcement officials and prosecuting attorneys
- Supervise juvenile offenders based on probation conditions
How to Apply for Juvenile Probation Officer jobs in Indiana
Applicants interested in applying for juvenile probation jobs and careers should contact the state judicial court district where they would like to apply. Each district or county office may have additional specific requirements applicants must meet, and all applicants must take and pass the Probation Officer Certification Examination. Candidates for the exam can fill out an application form to be sent to the Judicial Center of Indiana in Indianapolis, along with a $50.00 fee and official, sealed college transcripts sent from the candidate’s institution of education directly to the Judicial Center.
The certification exam takes two hours and is offered on the first Thursday of each month. A passing score of 70% is required and the exam covers the subjects of:
- Juvenile law
- Criminal sentencing
- General probation
- Juvenile and criminal law terminology
- Basic knowledge of the criminal justice system
Questions will be based on Indiana State Code titles 11, 31, and 35.
Indiana’s New Hire Training for Juvenile Probation Officers
Once hired, juvenile probation officers will attend a four-day orientation and training program and receive on-the-job training during their first year of employment. Succeeding years require officers to have a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education annually. Training will be provided in:
- Pre-dispositional and pre-adjudication reports and investigations
- Non-criminal alternative sentences and terms of probation
- Accurate record keeping and report writing
- Proper collection of funds from juvenile offenders and dispersion of such to appropriate sources
- Agency and community collaboration