Probation officers monitor and supervise defendants before, during, and after their judicial proceedings. It essence, they ensure that alleged criminals do not flee their jurisdiction in order to avoid any potential sentencing. In some instances, probation officers monitor convicted defendants who have received moderate sentences after signing plea bargains. In these cases, a probation officer would perform many of the same duties as a parole officer. It essence your probation officer training will focus on monitoring the activities of your charges, and ensuring that they are where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there. As such, it will be important for you to understand law enforcement, the legal justice system, parole officer duties, and occasionally, bounty hunting. In addition, most probation officer programs will emphasize strong investigative skills since your charges will occasionally "jump bail." You'll have to follow paper trails, contact local authorities, and supervise efforts to bring back your charge to whatever proceedings he or she has tried to avoid.

Most work as probation officers after their training. But it's not uncommon for graduates to work in a variety of tangential fields that borrow many of the same skills mastered through probation officer programs. These fields include parole officers, corrections officers, bounty hunters, social workers, private investigators, law enforcement officials, prison wardens, bailiffs, security guards, and other related functions. Although occasionally, it will be necessary to go back and receive additional training in order to supplement the skills you will have mastered through probation officer training.