If you decide to get a job in juvenile justice, you’ll be working with children who have behavioral problems. These kids work with counselors who help them make better choices so that they can attempt to live healthier lives. As a counselor, you could expect to work at a group home, drug rehab clinic, correctional facility or a private practice.
Job Duties Performed In Juvenile Justice
If you were to become a juvenile probation officer, you would be involved in enforcing the terms set for juveniles probation. Juvenile probation officers are assigned the task of monitoring the actions of the juvenile that they are assigned. This may be done in person or by phone. As a juvenile probation officer, you would work to ensure that children who are offenders will receive proper rehabilitation and treatment. You would also be responsible for meeting with friends and family to help get the child heading down a positive path.
Another role in the juvenile justice system is that of a defense attorney. If you pursue this path, you would be in charge of handling the representation of juveniles in court and making sure that their legal rights are protected. This could lead to a path towards becoming a judge in the juvenile system. If you chose this route, you would end up presiding over cases relating to juvenile offenders. Your role would be involved in appropriating proper punishment for wrongdoings.
Salary In The Juvenile Justice System
There are many different roles you can play if you decide to get involved with the juvenile justice system. Here are a few jobs and their salaries based on figures from 2018:
Probation officer: Average salary of $49,000
Judge: Salaries range between $157,000-$179,000
Counselors: Median salary range is $49,000
Education
If you’d like to become a juvenile counselor, you will need to obtain your bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. Typical entry jobs are associated with degrees in psychology, criminal justice or human services. It will help if you complete an internship before graduation so that your chances increase for quick employment after you graduate. By pursuing this path of work, your experience can lead you to become a supervisor. Be sure to contact state and local government agencies to see if you are required to become certified or licensed.
You will also need a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree you want to become a probation officer who works in the juvenile justice system. It’s best to pursue a degree in criminal justice, social work or psychology. If you’re looking for advancing your career, a masters degree may help. To become a probation officer, you’ll have to pass a series of required tests.
To become an attorney who works in juvenile justice, you will be required to obtain an undergraduate degree and pass law school. In addition, you’ll be required to pass the bar exam in your state and become licensed. If you enjoy this career path, experience may give you enough qualifications that you’ll become a judge.
Jim Treebold is a North Carolina based writer. He lives by the mantra of “Learn 1 new thing each day”! Jim loves to write, read, pedal around on his electric bike and dream of big things. Drop him a line if you like his writing, he loves hearing from his readers!