Juvenile Probation Counselor Job Description & Career Outlook

The job of a juvenile probation counselor (sometimes called an intake counselor) is to evaluate complaints filed by law enforcement agencies, parents, educators, or others in the community who allege a juvenile has committed a criminal or status (one that only a minor can be charged with) offense. Their goal is to determine whether additional court interventions are necessary or if the matter can be diverted from court. They work very closely with law enforcement, social services, schools and parents to help juveniles become successful.

Responsibilities of the juvenile probation counselor (JPC) are numerous. The JPC’s first responsibility is to evaluate complaints filed against the juvenile. At that point, the JPC will schedule appointments to meet with the juvenile and his/her family in order to gather additional information and inform them of the juvenile court process. The JPC may also schedule an appointment with the complainant to discuss the process and gather more information. The first appointment with the juvenile and his/her family is called the intake appointment. At this stage, the JPC is responsible for explaining the charges filed against the individual, diversions to court that may be available, and the court process if the case is to be forwarded to court for further interventions. If the case is referred to court, the juvenile probation counselor is charged with the task of preparing the initial court report that includes a summary of the charges, information gathered at intake and recommendations for interventions.

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Become a Juvenile Probation Counselor: Training & Requirements

To become a Juvenile Probation Counselor, you usually work for the state, of which most require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, education or human services. In addition to the educational requirements, the JPC should possess the skills necessary to work with at-risk youth. He/she should be familiar with community resources and how to develop a plan of action that will address the needs of the juvenile beyond merely the charges. The JPC must be able to work with various government and social agencies.

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Juvenile Probation Counselor Salary

Salaries for juvenile probation counselors range between $30,000 and $85,000 per year depending on the location of the position, the types of cases processed, and the individual’s educational and experience levels.

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Juvenile Probation Counselor Career Outlook

With increased focus on juvenile delinquency, the job outlook for juvenile probation counselors looks good and is expected to improve. More states are adding juvenile probation counselor positions to meet the growing demand.

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