Correctional Counselor / Case Manager

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

O*NET definition of Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (SOC 21-1092) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (SOC 21-1092) naming each level as required to be hired, 37 respondents, O*NET survey August 2020. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists typically need a bachelor's degree. In addition, candidates may be required to pass oral, written, and psychological exams.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Correctional Counselor / Case Manager in 15 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 15 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

1. Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.4.5
2. Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.4.4
3. Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.4.4
4. Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.4.4
5. Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.4.4
6. Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.4.4
7. Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.4.3
8. Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.4.3
9. Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole.4.3
10. Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.4.3

The 10 most important of 17 core tasks for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2020.