As well as Probation Officers we employ staff in a variety of other roles. These include:

Probation Service Officers (PSOs)

PSOs are not qualified Probation Officers but are often qualified in other fields or have relevant work experience. In Hertfordshire, new Probation Service Officers undergo a six week training course.  A Probation Service Officer will:

• Work within the court preparing fast delivery reports and delivering oral reports, interviewing offenders and advising magistrates
• Supervise low risk offenders
• Deliver offending behaviour programmes
• Organise and/or deliver rehabilitative elements such as Skills for Life training or drug rehabilitation

Probation Service Officer salaries vary depending on the role. A new Probation Service Officer can expect to earn between £17-£19,000

Compulsory Unpaid Work Supervisors

This involves the supervision of  groups of offenders in community as they complete the work hours ordered by the court.

Compulsory Unpaid Work Supervisors must enjoy working with people and able to organise tasks effectively.   They must also ensure that the hours are completed successfully and keep accurate records of attendance and non attendance.

A supervisor can typically expect to earn £16,920 (pro rata) and can work either full time or part time (sessionally) As most work groups take place out of working hours, evening and weekend work is commonplace.

Victim Liaison Officers (VLOs) undertake the specific role of supporting and providing information to  the victims, or their families, of serious sexual and violent offenders. VLOs are usually Probation Service Officers and must be able to work well with people, often under difficult and emotional circumstances. They do not provide bereavement support or counselling but advise the victim of the criminal justice process and work to ensure that their views are considered in planning for an offender's eventual release.

Typically a salary for a Victim Liaison Officer is £18,318-£20,610.

Service Resource Administrators (SRAs)

In an organisation that deals with large volumes of personal data and large numbers of appointments it is important to have efficient processes and systems. SRAs provide the administrative back up to the practice staff. They also undertake reception and call answering duties in our four local centres.

Support services

We also employ a number of staff from professions such as IT, Human Resources, Communications and Finance in order to support the front line operation of the service.

For more detailed information download the latest Careers in Probation brochure.