For this assignment you are to complete an occupational Interview on an employee in a chosen human service field. (ATTACHED IS A SAMPLE INTERVIEW, THAT CAN BE USED). ?The attac

Someone Important: JPOS

1. What is your official title?

Juvenile Probation Office Supervisor

2. What is your professional and academic background?

I completed my internship at DJJ and was hired after receiving my bachelor’s degree in

criminal Justice. I am currently pursuing a masters in social work.

3. How long have you worked for DJJ?

I have been employed for 11 years

4. What interested you in becoming a Juvenile Probation Officer?

I enjoy working in the legal system and I believe we have the ability to rehabilitate

children, more so than adults. I think children are missing guidance and it only takes one

person/ mentor to help a child make better decisions for the rest of their life.

5. What education do you have?

BS in Criminal Justice and I am in my 2nd year of graduate school

6. Is compensation lacking in this field?

Yes, I have only received one bonus, one 3% percent increase since 2006.

7. So what makes you stay?

I really like the different aspects of the job. We are involved with the kids, the families,

the providers, and the legal system. It’s fun and each day is different. I also like the

flexibility of the job. The healthcare is great, too. We are a family of four and I only pay

30 dollars a monh.

8. What do you think helped you progress to the Supervisor position?

I have always helped others in the office and volunteered to take on additional projects. I

created the crossover unit and always went the extra mile. I really did not want the

Someone Important: JPOS

responsibility of being a supervisor, however, I was encouraged to pursue it. It is

important to always interview when positions open. There is no such thing as too much

interviewing experience.

9. What are they looking for in an entry-level employee?

A hard worker that is eager to help the community. I think this job is great for recent

college graduates. A younger employee would be best. They are active and ready to save

the world.

10. What are you looking for in a senior-level employee?

I always look for a “go getter.” Someone who goes the extra mile, but is personable and

willing to help others.

11. What are the keys to advancement?

Education has little to do with it honestly. Interviews are conducted on a point system and

education is not included. It has more to do with experience, military background, and

how you can answer the questions asked during the panel.

12. What personality traits or personal qualities do you believe contribute most to success in

this field/job? Organization is crucial. You need to be able to speak well in court, but also

have the ability to speak to the kids.

13. In your opinion, do you think that as a Juvenile Probation Officer, a criminal justice

degree is more useful or a counseling type degree (i.e. human services/social work)?

Why? Human services. These are not adults, they are kids. We can make a change. These

kids have the odds against them and if you have a cop mentality, we aren’t rehabilitating.

14. How much demand is there for people in this occupation?

Someone Important: JPOS

High demand, but low compensation. If we hired the right people, we would not need to

spend money on academies, training, and other hiring initiatives. Instead, we could put that

into our paychecks and quality (experienced) people would stay put.

15. Do you ever see this position being eliminated?

Completely? No but I could see us not being State employees. I could totally see us being

contracted out. We would lose all of our benefits. Somehow, DJJ is the first to go when

the State is looking to cut something.

16. If Juvenile Probation was suddenly eliminated, what kinds of jobs would these skills

transfer to? You could be a paralegal or anything related to the legal field. You could

work for the Department of Children and Families, without question. Pretty much

anything to do with case management.

17. What’s the best advice you’d give to someone interested in this field?

Do NOT get burnout, because it is totally possible. Take breaks, take vacations, and do

not be afraid to step out of your normal roles if you are feeling that the job is becoming

redundant. Small projects help to break up the repetitiveness of the position.