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Senior Correctional Probation Officer feat. Kimberly Jefferson (Part 2)
96 Plays1 year ago
Today’s episode features State Probation Officers. Probation officers work everyday is to ensure the safety of our communities. They promote safety by supervising an offender and ensuring compliance with any court orders. They help them find the resources they need to complete their supervision while holding them accountable so they kind of serve as part counselor and part law enforcement officer. They assess needs with individualized supervision plans specific to each offender. Without a doubt, being a Probation Officer takes heart.
Today’s Guest is Kimberly Jefferson, Senior Correctional Probation Officer with The Office of Community Corrections in the State of Florida. She loves what she does because she gets to help people when they are at a crossroads in their lives. She works alongside the state courts system, community partners and local law enforcement to help an offender integrate healthily into his/her community. Kim brings compassion and solutions for those she supervises and is a breath of fresh air for a critical piece of our society that needs more love, patience and understanding.
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Transcript
Welcome and Introduction
00:00:00
Speaker
Welcome back for part two of Take Your Homeboy to Work Day podcast. We'll pick up where we left off. But before you go, we need your help to spread our message. So please subscribe, like, and rate five stars wherever you get your podcasts and on LinkedIn at Take Your Homeboy to Work Day podcast. Thank you. Enjoy.
Imagining Probation Scenarios
00:00:22
Speaker
Now I want to ask the next question. I want you to think abstractly.
00:00:26
Speaker
And so imagine I hired a painter for you and they want to commemorate your job, what you do into a painting or drawing. What would you tell them to draw? How would you describe this career in a painting? Oh my goodness. I would say, wow, there's so many
00:00:50
Speaker
That question just brings so many different scenarios in my mind. Well, give two that if you like. Feel free to share two if you want. Yeah, I was going to be really funny about one, but I was.
00:01:06
Speaker
painting of me just kicking down the door. No, I'm kidding. I would say a probation officer who is out in the field, which means going out to do home visits, and they're shaking the hand of their offender. I would say that would be the painting that I see because they're out there
00:01:31
Speaker
making sure the community is safe, but they're also, you can clearly see the relationship that they have with the offender. It's a good one. They're shaking hands. Everybody's smiling. That's what I would say would be the best painting.
Unpredictable Work Experiences
00:01:45
Speaker
Although I did like the one where I kick in the door. Kick in the door now? Yeah, maybe there's a blend of both of those images together. Maybe I could find us on those windows. Yeah. Because I have a good image of you. I guess what shoes are you wearing when you kick down this door?
00:02:01
Speaker
Oh, I'm wearing my tactical boots. Oh, yeah. My tactical boots for sure, because you just never know sometimes when they move to these new places where they're going to stay. I remember I had to actually climb up into a mobile home because it was on stilts like it was on bricks.
00:02:25
Speaker
And I said, how am I going to get here? I literally took a running start and rolled into the house. What? You know, I couldn't climb in there. So I'm like, let me just take a running start and kind of just throw myself into this house.
00:02:44
Speaker
Every time I go out, you have to be prepared. I got on my tactical pants. I got on my tactical boots. Yeah, you just got to be prepared. You never know. Right. And you know what? Since you brought it up, I guess let's go ahead and talk about what has been the most unpredictable experience you've had while being out there or working with an offender?
Future of Probation with Technology
00:03:07
Speaker
I would say,
00:03:10
Speaker
Wow, where do I? I would say a curfew check because they literally do not know when we're coming and she answered the door completely naked. I was like, whoa, wait a minute. I know it's 1230 in the morning, but
00:03:35
Speaker
Wow. You just don't expect that, right? I guess this is the whole way of getting back at you. You pop up on me, I'm going to... I'm like, okay.
00:03:49
Speaker
Yes, absolutely. I would say that's probably one of my favorite stories. Also working with law enforcement too, sometimes you need the canine unit to do some sniffing. So we do partner up with other law enforcement agencies like the police, the sheriff's office to help us sometimes with transporting.
00:04:16
Speaker
Because we can't arrest, we do arrest, we have arresting powers, but we do not transport. That is for the police to do. So one of my favorite stories is working with the canine unit. This particular offender had come out of her house and took off.
00:04:35
Speaker
So just being there for the search and seeing the little canine. Oh my God, he was so cute. His name was Diesel and he just wanted a pizza. So bad.
00:04:52
Speaker
So, but he didn't get a piece, you know, they were able to get her before he was able to be let loose. So once that happens for the canines, they actually have to bite on something. So just seeing the trainer put the glove on and letting the canine just kind of, you know, bite them and get that out of their system. That was pretty, pretty fun. That was one of those fun times that we worked with other
00:05:20
Speaker
agencies. So yeah, I would say those two probably my favorites.
00:05:26
Speaker
Very funny. Thank you for sharing those. Now with these next two questions, I kind of want to look at probation officer with a little bit of a critical eye. And I guess the first question is like, you know, we're coming out of the pandemic and then with technological advances, how do you see the probation officer role evolving over the next couple of years? You know, what changes do you see come into this job?
00:05:55
Speaker
So the thing about probation and law enforcement that I love is that our training is ongoing. We never stop training. And oh my gosh, we have to stay one step ahead of the criminals. Every day, like you said, there's new technology, there's new weapons, there's new drugs.
00:06:20
Speaker
So, you know, fentanyl is taking over and it's not your heroin, you know, it's not your cocaine. This is a new synthetic type of drug that is killing people by the hundreds.
00:06:34
Speaker
Making sure we stay abreast of all of that. So like I said, our training is always ongoing. There's different training that we have to do. I think that we do a really good job of making sure that our officers are all prepared.
00:06:53
Speaker
Funny thing is when I got into it, I was over it. I said, why are we doing so many trainings? I can't even do my job. I'm over here training one week, I'm over here the next week. But I realized as time went on, it's for the best. I see probation continuing to evolve as the criminals evolve. That's where I started going. Yeah.
00:07:19
Speaker
Because we're already on top of things. I feel as of right now in probation. Of course there could be better ways to do things, but I think we are really getting a grasp of it and making sure that we stay ahead of the game.
00:07:37
Speaker
makes sense, makes sense.
Financial Challenges and Job Stress
00:07:39
Speaker
And since you actually, you know, you brought up training and continuous learning, you know, what are some sources that you use to, or I guess, you know what, even a better question, if you're able to share, what was the last training that they had you go on? Like, what's an example of a training, a continuous learning that they have you do?
00:07:58
Speaker
continuous learning, we started doing our substance abuse treatments, the different types of treatments that offenders may need. I'm learning to use Narcan just in case you have a
00:08:14
Speaker
a probationer come into the office and they are high and need assistance. So that was my last training, just learning how to use the Narcan, being able to assist if I need to. There is one coming up that I have to take about gangs.
00:08:34
Speaker
Um, so there's some new gangs out there that I need to be aware of. So that's coming up in the next two weeks. And also for the year, um, I actually have defensive tactics training. Um, I have to qualify for that every year. So that's going to be actually this Wednesday coming up. Um, always keeping sharp, you know, always making sure that I'm able to defend myself. So, um, yeah, I would say I have training probably once a month.
00:09:04
Speaker
Wow. Wow. Okay. Well, thank you for sharing that. I appreciate it. It's so interesting to learn. So thank you. Now let me ask you this. I know this is, you were really passionate. You wanted to do this role to help, but I imagine there was something, you know, there was maybe parts about the job that you couldn't predict or weren't aware of. I guess, so what has been, um, um,
00:09:29
Speaker
I guess maybe a professional experience that you weren't prepared for, or I guess, what is one thing about the job that you weren't expecting that maybe causes you stress or frustration that you would like, you would have loved to told your younger self, hey, be prepared, watch out for this when it happens. Did that question come across clear?
00:09:51
Speaker
Yes, it did actually. I would say being a public servant, you really have to want to do the profession. Just like teachers, a lot of our pay is not great. So you're not going to have a lot of people running to this career.
00:10:11
Speaker
The state of Florida is trying to change that. We have gotten a raise we did last year and another bigger raise is coming this year. So I would say the money part of it. I love
00:10:24
Speaker
you know, the criminal justice system and learning about it and being a part of it. But I would say that was the one thing that I was like, oh, man. You know, because I did when I was living in DC, I was working in the private sector.
00:10:42
Speaker
As a background investigator, so the funds were so much better But once you take that step into the public sector you're really gonna lose a lot of the the the money that comes with Doing the profession so I would say that would probably be the one thing I was not ready for Gotcha gotcha, okay now
Career Aspirations in Probation
00:11:06
Speaker
You know, as you think about your career, you mentioned already that you've already received one promotion, correct? Correct.
00:11:17
Speaker
What is your, you know, as you are building the foundation for your career right now, what is your dream job? You know, what, where do you, what are you building up to right now that you want to go to next? I know you said the next probation would be, not probation, promotion, would be to work with sex offenders. But I guess what is, you know, where, where do you see this career taking you? What job, what's the dream job you would like to hold that's within this career path?
00:11:48
Speaker
So, yes, it's funny you said that because I was talking to the higher ups, they brought me into the office, they really would like to see me promote to a sex offender officer. I haven't even been a senior officer that long, but they see it in me, you know.
00:12:04
Speaker
They said I have the empathy and the compassion for that particular position. So yes, I would love to promote to being a sex offender officer. But after that, my goal, I would say, would be to sit on a parole panel.
00:12:22
Speaker
Working in probation, yes, I can see the after effects of what happens when you do come out of prison. Will you do well? I think that would be an amazing thing to sit on a parole board and really make those tough decisions.
00:12:44
Speaker
Wow. Yeah. Yeah. Um, I guess in, in, how do you see that, like the parole, excuse me, working on the parole board? Um, I guess what's that work like? I mean, could you, I know you're not there yet, but could you break down what that role is? Cause I have an image in my head based on once again, media, but what is it? What does that actually like?
00:13:08
Speaker
Um, so the best I could give you would be almost like Shawshank Redemption. If you know that's exactly what I was thinking about. Yes. You just read my mind. That's crazy. That is crazy. Okay. Okay.
00:13:24
Speaker
Yeah, so when Morgan Freeman continuously went before the board and they're like, no, no, no, you know, so many years, that's that would be what I would give the lay person to imagine. But of course, it's not quite like that. But it is it does give you an idea of what a parole board does. They do make those tough decisions.
00:13:45
Speaker
Is this person ready to live among society? Will they be a contributor to society? Will they be able to make it? And you already know, in that movie, the older gentleman could not hack it. He got out early and it was just kind of
00:14:06
Speaker
this, he could not really get it going, you know, with his life outside of those prison walls. So that would be what I am looking to do, to say, yes, you can make it, or, you know, maybe not this time. I really want to be able to look and do my research into the person, really look at what their crimes were. So for me, that's the upper echelon.
00:14:31
Speaker
You know, all of this, what I'm doing now is that that foundation, getting an understanding of how a person, you know, will do once they are done with prison or once they're done with probation. I'm really just laying the foundation.
Salaries and Recruitment Challenges
00:14:48
Speaker
Gotcha. Gotcha. Thank you so much for that explanation.
00:14:51
Speaker
And I can't believe I actually forgot this question, but thank you for reminding me. One of the things I love the audience to hear is actually about how much you can make. Would you be willing to share the salary? If you're not, you don't have to share your own. You can share ranges if you feel more comfortable. But what's the salary that a probation officer can make? How much could you make during the academy and training? How much do you make coming out those first couple of years?
00:15:19
Speaker
What's the salary of a probation officer? So when you first go into the academy to become a probation officer, you're sitting right about 42,000. Once you are done being in the academy and you've finished everything, now you are
00:15:38
Speaker
a probation officer. Now you're starting at the 47,000 range. When you start doing promotions, that's when your ranges go higher and you're able to make more money once you promote. But again, for the cost of living, for what we do, the state of Florida, and I know everyone hates him, but Governor Ron DeSantis is looking
00:16:04
Speaker
Governor Ron DeSantis is looking at, okay, it's not working. Our recruitment is down. Nobody wants to do the job. They're looking at the pay. For eight years in Florida, Rick Scott decided not to do any type of raises. So it put a
00:16:24
Speaker
I guess a stop to people wanting to continue working. They started losing officers. They started having a rough time with recruitment. So now they are really trying to make that wage gap just really expansive. And I'm glad they're doing that because even in the time that they have given us the first raise, people have still left. It's still not enough, they say.
00:16:50
Speaker
because our work is just so tough. It's really hard. It's really stressful and people want to get what they're owed. And I believe that. So I get it wholeheartedly. I'm 100% behind it. We do need more money to get this thing going. So
00:17:09
Speaker
For the legislature, excuse me, for the legislature this year, like I said, the range ranges are huge. And that's what we're looking forward to. We need more officers. We need them.
Applying for Positions in Florida
00:17:22
Speaker
Yes. In my office, we are down three officers. So we're having our caseloads are way too high.
00:17:28
Speaker
I'm starting to get more cases, which is almost tough to do when you're a court officer as well. So we're really hurting right now. So if you have a want, a need to become a probation officer, do it, do it, do it, do it.
00:17:46
Speaker
our sector is hurting really badly and it would be great to get new people in who are excited about the criminal justice system and who really want to help. So yes, you know what? You asked me about money and I'm giving this as it's a commercial. I'm sorry.
00:18:08
Speaker
That's also another purpose of the show is to, you know, if you, if there is, you know, people love what they do and they want to attract more people to what they do also. So like, where could I go to apply or to start to learn about becoming a probation officer? What website or what could I search to find out more?
00:18:25
Speaker
Sure. You can just search the state of Florida. What's going to come up is a website called People's First. That's where all the jobs are for the state of Florida. That's where everything is. In the search bar, you can just put in Florida Department of Corrections and it will bring up all the positions within the Florida Department of Corrections.
00:18:49
Speaker
which will also be your correction officers. Those are those officers in the prisons. So you'll get both sides. You'll get your probation opportunities as well as your correctional officer.
00:19:01
Speaker
opportunities working in the prison. Like I said, you just search and everything will pop up and it will be all over the state. The state of Florida is expansive.
Qualities for Success
00:19:11
Speaker
It's huge. So you can literally work anywhere. The other amazing part about it is you can transfer to any office anywhere in the state of Florida.
00:19:22
Speaker
So you really aren't locked down to a location. You really can move around the state. And a lot of officers do that. I did it myself. I was originally in Pensacola when I first got out of the academy and I now live in St. Petersburg, Florida. So I did make that lateral, or I'm sorry, the promotion to
00:19:48
Speaker
Another senior officer i'm sorry and like i said you can do laterals to other places as well so yeah you can move around the state if you'd like.
00:19:59
Speaker
That's a great perk to be able to have a flexibility where you live. So that's a great perk for the job. I guess if somebody is out there listening and potentially considering becoming a probation officer, what other, well, actually the first question I would like to ask, you mentioned compassion and empathy as two things you need to do this. What are some other intrinsic qualities that a person needs to be successful at this? Or if I have these intrinsic qualities, this would be a good career path for you.
00:20:29
Speaker
What are those sure I would say patience patience Throughout this career They're going to get on your nerves. They are it's just human nature. They're going to make you want to pull your hair out Yes, it's going to happen There are days where you may want to cry It's all about
00:20:56
Speaker
really staying focused on what you are supposed to be doing, and that's helping them. Patience is key. Also a smart idea of where you want to take the offender. You really have to sit down with yourself, look at them, look at what they've done, look at what they're doing, and just take a look and focus your attention
00:21:22
Speaker
on where they need the most help. So I would say just being smart about it, really doing your research. You don't want to use a one size fits all mentality. That will not work. And you will see that very early on because there are so many personalities in it and just a people person.
00:21:43
Speaker
Can you talk to people with integrity and dignity? You know, I've had a couple offenders tell me, man, my other probation officer did not, you know, talk to me the way you do. I feel like a human being. And that's sad, you know, because we're all in this life thing together. And I always tell my probationers, all it takes is one mistake.
00:22:10
Speaker
And you could be sitting right where they're sitting. So there has to be an attitude of just service, serving your community. That would be the biggest one. Wow. Wow. Well, thank you very much. Salute to you. So for anybody out there listening, if you feel like you possess these qualities and you want to give back to community and your society, this could be a great career path for you. So thank you for sharing all of that. Can I add something else?
Perks of the Job
00:22:40
Speaker
Of course, definitely. Okay, I just wanted to add some more perks to the job because I know I've made it sound just like really, really serious and it is serious, but I do want to say flexible schedules. One of the reasons you and I could not even
00:23:02
Speaker
You're not working a regular nine to five. Your schedule is all over the place and it's whatever you make it. That's the one of the things that I love. I'm not locked in the office from eight to five.
00:23:15
Speaker
I do my fieldwork, doing home visits at night. You have to do curfews. So you're going to be up at 2 AM, 3 AM, 1 AM doing curfews. They would like you to work on the weekends sometimes. So you have that flexibility. And when they're recruiting you, they'll tell you, you will not miss any of your children's recitals, games, doctor's appointments, none of that.
00:23:42
Speaker
It is so flexible. You really can make your own schedule and have it be whatever it is you want it to be. The other perk I would say is going to be
00:23:54
Speaker
our benefits. It is the government. So literally your insurance is so, so, so, so cheap. I literally pay $25 and I have top tier insurance. It's the best around. It really, really is. It is so complete as well. Your vision, your dental,
00:24:17
Speaker
your doctors. And for someone like me, you know, with medical issues, it's perfect. It really works out and I am able to go to all my doctors for little of nothing. So those are the two perks I just wanted to throw out there.
00:24:33
Speaker
Yeah, those are huge. No, you're good. That's the whole purpose of this. And once again, my mind is blown because I chose to go into sales because I didn't want to go to an office. I wanted to have control of my time and my day. And so to hear that you can also get that type of freedom through this career also, I mean, now I'm kind of actually interested in the work.
00:25:01
Speaker
No problem. Thank you for sharing that. Yeah, you can also work from home. I do Mondays and Fridays. I definitely work from home those days. So yeah, it's a really flexible career. They don't try to keep you locked to your desk. It's impossible. We have way too much to do. You're always going somewhere doing something. So I really do love that because
00:25:27
Speaker
I hate getting up in the morning. I am not a morning person. So working late is not a big deal for me. But I did want to put those perks out there. Thank you so much for allowing me to. Of course. And thank you. Thank you. So we are coming up towards the end of our episode.
Dream Music Collaboration
00:25:50
Speaker
And now it's time for me to put you on the spot. Are you ready?
00:25:55
Speaker
Oh, okay, let's do it. That. And I feel like, you know what? I already know who one of your favorite artists is, so we'll see if you... Well, so imagine this scenario. You are an A&R at a record label company, and you've just been given an unlimited budget to create a song.
00:26:16
Speaker
You can put any three artists and then one beat maker in the studio together to create a song. Which artist and which beat maker are you choosing? Oh my gosh. Really? Come on. I know. I got to do it. I have to do it. OK. I'm like, I can give you who I would like to produce this song. It's going to be Missy and Timbaland.
00:26:46
Speaker
I love when they get there. They have to be on the song. Yes. All right. As far as the artist, this is so hard.
00:27:03
Speaker
Oh my goodness. See, I don't even know. Do I want it to be like an R&B flow? Are we doing like a little hip hop? I don't know. Maybe I could with a, I'll go the Mariah route and do like a R&B with a hip hop artist maybe. So I'm going to do Rihanna. Okay, okay. Love Rihanna so much. Love RiRi. And then I'm going to put, oh.
00:27:33
Speaker
Gosh. $103,000. Ooh, heavy hitter. Okay, heavy hitter. Okay. Yes. Only because they don't have a song to get it. That'd be dope. So no Janet. We're not putting Janet on the song, so it's Missy. Oh, Janet! Oh my god, Missy!
00:27:56
Speaker
Janet has to be. Janet has to be. What? She's my fave fave. She has to be on the on the song. Yes. Yes. Who you kicked off because you had you had Simba Leonard, the beat maker, then you had Missy, Rihanna and Andre 3000. So who you kicking off to slide Janet on there? You know what? Janet does work well with Missy. I'm gonna have to get rid of Riri.
00:28:28
Speaker
Well, I know that is a tough question. You know, I heard Janet is going on tour. Have you, do you follow her? Have you heard that again? Oh my God. Yes, she's going on tour and I got to figure out how I can be in the mix because
00:28:44
Speaker
Her show transforms you literally. I mean, she's my favorite dancer. And I just, as a performer, she's top tier. You are literally transformed when you're at her concert. I love it. I love watching her perform. I love watching her be in her bag. It's an amazing experience.
00:29:06
Speaker
Oh, she's definitely her bag after this divorce. I mean, woo, she is set for life. Absolutely. Yeah. Come on. Yeah. When did we get to see her perform? When did you go to a concert of hers? I can't remember her being on tour for a long time. Yeah, my last concert was 2015 in Charlotte. She was doing smaller venues. So that was my last time seeing her perform.
00:29:35
Speaker
And ever since then, she's been doing just a performance here, performance there. So her going back on tour, amazing. Yes. Yeah. Awesome. Awesome. Okay. Well, thank you for having fun with me. I really appreciate it in answering. I know it's an impossible question to answer, but there is no right or wrong answer, but thank you for having fun with me. Yes, absolutely.
Compassionate Approach to Probation
00:29:58
Speaker
Well, Kim, I appreciate you coming on the show. This has been such a fun conversation. I knew I wanted you to come on when I was creating this concept. Stephanie has always talked about how you bring a level of compassion and bring your heart to this type of job. And so I wanted to honor that and honor you, especially for a job that is so tough and doesn't get
00:30:18
Speaker
It doesn't show that heart or that compassion side. On TV, you always see the probation officer saying, you know, let's say the offender asks, you know, where can I get a job? And the guy says, I don't care. And I don't know what I don't care. And like, that's the image you have a probation officer. So I wanted to first salute you for everything that you do, taking on this tough work, bringing a heart into it. And I wish you nothing but success as you continue to matriculate through your career.
00:30:42
Speaker
Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure. I've had so much fun. If anyone is interested, throw them my way. I will help in whatever capacity that I can. But yeah, I just think that with us being the silent service is what Florida has given us that title. I just want to put that out there, that probation is really, really a fun career. And if you have the heart for it, do it.
00:31:12
Speaker
It is so rewarding and it's really an eye-opening experience. You really, really, really get to see someone from the lowest part of their life to almost the highest point. It's so rewarding and I really, really appreciate you for having me come on and explain what we actually do.
Conclusion and Engagement Reminder
00:31:32
Speaker
Thank you so much. It's been a joy.
00:31:34
Speaker
Definitely. And in the show notes, I'm going to put a link to your LinkedIn profile. And then I'm also going to put a link to the career section where people can learn about jobs with the information officer. So I'll make sure to put those in the show notes too. OK, sounds good. Now I have to go fix my LinkedIn. Thank you. Well, thank you again, Kim. And have a great rest of the day.
00:32:01
Speaker
Hey, before you go, we need your help to spread our message. So please subscribe, like, and rate five stars wherever you get your podcast and on LinkedIn at Take Your Homeboy to Work Day podcast. Thank you.