Probation and Parole Officer Careers

Job Requirements for Probation and Parole Officers

To become a Probation/Parole Officer, candidates must:

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Pass psychological screening
• Pass drug screening
• Pass a background check
• Be able to pass Criminal Justice certification
• Be physically able to perform the essential functions of the job and pass a physical exam

Within 90 days after hire, Probation/Parole Officers must:

• Have a valid NC driver's license
• Live within 30 miles of the county to which assigned, and
• Reside within the state of North Carolina 

Training and Work Environment

Work Environment

Schedule
Employees must be able to work any shift including rotating, fixed shift or split shift. All shifts may include days, nights, weekends, holidays and mandatory overtime as required.  

Dress Code
DPS policy on personal grooming is enforced during Basic Training. Officers wear their duty uniform every day for class.

Conduct
"No alcohol" policy. Cell phones, cameras and/or recording devices are not allowed in any building, classroom, gymnasium, or firing range where training is being conducted. Failure to follow the dress code or rules of conduct could result in immediate separation from training and disciplinary action, including dismissal. 

Training

Probation/Parole Officers receive six consecutive weeks of basic training and must be in DPS uniforms.  They learn:

• The legal system and probation/parole law
• Officer-offender relations, including behavior, counseling, crisis intervention and offender supervision, motivational Interviewing
• Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI)
• Evidence-based practices (EBP)
• Preparation for court participation
• Warrantless searches, drug identification 
• Professional ethics and personal conduct
• Administrative, case and offender management 
• Punishment
• Defensive protection (CRDT)
• Introduction to the handgun 
• Arrest, handcuffing, search and seizure, 
• OPUS (offender management database)
• Basic technology training
   

Application Process

Probation and Parole Officer candidates go through a thorough application screening process

The Probation/Parole Associate and Probation/Parole Officer jobs are posted the 1st - 20th of each month.

1. All applications are screened to verify the applicant: 
   * Has a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and the applicant meets the education and experience requirements 
   * Is at least 20 years old 
   * Has a valid North Carolina driver license or is able to obtain one within 90 days of employment
   * Is a U.S. or Naturalized citizen
   * Has never had a DUI or DWI
   * Does not have six or more points on their North Carolina driving record
   * Does not have any felony convictions
   * Is willing to use a handgun
    
2. ​​​​​A criminal background check is conducted.
3. If there are no disqualifying factors as an outcome of the background check, Community Corrections will schedule the applicant for an interview in the region indicated on the application.
4. If the interview goes well, a more extensive background check will be conducted and references will be checked.
5. The applicant will be emailed to request they take several online assessments and complete a personal history statement.
6. If there is no vacancy in the county selected, the application will remain on file for twelve months from the date the applicant applied.
7. If selected to move forward in the hiring process, the applicant will meet with a Regional Employment Office (REO) representative for further testing and completion of required employment and criminal justice certification forms. During the REO appointment, the applicant may be required to provide documents such as: driver's license, social security card, proof of high school diploma, photo ID, along with a few other documents.
8. Following the REO appointment, the applicant is scheduled to meet with the agency's provider to have a medical examination, psychological evaluation and drug screening.
9. If the applicant meets all agency and Criminal Justice Standards requirements, the applicant is contacted by a Community Corrections representative to establish a start date for employment.
    

A Word From the Director