Probation​/Parole Officer

Probation/Parole Officer (S)

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community.

Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Are you looking for a rewarding job where you can make a difference? Consider a career in Probation! As a member of our team, you will contribute to public safety by providing supervision, case management, and intervention services to criminal offenders released to the community. Once hired, Probation/Parole Officers must pass a firearms test, self-defense class and the Basic PPO Certification Exam.

Probation/Parole Officers enjoy annual salary increases with a step pay plan! In your first year of work as a North Carolina Probation Officer, you will earn $45,422.00, and after one-year of satisfactory employment, your salary will be increased to $48,374.00. After six years, you will be earning in excess of $66,000! Applicants with experience in a related position such as probation or law enforcement, Juvenile Court Counselor, or Correctional Case Manager may qualify to start at a higher step.

Be sure to list ALL of your past work experience in your application so we can qualify you to start at the highest possible pay.

What are the duties of a Probation/Parole Officer? Place offenders into appropriate supervision levels through investigative and assessment processes;
Respond to offender behavior and non-compliance;
Make referrals regarding treatment that offenders need;
Counsel offenders;
Carry officer safety package to include a firearm, pepper spray, and protective vest;
Intervene in crises and conduct arrests;
Evaluate what an offender needs to successfully complete probation or post-release and parole;
Officers interact with court personnel, victims, community agencies, and law enforcement personnel;
Officers must maintain a professional demeanor while working with potentially volatile and assaultive offenders and be able to defend oneself and others if the need arises;
Officers must work with and maintain positive professional working relationships with offenders, community leaders, law enforcement, and court officials.

Effective oral and written communication skills

Strong problem-solving and organizational skills

Experience using computer software to maintain electronic records and databases

Exercising independent judgment

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships

Prior to hire, the successful applicant must:

• Pass background checks
• Pass drug screening
• Be physically able to perform the essential functions of the job and must pass a physical exam
• Pass a psychological screening
• Be a US or naturalized citizen

Within 90 days after hire, the employee must:

• Have a valid NC driver's license
• Live within 30 miles of the county to which assigned
• Remain in county to which assigned for two years
• Reside within the state of North Carolina

Probation/Parole Officers:

• Are assigned a state car
• Carry and use gun and OC Pepper spray
• Do not always work with a partner and are expected to make home visits, sometimes in the middle of the night when on-call
• Must be able to arrest offenders
• Search an offender's home
• Must be able to learn a variety of software
• Make decisions about punishment of an offender who is non-compliant
• Must be able to pass certification requirements to include attending eight consecutive weeks of Basic training and remain on campus overnight. Training includes but is not limited to:
  Firearms, OC Pepper Spray, Controls, Restraints and Defensive Techniques (CRDT, non-lethal self-defense), Arrest, search and seizure, administering drug tests, ethics, laws, procedures, policies.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution. You may apply and interview 90 days ahead of your anticipated graduation date.

Necessary Special Requirements:
Must be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission. Must complete the Criminal Justice Standards Training requirements and all other requirements for General Certification within one year or as required by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.

Applications are valid for one year from the date of application. For a list of FAQs, : FAQs.

For more information about certification, please visit NC Department of Justice Correctional and Probation/Parole Officer Certification (ncdoj.gov).

The Probation/Parole Officers are LAW…