Probation/Parole Officer

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

Probation/Parole Officers have the opportunity to work flexible hours!  The job includes working evening and weekend schedules to provide on-call coverage. This is a full-time position state job (40 hours per week) with benefits.

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! Please scroll to the end of this section to see all pay steps. 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.

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

The Probation/Parole Officers are LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (LEO)!

• LEOs can retire with full retirement benefits (pension) at age 55 with
   5 years of continuous LEO service
• LEOs can retire with reduced pension at age 50 with just 15 years of continuous service
• Upon retirement, LEOs receive an annual separation allowance until age 62

The mission of Community Supervision is to protect the safety of citizens in communities throughout the state by providing viable alternatives and meaningful supervision to offenders placed in our custody. The primary goal of Community Supervision is to reach an equal balance of control and treatment for offenders that will positively affect their behavior and lifestyle patterns.

Community Supervision has immediate openings in the following counties:

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

**Applicants may apply 90 days prior to graduating with a Bachelor's degree. 

Note to Current State Employees:
State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position.  If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity.  Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY result.

Step pay plan for PPOs in State Fiscal Year 2024-2025:

Step	Months of experience	FY 24-25
0	0 to 11	$45,422
1	12 to 23	$48,374
2	24 to 35	$51,520
3	36 to 47	$54,868
4	48 to 59	$58,435
5	60 to 71	$62,233
6	72 or more	$66,278
Annual salary increases above step 6 are determined by the State Legislature

 

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review resumes in lieu of the Experience and Education listed on the application.  

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

The successful Probation/Parole Officer demonstrates:

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills

 And has the ability to:

• Use computer software to maintain electronic records and databases
• Exercise independent judgment
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships

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

Necessary Special Qualifications:
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.

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) is one of the largest state agencies with more than 19,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving the lives and property of its citizens through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced after conviction for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes State Prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as the division of Community Supervision. Other divisions include Administration, Compliance & Accreditation, Comprehensive Health Services, Internal Affairs & Intelligence Operations, Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission, and Rehabilitation & Reentry.  

The Division of Community Supervision (DCS) is responsible for overseeing supervision of adult offenders on probation, parole, or post release. The DCS mission is to ensure public safety while helping offenders make positive changes and successfully complete their supervision. DCS collaborates closely with the NC Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission, the court system as well as other state agencies, and community partners, particularly those addressing mental health, substance use, and re-entry issues faced by our returning citizens. DCS is also responsible for the supervision of offenders who transfer from other states through the Interstate Compact program and has oversight of the Community Service Work Program.

DAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
   
 It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information.  Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates/licenses.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.  Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to the education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit.   Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
 

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• If applying for a position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, click this link for specific certification requirements:  Correctional & Probation/Parole Officer Certification.
• The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape." Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions.
• Per NC General Statute 143B-972.1, applicants hired into a position certified as a criminal justice officer or justice officer are required to electronically submit fingerprints to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a state and national criminal history record check and enrollment in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification System: Criminal Justice Record of Arrest and Prosecution Background Service (“RAP Back”). This is in addition to submitting fingerprints during the application process.

Salary : $45,422 - $66,278