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Probation And Parole Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State of Montana

Probation Parole Officer

Cascade, MT

$46K - $60K/yr

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER PROBATION & PAROLE GREAT FALLS, MT The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you ...

State of Montana

Probation Parole Officer

Great Falls, MT · On-site

$46K - $61K/yr

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER PROBATION & PAROLE GREAT FALLS, MT The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you ...

Montana

Probation Parole Officer

Great Falls, MT · On-site

$46K - $61K/yr

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER PROBATION & PAROLE GREAT FALLS, MT The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you ...

State of Montana

Probation Parole Officer

Great Falls, MT · On-site

$46K - $61K/yr

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER PROBATION & PAROLE GREAT FALLS, MT The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you ...

State of Montana

Probation Parole Officer

Cascade, MT · On-site

$46K - $60K/yr

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER PROBATION & PAROLE GREAT FALLS, MT The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you ...

State of Montana

Probation Parole Officer

Great Falls, MT · On-site

$46K - $61K/yr

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER PROBATION & PAROLE GREAT FALLS, MT The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you ...

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How much do probation and parole jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for probation and parole in the United States is $59,014.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Probation and Parole Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Probation and Parole Officer, you need a background in criminal justice or social work, strong case management abilities, and often a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with case management software, law enforcement databases, and sometimes state-required certifications is essential. Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and empathy are critical soft skills for effectively supporting and supervising clients. These skills are crucial for promoting rehabilitation, ensuring public safety, and successfully guiding individuals through the criminal justice system.

What is the difference between Probation And Parole vs Probation Officer?

AspectProbation And ParoleProbation Officer
CredentialsCriminal justice degree, training in supervision and interventionCriminal justice degree, training in case management and legal procedures
Work EnvironmentSupervising offenders in community settings, offices, or homesSupervising offenders, conducting assessments, and collaborating with agencies
Employer & IndustryCourts, correctional agencies, parole boardsCourts, probation departments, criminal justice agencies

Probation And Parole professionals oversee offenders' compliance with court or parole conditions, often working in community settings. Probation Officers primarily focus on supervising offenders on probation, ensuring they follow court orders. While both roles involve offender supervision, Probation And Parole staff may also manage parolees returning to the community after incarceration. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in criminal justice.

What career paths can a probation officer take?

Probation officers can advance to supervisory roles such as senior probation officer or case manager, or transition into related fields like criminal justice administration, social work, or forensic counseling. They may also pursue specialized certifications or further education to qualify for roles in law enforcement, rehabilitation programs, or policy development.

What are probation and parole officers?

Probation and parole officers are professionals who supervise offenders who have been released into the community either on probation (instead of serving time in prison) or parole (after serving part of their sentence in prison). Their main role is to help these individuals reintegrate into society while ensuring they comply with court-ordered conditions. Officers conduct regular meetings, monitor behavior, provide resources for rehabilitation, and report progress to the courts. They play a crucial role in balancing public safety with supporting offenders’ successful reentry.

What are some common challenges faced by probation and parole officers in managing their caseloads?

Probation and parole officers often manage large and diverse caseloads, which can be challenging due to varying levels of offender risk and needs. Balancing administrative duties, such as documentation and court reporting, with fieldwork like home visits and community supervision, requires strong organizational skills. Officers must also navigate difficult situations, such as addressing non-compliance or connecting offenders with appropriate resources, all while maintaining public safety. Effective communication and time management are essential to meeting these demands and supporting successful rehabilitation.

What do you need to be a probation officer?

To become a probation officer, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, or a related field, along with relevant work experience or internships. A valid driver's license, background check, and sometimes certification or training are also required. Strong communication, decision-making skills, and knowledge of the legal system are essential for the role.

Is it hard to get hired as a probation officer?

Getting hired as a probation officer can be competitive, often requiring a relevant bachelor's degree, such as in criminal justice or social work, along with passing background checks and sometimes completing training or certification. Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of the legal system are also important for securing a position in this field.
More about Probation And Parole jobs
What cities are hiring for Probation And Parole jobs? Cities with the most Probation And Parole job openings:
What states have the most Probation And Parole jobs? States with the most job openings for Probation And Parole jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Probation And Parole jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Probation And Parole jobs are:
Probation And Parole jobs near you
Infographic showing various Probation And Parole job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,014 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Probation Parole Officer

State of Montana

Cascade, MT

$46K - $60K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago

State Of Montana rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 50 rated states

Job description

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER

PROBATION & PAROLE

GREAT FALLS, MT

The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you want to work making positive changes in your community, the Montana Department of Corrections is the place for you!

The Public Safety Division operates Montana's prisons safely and securely and provides supervision and support for offenders in the community through its Probation and Parole Bureau. The work performed in this division is integral to the department's mission to create a safer Montana through accountability, rehabilitation, and empowerment. Make a difference! Join us today!

The Probation and Parole Officer position, guided by the Department of Corrections (DOC) mission, plays a central role in managing the correctional population, promoting public safety and encouraging offenders to make positive life changing decisions for their future.

  • The officer cooperates with, and solicits information from, the public and criminal justice system and supervises and counsels 80-100 offenders.

  • Must have skills and abilities to equally balance social work and law enforcement duties.

  • The officer conducts pre-sentence investigations and makes placement recommendations concerning those offenders sentenced to DOC. These investigations are completed with cooperation from other criminal justices' agencies and by using investigative skills; knowledge of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to probation, parole, incarceration, rehabilitation and treatment programs, as well as knowledge of behavioral science.

  • The officer then makes recommendations for rehabilitation, treatment plans, conditions of probation, the need for incarceration, and appropriate level (i.e. local jail or Montana State Prison) to the District Court and Parole Board through a written pre-sentence investigation report.

  • Officers refer offenders to appropriate resources or programs using departments supervision standards, a risk and needs assessment as well as knowledge of state and community resources and monitors the progress of the client for compliance.

  • Officers investigate alleged violations of probation or parole using knowledge of policies & procedures pertaining to violations, search warrants & investigations.

  • Officers arrest and detain violators and testify in district court and information hearings relative to sentencing or revocation of client's probation or parole status.

  • Officers are trained to handle situations if probation & parole offenders or inmates become hostile & pose a physical threat. This requires the use of Oleoresin Capsicum "O.C. Spray" and firearms and carrying handcuffs.

  • Work is of the nature that Officers may work varying schedules to include nights and week-end hours and that the Officer may be called back to work at any hour of the day or night and be available 24/7 when called upon to assist any Department of Corrections Facility or Law Enforcement Agency. The Officer needs to physically make an arrest, defend selves, in high-risk volatile scenarios in and away from the office.

  • Travel for job may be required up to 10% of the time in addition to travel for training.

The hourly rate of this position includes the statutory increase, effective July 1, 2026, in accordance with HB13.

QUALIFICATIONS  

  • Probation and parole officers must have at least a college degree in a related field such as criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or guidance and counseling and some formal training in behavioral sciences.

  • Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the department. Related work experience in the areas listed in subsection (1)(b) may be substituted for educational requirements at the rate of 1 year of experience for 9 months formal education if approved by the department. All present employees are exempt from this requirement but are encouraged to further their education at the earliest opportunity.  (b)Work experience that may be substituted for the educational requirements in subsection (1)(a) includes experience in the areas of corrections/detention, criminology, education, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, law, law enforcement, social work, sociology, psychiatric nursing, or guidance and counseling.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER INFORMATION

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections.  In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must: 

  1. Be a citizen of the United States of America;

  2. Be at least 18 years of age;

  3. Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search;

  4. Not have been convicted of a crime for which s/he could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;

  5. Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen;

  6. Be a high school graduate or issued a GED or its equivalent; AND,

  7. Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver's license.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

  • Cover Letter

  • Resume

  • State of Montana Application

Applications missing required documentation will not be considered.

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.
BENEFITS

  • Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

  • State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

The Department of Corrections participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.  After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.   For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/.

NOTICES

Brady Act & Lautenberg Amendment - Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or is the subject of a court order of protection for "an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner" cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(91)). Candidates who have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or were issued a court order of protection are not qualified for this position.

Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 -  Any person who has 1) engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution; 2) been convicted of engaging in or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or 3) been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in activity as described in the latter, are not qualified for this position. 

Tobacco Free - The use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products and tobacco substitutes is prohibited in Department of Corrections buildings.  In secure care facilities possession of tobacco products is prohibited.

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