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Agency
Adult CorrectionDivision
Job Classification Title
Probation/Parole Officer (S)Position Number
Grade
PR07About Us
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!
Description of Work
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.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
**There was an update to the Salary Range Effective February 1,2026. The new salary range is $45,422 - $65,408
Salary Grade: NC07
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.
Note: In the Secondary questions, you will be asked to select the judicial district in which you would like to work. The counties located within each district are listed. *Jones County (district 4) is listed erroneously as Janes County. Hoke County (district 16) is listed as Hike County.
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution. You may apply and interview 90 days ahead of your anticipated graduation date.
There is no equivalency for the four-year degree requirement based on N.C. Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
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.
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.
Applications are valid for one year from the date of application. For a list of FAQs, click here: FAQs.
For more information about certification, please visit NC Department of Justice Correctional and Probation/Parole Officer Certification (ncdoj.gov).
Benefits
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
Click here to learn more about the valuable benefits offered to our employees.
Contact Information
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your Workday account. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.
If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact a Human Resources Professional at: ProbationParoleApplicant@dac.nc.gov
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Atchemsou Nicole Adjare SandaniEmail:
recruiters@dac.nc.gov
Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site
