Parole Officers

Employers

Most parole officers are employed by state or county correctional departments. Other parole officers are federal employees. Probation officers generally work for the courts. Halfway houses and work-release centers also hire parole and probation officers. Approximately 91,600 workers are employed as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in the United States.

Starting Out

After fulfilling the necessary requirements, many enter the field by directly contacting local civil service offices or county, state, or federal parole boards. In some areas, applicants are required to take a civil service examination, pass a background check, and physical exam.

Contacts leading to employment are sometimes made during internships at a rehabilitation center or other organizations. Parole officer positions are also advertised on job sites, such as Indeed.com, or on the agency's Web site. Greater opportunities exist for applicants with a master's degree and for those who are willing to relocate. Many parole officers are former police and corrections officers who have gained additional training.