Cleveland Region - Parole Officer Continuous Posting 2026

State of Ohio • Cleveland, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is looking for a dedicated, security-minded professional to assume the responsibilities of a Parole Officer in the Cleveland Region, which includes the counties of Cuyahoga, Erie, Lorain, and Medina. This role involves overseeing offenders, utilizing evidence-based supervision practices, conducting assessments, developing case plans, and ensuring compliance with supervision terms. The position requires a commitment to reducing recidivism and helping individuals become productive members of the community. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is a drug-free and tobacco-free workplace, and all final applicants will be subject to pre-employment drug testing and background investigations.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution AND 2 years of experience in criminal justice, corrections, law enforcement, social service, or a related field.
• Must have no legal prohibition against carrying firearms.
• Valid driver’s license.
• OR Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
• Applicants for positions in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction must also successfully pass a parole officer assessment or have successfully completed one within the past 12 months.
• OR applicants must be current employees with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction who have previously been certified as a parole officer.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Criminology/Criminal Justice.

Responsibilities

• Oversees offenders under general supervision.
• Interviews, visits, and observes offenders at their residence, work site, or other community locations.
• Utilizes evidence-based supervision practices to facilitate behavioral change in offenders.
• Obtains certification in the Ohio Risk Assessment System and completes offender risk assessments.
• Interviews offenders and reviews documents, records, and reports to develop case plans with offenders to address identified risk factors.
• Maintains and reviews case plans with offenders throughout the supervision period to gauge progress.
• Provides individual and group advice through listening, speaking, and providing written instructions to offenders.
• Conducts visual and auditory surveillance, including operating electronic monitor equipment.
• Performs drug testing by collecting and transporting specimens or using drug kit procedures, maintaining a written chain of evidence.
• Conducts DNA testing as prescribed by statute.
• Finds employment and vocational opportunities for offenders by making referrals to community service agencies.
• Maintains contact with offender families, friends, employers, and others by interviewing, observing behaviors, and reviewing written documents and records.
• Develops sound caseload management involving analysis of caseload and making necessary community referrals.
• Oversees caseloads requiring special training for substance abusers, drug offenders, sex offenders, special releasees, and special needs offenders.
• Conducts and completes placement, arrest, and violation investigations by interviewing individuals and understanding technical information from medical, psychological, law enforcement, and legal documents.
• Completes appropriate reports of investigations using a personal computer, writing, or dictation, making correctional recommendations for judges, parole administrators, or parole board members.
• Updates and uses records through field officer tools (FOT) to record offender case activity and officer activity.
• Travels to offender homes, places of employment, jails, and courts using a personal or state vehicle.
• Prepares information and initiates packets for Parole Board Hearings.
• Screens inmates to determine eligibility and makes recommendations for transfer into transitional control programs.
• Responds in writing to inmate inquiries.
• Conducts and completes clemency and other investigations.
• Facilitates special hearings (e.g., clemency, full board) when needed.
• Completes and delivers written arrest, hold, and release orders.
• Secures and delivers search warrants and subpoenas to jails and law enforcement, correctional, and court agencies.
• Pursues declared violators-at-large, arrests violators, and conducts search and seizure of contraband, which may involve physical exertion and the use of force or restraining devices.
• Develops and presents cases at revocation hearings.
• Collects evidence.
• Organizes written documents, records, and reports.
• Examines and cross-examines witnesses.
• Testifies as required.
• Operates a personal or state vehicle to transport witnesses, violators, or other releases.
• Provides work direction and trains staff as necessary through orientation, on-the-job training, and in-service training.
• Completes lesson plans and documents training activities.
• Oversees outpost offices with less experienced staff.
• Completes background investigations on prospective employees.
• Develops working relationships with community agencies, citizen groups, and criminal justice agencies.
• Writes or dictates speeches and presentations for authorized speaking engagements.
• Participates on community councils and committees.
• Functions on an inter-agency level as a coordinator with halfway houses and prevention programs.
• Acts as a liaison with state hospitals to accomplish appropriate services for clients.
• Presents pre-release programs at penal institutions.
• Travels to and participates in staff meetings, conferences, and training sessions.
• Conducts themselves professionally and in a law-abiding manner at all times.
• Obtains certification in the Ohio Risk Assessment System and completes offender risk assessments as directed.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS)
• Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree