Probation Parole Officer

State of Montana•Billings, MT

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Probation and Parole Officer works for the Montana Department of Corrections’ Probation and Parole Bureau to manage the correctional population, promote public safety, and encourage offenders to make positive life changes. The officer cooperates with the public and criminal justice system and supervises and counsels 80–100 offenders, balancing social work and law enforcement responsibilities. The role includes conducting pre-sentence investigations and preparing written reports with recommendations to the District Court and Parole Board regarding placement, rehabilitation, treatment plans, probation conditions, and possible incarceration. Officers connect offenders with appropriate state and community resources or programs, assess risk and needs, and monitor compliance and progress. They also investigate alleged probation or parole violations, arrest and detain violators, and testify in court and information hearings. Officers are trained to respond to hostile or physically threatening situations, including using Oleoresin Capsicum spray and firearms and carrying handcuffs. Work may involve varying schedules, nights, weekends, call-back at any hour, and availability 24/7 when called upon to assist a Department of Corrections facility or law enforcement agency. The role may require physical arrests and self-defense in high-risk situations in and away from the office. Job-related travel may be required up to 25% of the time, in addition to training travel. The position requires a related college degree and formal behavioral-sciences training, subject to approved substitutions for related work experience. POST Basic Certification is required after academy training and successful completion of one year of employment with the Department of Corrections. Applicants must also meet specified citizenship, age, background, education, and Montana driver’s license eligibility requirements.

Requirements

A college degree in a related field, such as criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or guidance and counseling, and formal training in behavioral sciences. Related work experience may substitute for education at a rate of one year of experience for nine months of formal education, if approved by the department.
POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections.
U.S. citizenship and at least 18 years of age.
Fingerprinting for a criminal history search and a background screen establishing good moral character.
No conviction for a crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal or state penitentiary.
High school graduation, GED, or equivalent.
Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.
Ability to handle hostile and physically threatening situations; the role involves physical arrests and self-defense in high-risk scenarios.
Applicants disqualified under the Brady Act and Lautenberg Amendment or the Prison Rape Elimination Act are not qualified for the position.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and State of Montana Application.

Responsibilities

Supervise and counsel 80–100 offenders while balancing social work and law enforcement duties.
Cooperate with and solicit information from the public and the criminal justice system.
Conduct pre-sentence investigations and prepare written reports with placement, rehabilitation, treatment, probation-condition, and incarceration recommendations for the District Court and Parole Board.
Refer offenders to appropriate resources and programs using supervision standards, risk and needs assessments, and knowledge of state and community resources.
Monitor offenders’ progress and compliance.
Investigate alleged probation or parole violations.
Arrest and detain violators.
Testify in district court and information hearings concerning sentencing or revocation of probation or parole.
Respond to hostile or physically threatening situations, including making arrests and defending oneself in high-risk scenarios.
Be available to assist Department of Corrections facilities or law enforcement agencies when called upon.