Probation Parole Officer

State of Montana•Sidney, MT

12h

About The Position

The Montana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Officer works to promote public safety and help offenders make positive decisions through accountability, rehabilitation, and empowerment. The officer supervises and counsels a caseload of 80–100 offenders, balancing social work and law enforcement responsibilities while working with the public and criminal justice agencies. 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 potential incarceration. Officers connect offenders with appropriate community resources and 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 must be prepared to respond to hostile or physically threatening situations, including making arrests and defending themselves in high-risk scenarios. The role may involve varying schedules, nights and weekends, call-backs at any hour, and availability 24/7 when called upon to assist a DOC facility or law enforcement agency. Job-related travel may be required up to 10% of the time, in addition to training travel. The position requires POST Basic Certification following training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successful completion of one year of employment with the Department of Corrections. Applicants must also meet the stated education or approved work-experience substitution requirements, pass the Montana Physical Abilities Test, and satisfy the listed public safety officer eligibility requirements.

Requirements

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. Related work experience in specified fields may substitute for education at the rate of one year of experience for nine months of formal education if approved by the department.
Successfully complete the Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) with a time of 6 minutes 30 seconds or below. A qualifying score from an MPAT completed within the last six months may be considered.
Obtain POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections.
Be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age.
Submit to fingerprinting for a criminal history search and a thorough background screen; be of good moral character.
Have no conviction for a crime for which imprisonment in a federal or state penitentiary could have been imposed.
Be a high school graduate or hold a GED or equivalent.
Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver's license.
Meet the stated disqualifying conditions concerning felony or domestic-violence convictions and protective orders, as well as the Prison Rape Elimination Act criteria.
Be able to handle hostile situations and physical threats, make arrests, and defend oneself in high-risk scenarios.

Responsibilities

Supervise and counsel a caseload of 80–100 offenders, balancing social work and law enforcement duties.
Cooperate with the public and criminal justice system and solicit relevant information.
Conduct pre-sentence investigations and prepare written reports with placement and sentencing recommendations for the District Court and Parole Board.
Recommend rehabilitation and treatment plans, probation conditions, whether incarceration is needed, and an appropriate level of incarceration.
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 and testify in district court and information hearings concerning sentencing or revocation.
Respond to hostile or physically threatening situations, including making arrests and defending oneself in high-risk scenarios.
Be available to assist DOC facilities or law enforcement agencies when called upon.