There are a number of career opportunities for parole officers in Charleston, West Virginia, thanks to the Parole Services many programs, including an electronic monitoring program that includes alcohol testing, GPS supervision, and home confinement.
Parole officers may also work through the Enhanced Supervision program for sex offenders and violent offenders, and they often collaborate with local law enforcement officials, as well as drug task forces and the U.S. Marshal Services, to supervise offenders throughout the state.
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Charleston, West Virginia Parole Officer Jobs: Minimum Requirements
Individuals interested in Charleston parole officer jobs must meet the minimum requirements set forth by the West Virginia Parole Board, which include:
- A bachelor’s degree from a 4-year accredited college or university in one of the following fields: psychology, criminal justice, sociology, social work, corrections, or a closely related field
- A valid West Virginia driver’s license
- At least 21 years old
Further, all candidates for parole officer jobs in Charleston, West Virginia, must be a United States citizen, and they must be able to successfully pass a criminal record check. Parole officers in West Virginia must be willing to reside and serve anywhere throughout the state.
How to Become a Parole Officer in Charleston through Training
New parole officers in Charleston must attend 5 weeks of pre-service training at the West Virginia Corrections Academy in Ripley, West Virginia. New parole officers must be able to maintain a score of 70 percent on their written examinations throughout Academy training.
Some of the coursework covered during pre-service Academy training includes:
- Non-lethal use of force
- OC certification
- Use of deadly force
- Contact/cover search
- Legal issues
- Defensive tactics
- Seizure
Officers must also attend annual, in-service training every year. Parole officers must complete at least 40 hours of annual training, and all officers are encouraged to attend seminars, graduate school, or closely related training.
Parole Office Locations in the South Central Region of West Virginia
West Virginia is divided into 2 parole districts (Northern and Southern) and 6 parole regions, with Charleston located in the south central region. There are 42 parole officers throughout the state, which includes 6 regional directors, 7 enhanced supervision officers, and 1 re-entry coordinator. As of April 2011, there were 2,509 active parole cases in West Virginia.
Parole officers in Charleston, West Virginia, provide parole supervision through Parole Services, an agency within the West Virginia Division of Corrections (WVDOC). Charleston, West Virginia, is the site of the Northern District Supervisor and the regional offices of the south central region. The parole officers in the south central region are assigned different cities/towns/counties of the region, which include the following: