In a recent year there were just over 2,700 young adults in the Louisiana juvenile probation system, and out of the entire juvenile justice system, 13 percent of adjudicated juveniles re-offended within one year.
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It is one of the principal goals of the probation and parole officer (PPO) to reduce the rate of recidivism. They do this by working closely with the juvenile offender, making sure he or she follows the terms of probation and showing the probationer how to become reintegrated back into a law-abiding society.
Over a recent 10-year period Louisiana has seen a drop in their youth incarceration rate, thanks in part to the valuable work of PPOs.
Entry-level salaries start at $25,752 annually.
Education and Other Requirements for Juvenile Probation and Parole Officers
in Louisiana
Candidates for PPO jobs and careers in the State of Louisiana should have either a bachelor’s degree in any field, including psychology, criminal justice, or social work, or they may have six years of full-time work experience in any field. Education and experience can be combined to fulfill the work experience requirement as follows: 30-59 semester hours of credit equals one year of work experience, with additional years added by increments of 30 credits, to a limit of four years being substituted by 120 or more credits. No previous experience or training is required.
Candidates must also meet the following special requirements to be considered for juvenile PPO careers:
- No felony or domestic violence convictions
- Valid Louisiana driver’s license by the time of hire
- Able and willing to legally carry and use a firearm
- Willing to complete the Corrections Juvenile Services-Agent Curriculum during training
- Ability to legally work in the United States
How to Apply for Louisiana PPO Jobs
Interested candidates for PPO jobs can apply by monitoring the State’s civil service website for any openings for Probation and Parole Officer 1—Juvenile positions. If there are no current vacancies, candidates interested in learning how to become a juvenile probation and parole officer in Louisiana can fill out an online job notification card to be informed via email when the position becomes available.
New hires will need to complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training certification course that includes 120 hours of training over a three-week period. PPOs will receive additional on-the-job training, and after their first year will need to complete 40 hours of continuing education and training annually.
Duties and Expectations of PPO Jobs in Louisiana
The probation and parole officer (PPO) wants to make sure the juvenile offender to which they are assigned is successfully rehabilitated and does not have to return to the juvenile justice system, while at the same time taking an uncompromising stance that holds the offender to each and every term of probation. The PPO also has certain court duties to perform, informing the judiciary about the juvenile offender’s specific circumstances and legal decisions. This dual role requires PPOs to be able to meet the following job duties:
- Recommend probation and parole conditions
- Complete background investigations and pre-dispositional investigations on juvenile offenders
- Develop an Individual Service Plan (ISP) with the juvenile offender and his or her parents or guardians, incorporating the decisions of the court, as to the best path to rehabilitation
- Administer drug tests
- Coordinate services that provide vocation, education, and treatment services for the juvenile offender that fit each individual situation
- Implement and develop plans with juvenile offenders and their support structure for aftercare support to ensure there will be a low chance of re-offense