Probation and parole officers in Nevada are responsible for providing pre-sentencing reports to courts and helping offenders learn how to become re-integrated into the local community, or documenting investigations and interviews detailing offender violations. Probation and parole officers (PPOs) must be able to work effectively with people from all walks of life; everyone from gang members, to sexual predators, drug addicts, white-collar offenders, and the mentally impaired. PPOs across the State of Nevada made an average annual salary of over $59,000 last year.
Sponsored School(s)
Education for Probation and Parole Officer Careers
There are a few ways to meet the education requirements for PPO jobs and careers in Nevada. Applicants can qualify by meeting any one of the following:
- A high school diploma or GED and two years of military service or employment dealing with the public, problem solving, and enforcement
- An associate’s degree in the fields of fire science, criminal justice, psychology, social work, or any other related field, plus one year’s work experience dealing with the public, problem solving, and regulation enforcement
- A bachelor’s degree in any of the previously mentioned fields, public administration, or a related subject area
- A combination of education and work or military experience
- The Nevada Department of Public Safety gives additional preference to applicants who have related experience and fluency in a foreign language, especially Spanish
How to Apply
The application process for becoming a PPO in Nevada is extensive- it is the same process as the Nevada Highway Patrol and Nevada Capital Police. This involves:
- Background investigation
- Physical fitness exam: jumping, sprinting, push-ups, running, sit-ups
- Written examination: Logical thinking, English skills in writing and speaking, reading comprehension, communication, and ethical behavior
- Drug and polygraph test
- Physical examination
- Having a mostly clean criminal history, driving record, and history of drug use
Candidates can begin the application process for PPO jobs and careers by reading over the job description and detailed information, and then applying online, first creating an online profile with the Nevada Employee Action and Timekeeping System (NVAAPS).
Probation and Parole Officer Training
Within the first year of being hired, New PPOs attend 480 hours of field and classroom-based training, covering such topics as:
- Organization and history of the criminal justice system
- Nevada Revised Statutes
- District or department policies and procedures
- Ethics, personal matters, and efficiency
- Pre-sentence investigation training
- Liability and legal issues
- Caseload supervision and management, including:
- Program referrals
- Parole board and prison topics
- Domestic relations and crisis intervention
- Report writing
- Agency file setup
PPOs are also trained for certification as Peace Officers, the same certification awarded to police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers. This training involves 650 hours in:
- Firearms and the use of deadly force
- Prisoner handcuffing and control
- Arrest procedures
- Self-defense tactics
- Officer survival
- Gangs, organized crime, and drugs
- Defensive driving
- Cultural issues and awareness
- Search and seizure
- Evidence control
PPOs must also stay up to date by attending quarterly and annual continuing education courses. These include:
- Weapons training and firearms updates
- 24 hours of yearly refresher courses for Peace Officers