New Mexico probation and parole officers are a vital link between the criminal justice system and wider society. Probation and parole officers (PPOs) play a key role in teaching offenders how to become responsible members of society by making the transition from criminal to citizen. 96 percent of New Mexico offenders who are convicted and sentenced to prison time eventually return to society, and PPOs benefit both the offenders and law abiding citizens during the rehabilitation process.
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Last year PPOs in New Mexico made an average annual salary of $36,200. The starting salary for new hires is $14.68, and can go up depending on experience.
Required Education for Probation and Parole Officers in New Mexico
The State of New Mexico requires its probation and parole officers to have a bachelor’s degree in any field of education, with at least 15 semester-hours or a major in psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, police science/criminal justice, and/or social work. No previous experience is required for the position, which is open to applicants with:
- U.S. citizenship
- No felony convictions
- Ability to pass a physical test including:
- One-mile run
- Sit-ups
- Push-ups
- Ability to pass the training academy, which includes:
- Defensive tactics
- First aid and CPR
- Classroom training including New Mexico Statutes
How to Apply for Probation and Parole Officer Jobs in New Mexico
Candidates interested in filling out an application to become probation and parole officers should first check the State Personnel Office’s online jobs directory for Probation and Parole officer jobs in New Mexico. If there are no current openings, candidates can fill out a job interest card to be notified when vacancies become available. When filling out an application, the candidate must create an online profile and fill in all required fields of the form. The human resources office will contact the applicant with news of successful or failed application attempts.
Continuing Education for New Mexico’s PPOs
New Mexico requires its PPOs to stay current with the latest relevant developments in their career fields by attending mandatory continuing training and education classes. These are offered in areas such as:
- Gangs
- Special populations
- Proactive supervision techniques
- Officer safety
- Interview strategies
What to Expect from Probation and Parole Officer Careers in New Mexico
PPOs in New Mexico work with professional and ideologically motivated colleagues from different parts of the criminal justice system. They also work with offenders who have broken laws ranging from petty theft, drug abuse, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), violent crimes, and sex crimes, to white collar crimes such as embezzlement and money laundering. Some offenders may be strongly motivated to rehabilitate themselves back into normal society, while PPOs may need to arrest others for violations. The job description for PPOs in New Mexico includes:
- Monitoring court order compliance
- Community resource referral and management
- Developing specialized treatment and supervision plans for offenders with unique needs
- Making accurate criminal risk assessments that determine the level of care an offender requires
- Conduct court investigations relating to pre-sentencing, pleas, requests for pardons and clemency, and early discharge