How to become a probation and parole officer in Alaska

Pay

ASEA General Government (GP-100, 37.5 hrs/week) schedule effective 7/1/26: APO 1 is Range 15, Step A $29.64/hr = $2,223.00 biweekly × 26 = $57,798. APO 2B is Range 18; the schedule's top longevity step (Z) is $77.97/hr = $5,847.75 biweekly × 26 = $152,041.50 (regular merit steps run A-F; R18 Step F = $3,265.50 biweekly, $84,903/yr). Rural posts pay more via geographic differential (e.g. Nome posting $40.61-$50.25/hr, Bethel $44.46-$55.02/hr). DOC says a PO I advances to PO II after 12-14 months of probationary service and APSC certification. Officers supervise both felony probationers and parolees.

Source:[doa.alaska.gov]

Pay for this work across Alaska

Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Alaska, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]

Requirements

• Minimum age: 21
• Education: APO 1: bachelor's degree from an accredited college in any field; OR four years of paraprofessional experience in probation, parole, pretrial, criminal justice, juvenile justice, social services, corrections, criminal investigation, public safety or law enforcement; OR four years of any combination of postsecondary education and such experience (2.67 semester or 4 quarter hours = one month). All levels also need a high school or home school diploma or GED.
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen or U.S. national
• Valid U.S. driver's license at time of appointment
• Obtain an Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) basic certificate within 14 months of hire as a condition of continued employment
• No felony or misdemeanor domestic-violence conviction; no conviction in past 10 years for dishonesty/moral turpitude, serious-injury crimes, or two or more DUIs
• Drug-use lookbacks (e.g. no marijuana use in the last year if 21+)
• Positions that carry a firearm require firearms proficiency qualification
• Notarized F-3 Personal History Statement; conditional offer contingent on background investigation, drug screen, medical exam and psychological evaluation

Source:[governmentjobs.com]

Hiring process

1. Apply on Workplace Alaska (governmentjobs.com) for a posted Adult Probation Officer 1/2B vacancy
2. Submit notarized F-3 Personal History Statement and background packet
3. Interview (provide three most recent supervisors' contacts)
4. Conditional job offer
5. Background investigation, drug screening, medical examination and psychological evaluation
6. Paid seven-week DOC training academy; APSC certification within 14 months

Source:[governmentjobs.com]

Academy

7 weeks, paid. DOC: 'Pretrial, Probation & Parole Officers are paid to attend a seven-week Training Academy.' Advancement to APO 2B requires completing the Department's Probation Officer Academy and Field Training Manual.[doc.alaska.gov]

Pension and retirement

• Plan: Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) — Defined Contribution Retirement (DCR) Plan (Tier IV)
• When you can retire: No pension formula: individual account. Employee contributes 8% of gross eligible pay, PERS employer adds 5% (13% total); employer share vests 25% after 2 years, 50% after 3, 75% after 4, 100% after 5. DCR retiree health requires 25 years of membership service as a peace officer or firefighter (30 years, or 10 years and Medicare age, for others).
• Social Security: no, this job is not covered

Employees first entering PERS after June 30, 2006 are automatically in the DCR Plan (per DRB). No DRB source found stating whether probation officers count as 'peace officers' for the DCR retiree-health rule.

Source:[drb.alaska.gov]