How to become a probation and parole officer in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Corrections — Division of Community Correction (Probation and Parole) hires state probation and parole officers under the title Community Supervision Officer I (class SCL02P). New probation and parole officers start at $50,845 a year, rising to $75,251. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $50,845 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $75,251 |
| Scale effective | 2025-07-01 |
Pay grade LES02 (Law Enforcement and Safety table): minimum $50,845, midpoint $63,049, maximum $75,251. October 2026 postings list an anticipated starting salary of $50,844.98 and the same range. The class supervises both probationers and parolees; it replaced the older 'DCC Parole/Probation Officer' titles. No step schedule; the range is open.
Source:[sas.arkansas.gov]
Pay for this work across Arkansas
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Arkansas, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 850 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $37,030 |
| Median pay | $51,180 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $63,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, psychology, social work, or related field, OR two years of social services, human services, corrections, or law enforcement experience. Other job-related education and/or experience may substitute (except certification/licensure) on approval of the Qualifications Review Committee.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen (CLEST minimum standard for law enforcement officers)
- Valid driver's license
- Must be able to be certified as a specialized police officer by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) under A.C.A. 12-9-106 at one year of employment
- All DOC positions are safety-sensitive: random drug testing; medical marijuana use and medical marijuana cards prohibited
Source:[law.cornell.edu]
Hiring process
- Apply on ARCareers for a posted Community Supervision Officer I vacancy (by county/area office)
- Qualifications review
- Hire into a safety-sensitive position subject to drug testing
- Specialized police officer certification by CLEST within one year
Source:[arcareers.arkansas.gov]
Academy
Length not published. Posting requires CLEST specialized police officer certification at one year of employment; no official source found giving the length of the Division's probation/parole officer academy.[arcareers.arkansas.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) — Contributory Plan
- Benefit formula: 2.0% × final average compensation × years of contributory service (service on/after July 1, 2007), plus 0.5% for each month of service beyond 28 years
- When you can retire: Unreduced at age 65 with 5 years of actual service, or any age with 28 years of actual service; early (reduced) at age 55 with 5 years or any age with 25 years
Final average compensation for members first hired on/after July 1, 2022 uses the highest 5 years (per APERS handbook). No separate public-safety tier for community supervision officers found; no official source found confirming APERS membership specifically for this class.
Source:[apers.org]