How to become a probation and parole officer in Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Correction — Parole and Community Services Division hires state probation and parole officers under the title Parole Officer 1. New probation and parole officers start at $82,928 a year, rising to $108,110.
Pay
| Starting salary | $82,928 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $108,110 |
| Scale effective | 2026-10-22 |
Salary range as printed on the DAS job opening (recruitment 261021-7373CP-001, opened 10/22/2026). Step timing not stated. A Parole Officer Trainee class also exists (two years as trainee substitutes for the PO1 experience requirement); PO1s move to Parole Officer 2 after at least one year. Adult probation in Connecticut is a separate state employer: the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division (no current probation officer posting was available to source).
Source:[jobapscloud.com]
Pay for this work across Connecticut
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Connecticut, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 1,200 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $68,330 |
| Median pay | $97,350 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $126,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: Six years of experience in case management or community supervision in parole, probation, rehabilitation counseling or social work in a correctional or community setting under DOC or the criminal justice system. College training in counseling, criminal justice, human services, psychology, sociology, social work or a closely related field substitutes at 15 semester hours = half a year, up to four years for a bachelor's degree; a related master's substitutes for one more year; two years as a Parole Officer Trainee substitutes for the general experience.
- Valid motor vehicle operator license
- Obtain and maintain certification to carry and use weapons, including firearms and chemical agents
- Obtain and maintain NCIC/COLLECT certification
- May be required to complete a formal training course in correctional work
- Thorough background investigation may be made before certification for appointment
- General good health; on-call duty
Source:[jobapscloud.com]
Hiring process
- Apply online through the State of Connecticut Online Employment Center (JobAps) by the close date
- Complete referral questions / supply additional documents if requested after the posting closes
- Interview (limited to applicants whose experience best matches)
- Reference checks and background investigation
- Conditional offer, then medical examination including controlled-substance screening
- Appointment; at least one year as Parole Officer 1 before reclassification to Parole Officer 2
Source:[jobapscloud.com]
Academy
Length not published. Class spec: incumbents may be required to complete a formal training course in correctional work; length not stated.[jobapscloud.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) — Tier IV (hybrid DB + DC)
- Benefit formula: Hazardous duty: 2.5% × average salary × hazardous-duty service for the first 20 years, plus 2% for the next 5 years, plus 2% for all service beyond 25 years (normal Tier IV formula 1.3% × service × average salary if not retiring under hazardous duty)
- When you can retire: Hazardous duty retirement after 25 years of date-to-date State service in hazardous duty positions (any age); otherwise normal at 65, or 63 with 25 years vesting; early from 58 with 10 years (0.5%/month reduction)
Source:[osc.ct.gov]