How to become a probation and parole officer in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) hires state probation and parole officers under the title Community Supervision Officer 1 (job code PSP000). New probation and parole officers start at $55,083 a year. You must be at least 18.
Pay
| Starting salary | $55,083 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
From the Department of Community Supervision's own applicant portal (closed posting).
Source:[dcsga.applicantstack.com]
Pay for this work across Georgia
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Georgia, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,650 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $45,280 |
| Median pay | $60,270 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $71,570 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and must meet the prerequisites and complete the Basic Community Supervision Officer Training (BCSOT) certification
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen (Georgia POST peace officer standard)
- Sworn positions: any felony conviction disqualifies (completed First Offender sentences excepted)
- Disqualifiers include pending charges, a pattern of misdemeanors (none in last 3 years or 3 in last 10), DUI or serious traffic offense in the past 3 years, 5+ moving violations in 2 years, illegal drug use in the past 12 months, and falsifying application or polygraph information
- Financial responsibility reviewed (debts, garnishments, tax liability, delinquent student loans) for applicable positions
- Failure to meet required educational or professional licensing or certification is disqualifying
Source:[djj.georgia.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply for a posted DCS Community Supervision Officer position on Team Georgia Careers / DCS applicant portal
- Preliminary interview questionnaires; polygraph and/or Digital Voice Stress Analysis examination
- Background investigation (criminal, driving, drug use, finances) and psychological examination
- Medical clearance
- Eight-week POST basic probation/parole course (BCSOT) at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, then Field Training Officer program
Source:[dcs.georgia.gov]
Academy
8 weeks. 'All Community Supervision Officers attend the eight-week Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic probation/parole course held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center located in Forsyth, Georgia.' Topics include arrest procedures, defensive tactics and handgun qualification. 20 hours of continuing education per year for sworn employees.[dcs.georgia.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Employees' Retirement System of Georgia (ERS) — GSEPS (Tier 3) hybrid: pension plus Peach State Reserves 401(k)
- Benefit formula: Formula salary × 1% benefit formula factor × creditable service
- When you can retire: Certain law enforcement positions (Community Supervision Ofc 1, PSP000, is on ERS's law enforcement job-code list): age 55 with at least 10 years of creditable service. General: age 60 with 10 years, or 30 years at any age; early retirement with 25-29 years reduced 7% per year.
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Members hired on/after Jan 1, 2009 are in GSEPS and contribute 1.25% to the pension. 401(k): dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%; since July 1, 2026 eligible law enforcement officers contributing 5%+ get a rising match from 7% at 6 years to 15% at 10+ years. ERS describes total benefits as 'pension, 401(k), and Social Security benefits'. LE job-code list: https://www.ers.ga.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/le_retirement_job_codes_6.25.2026.pdf
Source:[ers.ga.gov]