How to become a probation and parole officer in Maine
The Maine Department of Corrections, Adult Community Corrections hires state probation and parole officers under the title Probation Officer (class 5270). New probation and parole officers start at $59,322 a year, rising to $81,578. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $59,322 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $81,578 |
| Scale effective | 2026-06-28 |
Range 23 on Salary Specification 20 (Law Enforcement - Special Retirement), effective June 28, 2026: Step 1 $28.52/hr ($59,321.60/yr) to Step 9 $39.22/hr ($81,577.60/yr), annual figures as printed by the Bureau of Human Resources. Time between steps not stated.
Source:[maine.gov]
Pay for this work across Maine
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Maine, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 160 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $53,790 |
| Median pay | $71,140 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $73,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High School Diploma or equivalent (HiSET, GED, etc.), plus education, training, internships, volunteer experience, or work experience performing duties related to at least one of: probation/parole, public safety, military, or social services. Preference to candidates with a degree in criminal justice, criminology, social sciences, psychology, or a related field.
- Class C Maine driver's license before attaining permanent status
- Background checks: Triple I fingerprint, criminal history, juvenile history report, DHHS history review
- Complete a Maine Criminal Justice Academy board-approved basic probation and parole training course within the first 12 months of employment (25 M.R.S. §2804-M)
Source:[maine.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply online; HR reviews the application and forwards qualified packets to the hiring manager
- Oral board interview with three or more experienced staff
- Conditional job offer contingent on background checks (fingerprint, criminal, juvenile and DHHS history)
- Second interview if more than one top candidate; formal job offer
- 8-week Adult Community Corrections Academy, then field training
Source:[maine.gov]
Academy
8 weeks. 8-week MDOC Adult Community Corrections Academy based in Augusta, including firearms training and OC spray exposure; graduates become sworn probation officers, then work with a Field Training Officer for generally 6 months or more. MDOC covers overnight stays for those traveling significant distances. Class is direct hire (no exam).[maine.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), 1998 Special Plan
- Benefit formula: 2% of average final compensation (average of three highest years of earnable compensation) for each year of service in a covered position
- When you can retire: Age 55 with 10 years, or 25 years in a covered position
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
5 M.R.S. §17851-A(1)(I) covers Department of Corrections employees hired on or after January 1, 2000 whose duties involve contact with probationers or parolees. Member contribution 8.65% for the first 25 years under the plan, 7.65% thereafter. MainePERS: state employees contribute to MainePERS instead of Social Security.
Source:[legislature.maine.gov]