How to become a probation and parole officer in Nevada
The Nevada Department of Public Safety (DPS), Division of Parole and Probation hires state probation and parole officers under the title DPS Officer (entry as DPS Officer Cadet, class 13.208; assigned to Parole & Probation). New probation and parole officers start at $76,609 a year, rising to $114,694. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $76,609 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $114,694 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
Grade 39, steps 1 to 10, of the state pay schedule effective July 1, 2026. New officers enter as DPS Officer Cadets.
Source:[hr.nv.gov]
Pay for this work across Nevada
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Nevada, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 780 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $54,720 |
| Median pay | $75,840 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $95,150 |
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 education (no college degree required).
- Must be 21 or older
- Must complete a Nevada P.O.S.T. academy and earn Category I Peace Officer certification (DPS Officer 1 requires it)
- Valid Nevada driver's license may be required
- Pre-employment drug screening (NAC 284.4066) and background check
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Hiring process
- Apply online to the DPS Officer Cadet recruitment (North or South)
- POST Category I physical fitness exam
- Written exam
- Polygraph
- Extensive background investigation
- Pre-employment drug screening
- Medical exam
- Psychological exam
- Nevada P.O.S.T. academy as a paid Cadet; promoted to DPS Officer 1 on graduation
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Entrance exam
DPS Officer written exam + POST Category I physical fitness test. PFT entry minimums: vertical jump 11.5 in; agility run 23.4 s; 24 sit-ups in 1 min; 18 push-ups; 300 m in 82 s; 1.5 mi in 20:20. Academy standards are higher (14 in; 19.5 s; 30; 23; 68 s; 16.57 min).[governmentjobs.com]
Academy
30 weeks, paid.[nevadastatepolice.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (NVPERS), Police/Fire
- Benefit formula: 2.5% per year of service × highest 36-month average compensation (each 12-month period may not rise more than 10% unless promotion/assignment related) — Police/Fire members enrolled on or after 7/1/2015
- When you can retire: Unreduced: 5 years at age 65, 10 years at age 60, 20 years at age 50, or 30 years at any age; early retirement reduced 6% per year under full retirement age. Vested after 5 years.
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
The posting states employees participate in Nevada PERS and do not contribute to Social Security. Placement of DPS Officers in the Police/Fire fund is not stated in the posting; Police/Fire terms shown from the NVPERS Police & Fire Summary Plan Description.
Source:[nvpers.org]