How to become a probation and parole officer in New Mexico
The New Mexico Corrections Department, Probation and Parole Division hires state probation and parole officers under the title Probation & Parole Officer (job code G10901). New probation and parole officers start at $51,755 a year, rising to $77,633.
Pay
| Starting salary | $51,755 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $77,633 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-04 |
SPO Job Catalog (eff. 08/02/2025) places Probation & Parole Officer G10901 at grade 6 (Technical, T2 - Intermediate). FY27 classified salary schedule CLSS grade C6: $24.88/hr min ($51,755/yr) to $37.32/hr max ($77,633/yr), midpoint $31.10/hr ($64,694). Range minimum/maximum, not steps; actual hiring rate is set per posting. Position covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Source:[spo.state.nm.us]
Pay for this work across New Mexico
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in New Mexico, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 620 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $54,640 |
| Median pay | $66,000 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $86,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: An Associate Degree from an accredited college or university in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related field. Education and experience totaling two years may substitute, where experience is in behavioral case management, law enforcement (commissioned, non-commissioned or military), Probation Officer of the Courts, Disciplinary Hearing Officer, Administrative Law Judge, or Adult or Juvenile Correctional Officer.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Valid New Mexico driver's license or ability to obtain one
- No felony convictions; no domestic violence convictions
- Pass background check, psychological evaluation, medical assessment and drug urinalysis
- Complete NMCD Basic Probation and Parole Officer Certification Training within twelve months of hire, with annual re-certification
- Pass the physical agility test at academy graduation
Source:[cd.nm.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply through the State Personnel Office website for the posting location(s) you want
- Application review; selected applicants interview with the Office Supervisor
- Referral to the New Mexico Corrections Training Academy (Santa Fe) for pre-employment screening: document processing, fingerprinting, interview, written psychological assessment and psychological interview
- Background, medical and drug screening
- Basic Probation and Parole Officer academy
Source:[cd.nm.gov]
Academy
6 weeks. New Mexico Corrections Training Academy basic course: coursework and practicals incl. physical training, offender management, CPR, TASER and baton. Certification must be completed within 12 months of hire.[cd.nm.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico (PERA), State Public Safety Member Coverage Plan 1
- Benefit formula: 3.0% of final average salary x years of credited service, max 100% of FAS (Tier 2 FAS = highest 60 consecutive months)
- When you can retire: Tier 2 (hired on/after July 1, 2013) State Public Safety Plan 1: age 60 or older with 5 or more years of service credit, or any age with 25 or more years of service credit; vested at 5 years
Source:[nmpera.org]