How to become a probation and parole officer in New York
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), Community Supervision hires state probation and parole officers under the title Parole Officer Trainee 1 (equated to SG-13); full title Parole Officer (SG-21). New probation and parole officers start at $53,132 a year, rising to $103,513. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $53,132 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $103,513 |
| Scale effective | 2026-03-26 |
Trainee starting pay; the top figure is the Parole Officer (grade 21) job rate after traineeship. PS&T schedule dated March 26, 2026.
Source:[legislation.nysenate.gov]
Pay for this work across New York
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in New York, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 4,360 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $54,560 |
| Median pay | $80,350 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $102,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (candidates expecting the degree by the stated date may sit for the written test).
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- New York State resident at time of appointment and for continued employment
- Valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at appointment and continuously thereafter
- Vision not less than 20/30 with or without correction, acceptable color perception, satisfactory speech and hearing; medical exam
- Psychological evaluation, drug screening, fingerprinting and character investigation; felony conviction bars appointment
- Must be trained in the handling and discharge of firearms
- Adult probation is run by counties; county officers must meet the class specifications set by the Division of Criminal Justice Services in 9 NYCRR Part 347, Appendix H-10 (Bachelor's degree with at least 30 credit hours in social or behavioral sciences) and complete the MPTC-approved Basic Course for Peace Officers (minimum 6 weeks) before the end of the one-year traineeship (per Erie County posting citing the DCJS rule)
Source:[cs.ny.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply for the Parole Officer Trainee 1 civil service exam, or apply to a StateJobsNY posting filled through NY HELPS (no exam)
- Pass the written test (exam route)
- Canvass from the eligible list
- Medical exam, job-task testing, psychological evaluation, drug screening, fingerprinting and character investigation
- Appointment as Parole Officer Trainee 1 and approximately ten-week peace officer training program
Source:[cs.ny.gov]
Entrance exam
Parole Officer Trainee 1 written test (NYS Department of Civil Service). Written test must be passed to be considered for appointment. Archived announcements 00-144010 (2008, open-competitive) and 00-360010 (2017, transition); the GOT-IT title page also lists exam 26-191010.[cs.ny.gov]
Academy
10 weeks, paid. "Approximately ten week training program" (peace officer training) mandatory for continued employment, including firearms training.[careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (NYSLRS ERS), Tier 6
- Benefit formula: 1.66% of final average earnings per year with under 20 years; 1.75% per year (35%) at exactly 20 years; plus 2% for each year over 20
- When you can retire: Most Tier 6 members eligible for service retirement at age 63; may retire as early as age 55 with a reduced benefit; vested after 5 years. Final average earnings = average of highest three consecutive years.
Source:[nyretirementnews.com]