How to become a probation and parole officer in North Dakota
The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR), Division of Parole, Probation, and Pretrial Services hires state probation and parole officers under the title Parole and Probation Officer I (Officer II for experienced hires). New probation and parole officers start at $59,472 a year.
Pay
| Starting salary | $59,472 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2026-10 |
Official state posting (Bismarck, Job ID 3033934, closes 10/29/2026): Officer I starting salary $4,956-5,200 per month ($59,472-$62,400/yr, monthly x 12); Officer II $5,700-5,900 per month ($68,400-$70,800/yr). Posting salary range From 4956.00 To 5900.00 Monthly. These are hiring ranges, not the full class range; no published pay plan maximum found.
Source:[cnd.nd.gov]
Pay for this work across North Dakota
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in North Dakota, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 250 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $51,200 |
| Median pay | $65,140 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $80,330 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: Officer I: Bachelor's degree is preferred in behavioral science, education, business, or related field, or an associate's degree with two years of work experience in corrections, law enforcement, social work, education, or behavioral health setting. Officer II: bachelor's preferred with three years of such experience, or an associate's degree with five years of experience may be considered.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or in resident alien status (ND POST peace officer license requirement)
- Eligibility to be licensed as a North Dakota peace officer (NDCC Chapter 12-63)
- Must attend basic peace officer training recognized by the ND POST Board (NDCC 12-59-20)
- Valid Class D driver's license; thorough background investigation and criminal record check
- Conditional offer: pre-employment physical, drug testing, psychological exam and Critical Task Assessment (CTA) fitness test in 7 minutes 15 seconds or less
- Must reside within 45 miles of the assigned parole and probation office (per posting)
Source:[ndlegis.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply on the State of North Dakota Careers site with cover letter, resume and transcripts
- Interview (hiring team may establish an eligibility list)
- Background investigation and criminal record check
- Pre-employment physical, drug test, psychological exam and Critical Task Assessment
- Basic peace officer training recognized by the ND POST Board
Source:[cnd.nd.gov]
Entrance exam
North Dakota Peace Officer Licensing Examination (after basic training; 70% to pass) — plus pre-employment Critical Task Assessment (CTA) fitness test[post.nd.gov]
Academy
Length not published. Basic peace officer training recognized by the ND POST Board; length not stated in the official sources found.[cnd.nd.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS), State Public Safety plan
- Benefit formula: 1.75% (members first enrolled after 1/1/2020) × years of service × final average salary (average of highest three 12-month consecutive periods of the last 180 months)
- When you can retire: Normal retirement at age 55 with 36 months of eligible employment, or Rule of 85; early retirement at age 50 with 36 months (6% reduction per NDPERS table)
DOCR posting advertises "a public safety retirement"; placement of parole and probation officers in the State Public Safety tier is inferred from that and NDPERS's plan list. State Public Safety contributions: 6.00% employee, 15.69% employer. NDPERS workshop materials describe Social Security as an additional income source but do not state coverage for this group.
Source:[ndpers.nd.gov]