How to become a probation and parole officer in Oregon
The county community corrections system (Oregon DOC funds and oversees it; DPSST certifies officers) hires probation and parole officers under the title Parole & Probation Officer (county title; DPSST Basic Parole & Probation certification). You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | — |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
Adult parole/probation supervision is delivered by county community corrections offices; no state-employed Parole & Probation Officer postings were found on the State of Oregon careers site (Oct 2026), so no state pay plan applies. Pay is set by each county.
Source:[oregon.gov]
Pay for this work across Oregon
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Oregon, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 1,260 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $62,960 |
| Median pay | $84,920 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $107,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma, GED, or a four-year post-secondary degree (DPSST statewide minimum; applicants without a four-year degree take academic proficiency testing). Counties commonly require a bachelor's degree.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen (or nonimmigrant admitted under a Compact of Free Association) within 18 months of employment
- Adult probation and parole are run by counties; county officers must obtain DPSST Basic Parole & Probation certification within 18 months of hire (agencies may request a 1-year extension)
- Certification requires employment as a P&P officer at a DPSST-recognized agency, completion of the DPSST Basic Parole & Probation Course and the Basic Parole & Probation Field Training Manual, a signed F11 Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, and current First Aid and Adult/Child CPR
- Pre-employment background investigation, psychological evaluation and physical exam (when required), set by each hiring agency
- Basic Academy is only open to people already employed by a qualifying agency (no self-sponsored academy)
Source:[law.cornell.edu]
Hiring process
- Apply to a county community corrections (parole & probation) office
- Background investigation, psychological evaluation and physical exam as required by the agency
- Hire, then attend the DPSST Basic Parole & Probation academy
- Complete the P&P Field Training Manual and apply for DPSST Basic certification within 18 months
Source:[oregon.gov]
Academy
Length not published. DPSST Basic Parole and Probation course (and a separate Parole and Probation-Armed course), run at the DPSST academy in Salem; course length not stated on the pages reviewed.[oregon.gov]