How to become a probation and parole officer in South Dakota
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS), Court Services hires state probation and parole officers under the title Court Services Officer. New probation and parole officers start at $59,010 a year, rising to $92,560.
Pay
| Starting salary | $59,010 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $92,560 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07 |
Top = the ceiling of court pay grade O ($44.50/hr) in the FY2027 salary structure; Court Services Officers start near the grade minimum.
Source:[ujs.sd.gov]
Pay for this work across South Dakota
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in South 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 | 280 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $58,760 |
| Median pay | $66,870 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $78,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor's degree in social sciences, criminal justice, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience
- Successful completion of a criminal background investigation
- Preferred: work experience in social services, corrections, domestic violence, disability services, drug and alcohol or treatment centers, group homes, or a related field
- Travel and occasional evening/weekend work required
- Must verify identity and U.S. work eligibility (Form I-9 / E-Verify); no work-visa sponsorship
Source:[ujs.sd.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply online to a posted UJS Court Services Officer vacancy and attach the job-specific UJS questionnaire
- Criminal background investigation
- Hire and E-Verify
Source:[ujs.sd.gov]
Academy
Length not published. No basic-training length found in an official source opened.
Pension and retirement
- Plan: South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS), Generational member, Class B public safety (court services officers and DOC parole agents are both listed as Class B members)
- Benefit formula: 2% of final average compensation for each year of Class B credited service (SDCL 3-12C-1205); FAC = highest average annual compensation over any 20 consecutive calendar quarters
- When you can retire: Normal retirement age 57 for Class B public safety generational members; early retirement reduced 5% per year before NRA
Member and employer contributions are each 8% for Class B public safety (SDRS memo to the Legislature, 2026). Class B membership definition: SDCL 3-12C-101(19).
Source:[sdlegislature.gov]