Becoming a Community Corrections Officer
A Community Corrections Officer oversees programs that help offenders find an alternative to jail time. Namely, most Community Corrections officers are assigned individuals who are serving parole or probation sentences. As such, the Community Corrections Officer has a tremendous volume of oversight-related responsibilities, and they will have to regularly interact and engage with their assigned offenders in a community setting.
One tremendously rewarding component of serving as a Community Corrections Officer is the ability to help individuals who have been convicted for crimes make positive choices in their lives. By avoiding jail sentencing or shortening jail sentences, these individuals can live as citizens within their community and rehabilitate themselves to become happier, healthier and more productive community members.
Learn how to become a Community Corrections Officer and pursue a career serving as a probation or parole agency by taking these following steps:
Step 1 - Meet the Position’s Requirements
Requirements for becoming a Community Corrections Officer will vary depending on the agency you serve and the community in which you intend to serve. Most positions will require:
- A valid U.S. citizenship
- You to be at least 21 years of age or older
- No prior felony convictions or drug-related offenses
- A high school diploma or GED
These criteria are quite demanding, but correspond to greater jurisdictional authority and a higher earning potential. Not every position will demand this level of skill, though. Washington State Department of Corrections candidates are not required to be U.S. citizens as long as they are able to legally work in the United States and have a driver’s license.
Step 2 - Acquire Practical Skills and Knowledge
The skills needed to be an adept Community Corrections Officer are quite diverse. Your duties may include:
- Regular interviews with offenders to monitor program progress and compliance
- Administration of urinalysis drug screenings
- In-home checkups on select occasions
- Documented assessment of parole or probation subject for presentation to the court
- Arrangement of community service hours to satisfy program requirements
- Ensuring offender attendance at treatment, assessment or educational programs
- Investigation of offenders suspected to be violating terms of parole or probation
- Coordination with local law enforcement when violations occur
Because of the many duties a Community Corrections Officer will have to perform, they must have impeccable organization, administration and interpersonal skills. They must also be able to walk the line between mentoring offenders and ensuring that expectations, program requirements and the penalties for violations are clear.
Additional skills and qualities that can enhance your eligibility for positions include:
- An ability to speak Spanish
- Exceptional communication abilities
- A personable but firm demeanor
- Prior experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, military training and related fields
- An impeccable employment history and references
- An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, criminology or a related field
Step 3 - Satisfy Any Training Requirements
A minimum amount of training hours or supervised work hours may be necessary in order to be eligible for some positions. The method of obtaining these hours can vary, but some Community Corrections program facilitators may be able to offer internships or trainee positions. Other companies may be willing to take on untrained and inexperienced individuals and then have them undergo the needed training hours before their official duties begin.
Determine the necessary experience and training needed for the positions you aspire to, and seek out opportunities to satisfy these requirements.
Step 4 - Apply for a Community Corrections Officer Position
Your ability to satisfy minimum job requirements will vary based on the area you operate in and the company you will work for. You can begin applying for jobs the moment you are able to satisfy these requirements.
Note that jobs that have stricter candidate criteria may offer more competitive pay, so always be searching for advancement opportunities as well as training or certifications that can make you more competitive.
Community Corrections Salary Information
Community Corrections Salaries by State
| Location | 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $32,810 | $38,220 | $49,060 | $65,320 | $83,920 |
| Alabama | $25,710 | $33,410 | $40,650 | $51,830 | $60,120 |
| Arizona | $37,610 | $43,040 | $49,800 | $59,600 | $69,580 |
| Arkansas | $28,650 | $31,210 | $34,820 | $39,870 | $45,620 |
| California | $53,570 | $64,640 | $77,470 | $95,070 | $100,930 |
| Colorado | $37,520 | $45,270 | $52,610 | $66,250 | $79,720 |
| Connecticut | $55,170 | $69,750 | $75,190 | $88,620 | $93,220 |
| District of Columbia | $40,950 | $51,160 | $68,030 | $73,110 | $79,210 |
| Florida | $31,070 | $34,290 | $38,130 | $44,380 | $49,830 |
| Georgia | $26,900 | $31,000 | $35,260 | $39,760 | $47,390 |
| Hawaii | $41,450 | $45,560 | $53,040 | $62,020 | $73,750 |
| Idaho | $26,660 | $33,320 | $36,960 | $41,840 | $46,970 |
| Illinois | $41,310 | $53,810 | $70,970 | $86,160 | $87,880 |
| Indiana | $23,800 | $25,520 | $38,420 | $47,550 | $57,350 |
| Iowa | $41,500 | $52,800 | $67,000 | $77,580 | $83,510 |
| Kansas | $30,940 | $33,580 | $37,780 | $44,970 | $50,930 |
| Kentucky | $31,400 | $32,970 | $33,800 | $38,630 | $45,400 |
| Louisiana | $30,360 | $33,790 | $43,160 | $56,170 | $67,940 |
| Maine | $28,830 | $33,980 | $37,440 | $48,880 | $48,900 |
| Maryland | $42,870 | $48,590 | $54,330 | $63,250 | $68,810 |
| Massachusetts | $43,900 | $54,300 | $67,600 | $77,340 | $89,080 |
| Michigan | $42,340 | $51,280 | $55,820 | $60,360 | $63,380 |
| Minnesota | $42,240 | $52,320 | $66,110 | $78,100 | $89,810 |
| Mississippi | $22,660 | $26,860 | $28,880 | $31,820 | $43,560 |
| Missouri | $33,850 | $35,700 | $36,510 | $39,890 | $45,560 |
| Montana | $30,290 | $35,600 | $41,000 | $47,160 | $50,890 |
| Nebraska | $35,050 | $35,060 | $37,870 | $42,000 | $47,340 |
| Nevada | $42,820 | $50,350 | $59,330 | $70,260 | $78,070 |
| New Hampshire | $47,380 | $52,560 | $58,480 | $62,430 | $69,750 |
| New Jersey | $48,670 | $59,390 | $75,280 | $90,440 | $98,650 |
| New Mexico | $26,830 | $31,220 | $35,310 | $41,380 | $47,370 |
| New York | $48,280 | $55,870 | $66,830 | $76,030 | $86,340 |
| North Carolina | $33,310 | $37,480 | $38,310 | $41,150 | $45,200 |
| North Dakota | $37,610 | $42,190 | $47,750 | $55,840 | $62,380 |
| Ohio | $33,090 | $38,750 | $47,000 | $56,770 | $62,940 |
| Oklahoma | $28,830 | $33,250 | $37,730 | $44,480 | $49,530 |
| Oregon | $38,440 | $44,180 | $53,550 | $65,540 | $71,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,510 | $41,640 | $50,270 | $60,940 | $71,710 |
| South Carolina | $27,880 | $32,020 | $36,860 | $44,590 | $53,120 |
| South Dakota | $31,140 | $34,260 | $39,580 | $45,830 | $49,660 |
| Tennessee | $26,900 | $32,540 | $35,490 | $42,620 | $50,800 |
| Texas | $32,690 | $35,750 | $39,950 | $46,640 | $55,040 |
| Utah | $29,760 | $43,950 | $47,650 | $50,330 | $54,580 |
| Vermont | $49,550 | $52,820 | $56,520 | $61,670 | $67,540 |
| Virginia | $34,360 | $37,310 | $43,080 | $52,330 | $64,010 |
| Washington | $41,920 | $50,510 | $53,050 | $56,840 | $69,820 |
| West Virginia | $25,230 | $29,750 | $37,210 | $46,460 | $58,240 |
| Wisconsin | $39,310 | $45,780 | $49,390 | $54,140 | $56,710 |
| Wyoming | $35,350 | $43,210 | $46,230 | $46,260 | $50,750 |
| Puerto Rico | $25,100 | $27,520 | $31,560 | $35,580 | $37,990 |
Table data taken from 2014 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211092.htm)