Located in an area with about 100,000 inhabitants, Fairbanks – Alaska’s largest interior city – has a probation and parole system vital to the preservation of law in this area. Probation officers work each day to keep their city running smoothly- protecting public safety by monitoring probationers while at the same time providing opportunities and resources for them to learn how to reenter society. Without the work of probation officers, the economy of Fairbanks, with everything from government services to education to tourism, would not operate as efficiently.
Sponsored School(s)
Education and Other to Become a Fairbanks Probation and Parole Officer
The general education requirement to begin a career as a Fairbanks probation and parole officer is a bachelor’s degree in any field, including social work, psychology, and criminal justice. However candidates can substitute one of the following for the education requirement:
- Four years of work experience in any of the following fields:
- Law enforcement
- Criminal investigations
- Probation/parole
- Juvenile/criminal justice
- Corrections
- Social services
- Four years of combined higher education and work experience in the above fields, with three semester or four quarter hours being equal to one month of experience
Candidates for probation and parole officer jobs in Fairbanks must also be able to meet these conditions:
- U.S. citizen or resident alien with demonstrated intent of becoming a U.S. citizen
- At least 21 years old
- Of good moral character with the ability to pass a physical and psychological exam
- Must not have:
- Felony or domestic violence convictions
- Two or more DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) convictions
- Used, produced, transported, or sold a controlled substance, other than marijuana, in the preceding ten years, excluding any periods before the age of 21.
Training and Certification in Fairbanks
Probation and parole officers themselves are on probation for the first year of employment. During this time they will receive the necessary training to obtain a Probation Officer Certificate from the Alaska Police Standards Council upon graduation from the Basic Probation Officer Academy. This is a six-week, 240-hour training academy where officers will learn the essentials that will allow them to begin a successful probation officer career. Training is offered in the areas of:
- Alaska State Code and department policies
- Defensive techniques and use of deadly force
- Firearms training
- Civil law and case management
- Non-lethal force, including a segment where officers are sprayed with oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray)
- Psychological assessments and persuasive techniques
After the first year of employment, probation officers are required to obtain 40 hours of continuing education annually, and re-qualify to carry firearms every six months.
How to Apply
Applicants are encouraged to apply online, however paper applications are also accepted by mail. Applications are only accepted when there is an open position so candidates need to monitor local job advertising sources and the Alaska State online jobs postings. Candidates can also sign up to be notified by email when probation officer positions become available, and in the meantime create an online account to begin the application process.