Probation and Parole Officer Career in Lane County, Oregon

Lane County is Oregon’s fourth most populous county and home to Eugene, the second largest city in the state.  Parole and probation supervision are combined and managed by Lane County Parole and Probation.  There are approximately 36 probation and parole officers supervising almost 3,500 offenders.  This translates into an average caseload of almost 98 per officer.  Lane County P & P has been quite effective in supervising both parolees and probationers; there was a 70 percent success rate among both populations, with only 30 percent of offenders committing a new felony within 36 months.

Lane County’s Probation and Parole Programs

Domestic Violence Supervision is a specialized program for offenders who have been convicted of felony or misdemeanor domestic violence.  This program is 52 weeks in length and currently supervises almost 400 offenders.  Close monitoring of offenders to prevent contact with victims is utilized throughout this duration.

Sex Offender Supervision involves the Static-99 assessment tool to evaluate adult male sex offenders.  This system provides accurate estimates of sexual and violent activity.  Offenders are often enrolled or referred to treatment programs, which utilize cognitive restructuring and skills oriented remediation. Lane County P & P utilizes regular polygraphs to determine if the offender is engaged in prohibitive behavior.

Lane County Parole and Probation has one officer who monitors supervisees for gang activity.  This program monitors the criminogenic behavior of offenders to determine if they have re-engaged with a gang.  These behaviors include anti-social attitudes, family dysfunction, lack of self-control, substance abuse and lack of employment.

Education and Other Requirements to Become a Probation and Parole Officer in
Lane County, Oregon

Probation and parole officer jobs in Lane County require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in one of the following:

  • Criminal justice
  • Behavioral science
  • Social work

The PPO I position is the entry level job and requires at least one year of experience in:

  • Corrections; or
  • Law enforcement; or
  • Treatment; or
  • Social services

Probation and Parole Officer II requires two years of service in one or more of these fields.  In some cases, a master’s, doctor’s or J.D. degree may be used to satisfy these experience requirements.  Candidates may also seek to obtain required experience through internships or volunteer opportunities.

Applicants must also meet the following qualifications:

  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be 21 years or older
  • Have a valid Oregon driver’s license
  • No felony convictions
  • No  domestic violence convictions

Training for Lane County’s Probation and Parole Officers

Within one year of hiring, new officers must receive certification as a Parole/Probation officer through the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.  Parole and probation officers may receive this training through Lane County P & P which utilizes state certified instructors.  Some courses may be completed through the DPSST including

  • Defensive tactics
  • Firearms training
  • Confrontational simulation training
  • CPR and first aid

Officers must re-qualify with firearms on an annual basis and receive an additional 80 hours of instruction each year.

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