Since the 1970s Conway has been growing at a rate of at least 30 percent each decade up to the last census, taken in 2010. Probation and parole officer jobs in this area have also continued to increase over the years, helping to boost the national projected rate of increase for jobs in this field to 18 percent through the year 2020.
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A probation and parole officer’s primary objective is to preserve and protect the public’s safety in Conway, all while providing as many opportunities as possible for offender rehabilitation. Whether they be probationers sentenced to specific terms and conditions, or parolees released early from prison, Conway residents in the probation and parole system are given a second chance at becoming responsible citizens of this town
Education for Probation and Parole Officer Careers in Conway
The State of Arkansas has set in place a minimum education requirement for all probation and parole officers of at least a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a related field. However a qualifications review committee has the authority to declare relevant work experience, or a combination of work and education, as acceptable substitutions to this education requirement at its discretion.
Candidates who are interested in beginning a career in probation and parole in Conway can start by creating an online account with the Arkansas hiring program. It is also a good idea to monitor the State’s jobs postings online.
The official job title is DCC (Department of Community Corrections) Parole/Probation Officer I/A-6, as Conway lies in the DCC’s sixth area or district. Applications from those interested in becoming probation and parole officers in Conway are only accepted when there is a vacancy.
Training Requirements
New recruits will undergo first a week of orientation and introductions, followed by an intensive six-week probation and parole officer training academy where they will learn the essential skills for their new careers.
After their first year of employment, officers will need to accumulate at least 80 hours of continuing education annually. Training is offered in the areas of:
- Arkansas Code laws
- Use of force and arrest procedures and techniques
- Firearms training and certification
- Courtroom etiquette and policies
- Psychological techniques, including:
- Positive reinforcement
- Logic and reason
- Conditioned responses
What to Expect from a Career in Probation/Parole in Conway
Probation and parole officers working in Conway will protect the public safety, allowing the city’s primary industries – universities, health care, and service providers – to function smoothly. To protect public safety and help offenders with rehabilitation, some probation and parole officer job duties include:
- Offender intake interviews and risk assessments
- Community resource referral
- Compiling reports and investigations into offender backgrounds and history
- Documenting infractions and offender contact
- Ensuring parolees and probationers fulfill their legal obligations and keep appointments such as:
- Court dates
- Restitution
- Child support
- Court fees
- Required counseling or treatment