Parole Officer Careers in Texas

The Texas Department of Corrections Parole Division is responsible for hiring, training and supervising the operations of parole officers in the state. In total, there are five separate regions in San Antonio, Midland, Houston, Dallas and Tyler, which are responsible for overseeing the parole operations of 67 district offices that are spread across the state, in both large cities and smaller municipalities.

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Texas parole officer jobs require that applicants go through the same procedures as a basic corrections officer in the state, which includes completing a series of steps (written examination, meeting eligibility requirements, training academy, etc.)

Basic Eligibility Requirements for Parole Officers in Texas

When considering a career as a Texas parole officer, applicants are first required to meet a standard set of criteria. The basic eligibility requirements to become a parole officer in Texas are as follows:

  • Must be a United States citizen
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must not have been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the military
  • Must have a clean criminal history (no felonies, or serious misdemeanors, etc.)
  • Must be able to pass a physical fitness test, a written examination, a background check and a drug screening, amongst other examinations and tests

Education Requirements for Parole Officers in Texas

In order to be considered for a career with the Parole Division of the Texas Department of Corrections, an applicant must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, preferably in one of the following fields of study:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

The Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) Test

Before being employed by the Texas Department of Corrections, eligible recruits must pass the TLETS test within six months of being recruited. The TLETS is a system used by officers in the state of Texas via shared software. Recruits must earn access to the system in order to monitor parolees and perform other duties within the Department of Corrections.

Texas Parole Officer Training Academy

In order to have a career as a parole officer in Texas, recruits are required to complete a comprehensive six-week course at the Texas Parole Officer Training Academy. After the academy, recruits are also required to attend work-related conferences and seminars in order to better acquaint themselves with the demands of the job. The training academy in located in Beeville, which is about 52 miles northwest of Corpus Christi.

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At the training academy, recruits will learn how to work with the community, conduct parole investigating, supervise parolees, perform social services tasks and complete and file important documents with local, state and federal authorities. Other duties include verifying the employment status of people on parole, checking in on the parolees at their homes and building relationships with a variety of people and organizations.

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