Suffolk County Department of Probation

Probation Officer Trainee

Probation Officer Trainee (Spanish Speaking)

Last Filing Date: December 3rd 2025 (Wednesday)
Written Test: December 20th 2025 (Saturday)

Work location:

Suffolk County Probation Headquarters
100 East Ave, Yaphank, NY 11980

Duties:

• NY State Peace Officer status
• Plain clothes, non-uniformed service
• Community based supervision of criminal and juvenile offenders
• Pre-sentence investigations of convicted offenders and juveniles
• Make arrests and execute warrants, as required
• Offender rehabilitation
• Investigative work

General information:

Application Fee: $125
Application fee waivers are available
Veteran's credits available
Military make-up exam for qualified veterans

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree to include 30 credits in social or behavioral sciences at the time of appointment
*Test maybe taken prior to completion of undergraduate program
No maximum age
Must be a Suffolk County resident at the time of appointment
Must be a US citizen at the time of appointment
Must have a valid NY State Driver's License at the time of appointment

Salary:

Starting salary: $45,388 + benefits + overtime
After 1 year: $72,167 + benefits + overtime
Top pay: $97,875 + benefits + overtime

Benefits:

Night shift differentials
13 paid holidays
13 paid sick days
4 personal days per year
Longevity pay after 10 years
Premium family medical coverage for only $94 per paycheck
Clothing allotment
Overtime
Dental, optical coverage, prescription and co-pay reimbursement, Legal service fee reimbursement, etc.
All equipment provided
Vacation: 2 weeks of vacation after the 1st year, increasing up to 6 weeks with seniority
Up to 30 days of paid military leave for Reservists and National Guard Members
Up to 5 paid military sick days
Deferred compensation plan
Full salary and benefits during training period
Probation Officers are members of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and are represented by the PBA
Probation Officers receive the same benefits as all Suffolk County Police Officers

Retirement:

NY State Tier 6 contributory retirement plan
Eligible for retirement after 25 years of service with 50% of salary
Vested retirement plan after 5 years of service
Lifetime medical coverage after 10 years of service
Military service buy back - up to 3 years of credit towards retirement
Written exam:
Written exam will cover knowledge, skills and / or abilities in such areas as:
• Evaluating conclusions in light of known facts
• Understanding and interpreting written materiel
• Client interviewing
• Preparing written material
Candidates who have attained a passing score on the written exam will undergo a background check, medical examination, Psychological exam (written exam and an in-person interview) and a physical fitness screening.
There is no running involved as part of the physical fitness screening. There is no Polygraph required.

Training:

4 months of training at the Probation Academy (Yaphank, NY)
4 weeks of Field Training
Probation Academy is not a "boot camp" style academy
Training received includes:
• Basic Course for Peace Officers
• Defensive tactics
• Firearms training
• Crisis intervention
Full pay and benefits during training

Promotion:

Eligible for promotion to the next higher grade after 2 years of permanent status as a Probation Officer. Eligible for further promotion after 2 years of service in rank.

Ranks:

Probation Officer Trainee - $45,388
Probation Officer - $97,875
Senior Probation Officer - $105,940
Probation Supervisor - $119,825
Principal Probation Officer - $136,059
Appointed positions:
• Deputy Director of Probation • Direction of Probation

Work schedule:

Flexible schedule
No shift work
Weekends and holidays off
Assignment opportunities:
Criminal Court
• Gang Unit
• Domestic Violence Unit
• Sex Offender Unit
• Behavioral Health Unit
Family Court • Juvenile delinquents
• Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS)
• Juvenile detention and transport
Pre-sentence investigations
Electronic monitoring - GPS and alcohol monitoring
Supervised release
Interstate Investigations and Supervision
Training Unit

Female applicants:

More than 60% of Probation Officers are female
Flexible work schedule and non-shift work is conducive to a great work-life balance

Website: JoinProbation.com
Email: JoinProbation@SuffolkCountyNY.gov
Ph: 631-852-5222