ORS 181A.530 Certification of parole and probation officers

Except for a person who has requested and obtained an extension from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, a person may not be employed as a parole and probation officer for more than 18 months unless the person is a citizen of the United States or a nonimmigrant legally admitted to the United States under a Compact of Free Association, and:

The person has been certified as being qualified as a parole and probation officer under provisions of ORS 181A.355 to 181A.689 and the certification has not lapsed or been revoked pursuant to ORS 181A.630, 181A.640 and 181A.650 (1) and not reissued under ORS 181A.650 (2); or

The person is exempted from the certification requirement under ORS 181A.420 (1) and (2).

The department, upon the facts contained in an affidavit accompanying the request for an extension, may find good cause for failure to obtain certification within the time period described in subsection (1) of this section. If the department finds that there is good cause for failure to timely obtain certification, the department may extend for up to one year the period that a person may serve as a parole and probation officer without certification. The grant or denial of an extension is within the sole discretion of the department.

The initial training required for certification as a parole and probation officer, and any mandatory training to maintain certification, must include training in providing trauma-informed care, culturally specific services and de-escalation techniques.

The certification of a parole and probation officer shall lapse upon the passage of more than three consecutive months during which period the officer is not employed as a parole and probation officer, unless the officer is on leave from a law enforcement unit. Upon reemployment as a parole and probation officer, the person whose certification has lapsed may apply for certification in the manner provided in ORS 181A.355 to 181A.689.

In order to maintain certification, a parole and probation officer who is employed part-time must complete annually at least 20 hours of continuing education approved by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

The requirement of citizenship imposed under subsection (1) of this section does not apply to a person employed as a parole and probation officer on September 27, 1987, who continues to serve as a parole and probation officer.