46-23-1003. Qualifications of probation and parole officers. (1) (a) Probation and parole officers must have at least a college degree and some formal training in behavioral sciences. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the department. Related work experience in the areas listed in subsection (1)(b) may be substituted for educational requirements at the rate of 1 year of experience for 9 months formal education if approved by the department. All present employees are exempt from this requirement but are encouraged to further their education at the earliest opportunity.

(b) Work experience that may be substituted for the educational requirements in subsection (1)(a) includes experience in the areas of criminology, education, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, law, law enforcement, social work, sociology, psychiatric nursing, or guidance and counseling.

(2) Each probation and parole officer shall, through a source approved by the officer's employer, obtain 16 hours a year of training in subjects relating to the powers and duties of probation officers, at least 1 hour of which must include training on serious mental illness and recovery from serious mental illness. In addition, each probation and parole officer must receive training in accordance with standards adopted by the Montana public safety officer standards and training council established in 2-15-2029. The training must be at the Montana law enforcement academy unless the council finds that training at some other place is more appropriate.