Career Progression FAQs for Community Supervision

Follow these steps to enroll: 

• Log in to LMS and select the Career Progression tab at the top left of the page (next to HOME). 
• Scroll down to the PPO Resources section (left-hand column) and click the PPO Orientation link. 
• Complete the Career Progression Orientation, which covers eligibility requirements, program steps, and completion benefits. 
• If you choose to proceed, click the  Registration Link at the end of Orientation. 
• Your Chief Probation/Parole Officer will review and verify your eligibility. Once approved, you will be assigned your first training cohort in LMS at the conclusion of the registration window. You may encounter a waiting period before receiving the LMS training, as registration periods are approximately 60 days, allowing for new cohort groups to begin several times each calendar year.

Note: If you do not meet eligibility requirements, your CPPO  will notify you and answer any questions you have regarding your eligibility.

After submitting your registration, your CPPO will confirm your eligibility through Smartsheet. Once verified, an LMS Administrator will assign the first of three training cohorts in LMS. You will then begin coursework according to the established timeline. 

Note: You may experience up to a 60-day waiting period for a new cohort group to begin. For example: If you register between Aug. 3 and Sept. 30, your LMS courses will be assigned on or around the first business day of October.

The program is designed to take 9-12 months, beginning with the assignment of the first training cohort and concluding with the completion of all three cohorts and the Review Committee Interview. 

The curriculum is structured in three stages (cohorts), each with an approximate two-month completion period: 

• Cohort 1: Assigned upon eligibility approval, and at the end of the registration window. 
• Cohort 2: Assigned after completion of Cohort 1, and approximately two months after Cohort 1.
• Cohort 3: Assigned after completion of Cohort 2, and approximately two months after Cohort 2. 
• A Self-Assessment is included in Cohort 3 and is required to complete the curriculum portion of the program. 
• A community supervision CP program coordinator will verify LMS course completion and continued eligibility and forward the self-assessment to Judicial Division Directors (JDD) and the Judicial District Manager (JDM)
• You will receive an invitation to participate in a peer group, round-table discussion with other participants and your JDM within 45 days of completion and eligibility confirmation. 
• You will receive notice of your scheduled review committee interview.
• Recognition: Eligible employees receive their certificate and insignia upon program completion. 

Note: See the timeline example for month-by-month guidance based on your registration date in the PPO Career Progression SOP relating to policy DAC-WFM-200.  This document is found in the DCS SharePoint under the Personnel/HR category, CPP section.  A visual tool for the PPO program is also available, entitled: Career Progression Workflows.

The program includes elective training designed to expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities within your current role and support your professional development. Training is self-paced and delivered through the LMS in three cohort stages. The program is multi-faceted, with e-learning coursework, a self-assessment attestation, participation in a discussion group, and an individual panel interview. Training is designed not to interfere with your job duties or performance.

Once you have completed all three training cohorts, you must: 

• Complete and electronically submit the Self-Assessment Smartsheet in the LMS curriculum for Cohort 3, which acknowledges your ability to demonstrate each competency area. 
• Your continued eligibility and coursework completion will be verified by the Community Supervision CP Coordinator, and you will be assigned a peer group for a meeting with your JDM.
• After your peer group meeting with a JDM, you will then be assigned a time for your  Review Committee interview.

The Review Committee is a designated group of leaders and Community Supervision Division staff responsible for:

• Maintaining consistency across all participating Districts and ensuring fair and equitable treatment of staff.
• Providing participants with opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge, share their experiences in the program, and offer suggestions for program improvement.

Note: Per Policy DAC-WFM-200, the committee interview is structured to receive program feedback and is not scored or rated.

If you no longer meet eligibility requirements at any point during the program, your participation will be paused. Your track will remain on hold until the issue is resolved, including any applicable corrective action timeframes. Participation may be suspended for any of the following reasons: 

• Your overall performance management evaluation task rating falls below 2. 
• You are placed under active investigation. 
• You receive documented counseling or disciplinary action.
• You fail to maintain the required criminal justice certification. 

Your Judicial District Manager will notify you and the Career Progression team of your suspension of the career progression program via email. 

Note: Once the issue is resolved, you may request to resume the program from where you left off. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis per Policy DAC-WFM-200.

The program is for active Probation/Parole Officers. In these circumstances, you would no longer be eligible to continue in the program.

Employees who complete the program will receive:

• A letter of commendation from the Chief Deputy Secretary of Community Supervision.
• A framed Certificate of Completion signed by leadership to be presented at the employee’s workplace.
• A recognition insignia that can be worn on issued equipment (Velcro to safety vest).

Because the pay scale for Probation/Parole Officer positions are established pursuant to state statute, participation in this program will not result in an increase in your annual salary.

Completion of the program may be beneficial when applying for promotion, as it demonstrates initiative in professional development through participation in additional training. Participation must be documented in the application to receive consideration and does not guarantee an interview or selection.

Additional benefits include: 

• Enhanced readiness for promotional opportunities 
• Expanded knowledge and skills directly applicable to the employee’s current role 
• Formal recognition of commitment to professional development 
• A structured pathway for career growth within NCDAC 
• Demonstrated initiative that may support future advancement

The Career Progression program has evolved. The current program focuses on providing certified staff with professional development and leadership development opportunities

For program questions, Community Supervision staff should speak to their supervisor or email CareerProgression@dac.nc.gov.

For LMS course questions, please contact Abby.Parker@dac.nc.gov. 

Complete the Career Progression Orientation Course in the LMS before registering. The orientation provides a full overview of the program, including eligibility requirements, what to expect during training, the review process, and the recognition received upon completion. The orientation is the recommended first step, even if you are not yet sure you want to participate. 

Community Supervision staff should speak to their supervisor or email CareerProgression@dac.nc.gov.

LMS Course Issues – Abby.Parker@dac.nc.gov