More than 600 probation and parole officers and supervisors will be the first to reap pay benefits from an adjustment in the midpoint range of the state salary schedule. The roughly 12% increase for most of these workers was announced at Lexington’s parole and probation office Wednesday.
Tom Stephens is secretary of the State Personnel Cabinet. “To be clear, this is not an across the board increase for all employees, but another tool in the toolbox to retain and attract the very best,” said Stephens.
For some workers in probation, it will mean going from $31,000 to $34,000. Other state agencies can ask to participate in the salary adjustment program by using their existing funds. Officials say this is the first time in a dozen years this type of salary schedule change has been made. Division of Probation and Parole Director Erica Hargis says increasing retention of officers is a cost saving measure while also creating consistency for parolees. “For so long, for years people would have an officer and then they would lose that officer and have to maintain a relationship with a new officer. That is not helping our clients,” explained Hargis.
While probation and parole is the first division to participate in the salary adjustment program, other agencies can also request approval for pay increases. State officials say the money for the salary adjustments comes from existing agency funds.?
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