Probation Officer - Canterbury

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Work for a values-led organisation and be a part of a supportive team
• Career development and training opportunities
• 5 weeks annual leave

'Kotahi anō te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi' – ‘There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and wellbeing of our people.

Ngā kawenga | About the role

Probation Officers (Āpiha Matakana) work with people on community-based sentences, encouraging them to make positive changes in their lives, and motivating them to follow the conditions of their order or sentence.

Often working alongside whānau and social service agencies, Probation Officers will work to understand rehabilitation needs, assess and manage risk, and connect people with supports to reduce the likelihood of re-offending. Our Probation Officers also provide the courts and Parole Board with recommendations and reports to inform sentencing decisions.

All new Probation Officers are provided with role specific training to help them succeed in the role. This includes one week Ara Tika (induction week) at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hut, followed by 25 weeks Pou Hapori Iho training pathway which is completed on site.

The vacant position is in Canterbury and is a full-time, permanent position. This role requires flexibility to work across a Monday – Friday or Tuesday – Saturday profile as required.

Being a Probation Officer is an incredibly exciting opportunity. You'll have the chance to connect with people, build strong relationships, do something which really makes a difference in your community, and improve public safety. To learn more about the role, we have a short video and more information on our website which you can access via this link: https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/home/probation-officer/

For those wishing to learn more about the role in an informal and relaxed environment, please feel free to join us at one of our career information evenings below. This is an opportunity to meet the team and to discover more about our mahi!

Annex Road Service Centre – Tuesday, 9 April 2024, 5.30 – 7 pm, 209 Annex Road, Middleton Christchurch

Rawhiti Service Centre – Thursday 11 April 2024, 5.30 – 7 pm, 296 Breezes Road, Aranui, Christchurch

Ensors Service Centre – Saturday 13 April 2024, 12 – 1.30 pm, 111 Ensors Road, Waltham, Christchurch.

He kōrero mōu | About you 

We are interested to hear from people who:

• Have the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of people.
• Are able to think critically, assess information, and make well-reasoned decisions based on data and reliable information.
• Have excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• Can remain positive and resilient in difficult situations.
• Are able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds.
• Have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and/or a willingness to learn.
• A tertiary qualification in a related discipline is preferred but not essential.

You'll also need a Full New Zealand Driver Licence and the legal right to work in Aotearoa without restriction for a minimum of 24 months.

Please note that the later stages of the recruitment process include pre-employment drug testing and police vetting. This criminal history check is exempt from the Clean Slate Act so please ensure you declare any offences (even those outside of 7 years) in your application.

Utu ā-tau | Salary and Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $64, 359 - $ 67, 648 per annum depending on skills and experience. Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary up to $81, 909. We are also able to offer:

• 5 weeks annual leave
• Learning and development opportunities and a clear pathway for career growth
• A supportive team-environment
• Health and well-being benefits including access to EAP, eye care benefits, health checks and more.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hōkai Rangi (https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/strategy).

We're also bringing in new ways of working to help us deliver Hōkai Rangi, with a range of new roles being formed as part of The Pathway Forward Te Ara Whakamua. 

It is an exciting time to join us, and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau. 

If you share the same passion for our work but feel this opportunity may not be the perfect fit for you, we encourage you to click here (https://mahi.corrections.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organid=19420&in_jnCounter=225810696). We look forward to discovering more about you and exploring potential opportunities that align with your interests and skills.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values. 

It is an exciting time to join us and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau.  All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered. 

If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at careers@corrections.govt.nz.

Applications close Tuesday 16 April 2024