Probation Officer

Department of Corrections NZ – Dunedin, South Island Probation Officer - Dunedin / Ara Whakatika "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." Help reduce reoffending and create safer, stronger communities Full training, career growth pathway & 5 weeks annual leave Build trusted relationships that support rehabilitation and change Mō te tūnga | About the role Probation Officers (Āpiha Matakana) play a vital role in supporting people on community-based sentences to make positive changes in their lives. They motivate individuals to comply with the conditions of their sentence and work towards better outcomes. This role is about connection and collaboration. Probation Officers work alongside whānau and social service agencies to understand each person's rehabilitation needs, assess and manage risk, and link them to the right support networks to reduce the likelihood of re-offending. You’ll also provide trusted advice to the courts and the Parole Board through detailed reports and recommendations that shape sentencing and parole decisions. Every day, you’ll make a real difference, not just for individuals, but for whānau and communities across Aotearoa. 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. (This is for 2 x permanent full-time position's, working between the hours of 8am - 6pm Monday - Friday.) Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience Builds and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of people. Can think critically, assess information, and make well-reasoned decisions based on data and reliable information. Have excellent spoken and written communication skills. Computer literacy and ability to learn new systems quickly. Can remain positive and resilient in difficult situations. Can demonstrate effective time management and prioritisation skills and the ability to maintain a good balance between work and personal life. Can show initiative and take responsibility for learning and development. Full New Zealand Driver Licence legal right to work in Aotearoa without restriction for a minimum of 24 months. (Please note that the later stages of the recruitment process and police vetting. This criminal history check is exempt from the Clean Slate Act so please ensure you declare any offences, even that sit outside of 7 years, in your application.) Ngā painga | The benefits The starting salary for this position is $70,956 - $80,523 per annum depending on skills and experience. Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary up to $91,307. We also 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. Mō mātou | About us Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy. We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required. Applications close on: Friday 28th July 2026. (Please note that we will be contacting successful candidates in the week of 31st of July August with the intention of inviting you to an in-person Assessment Centre on 17th August) If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact ***************@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz. #J-18808-Ljbffr