Probation Officer - Nelson

Full-time, 12-month fixed-term / secondment opportunity. Work for a values-led organisation and be a part of a supportive team. Career development and training opportunities. '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. 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. 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 on our website which you can access via this link: https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/home/probation-officer/ This is a fixed-term / secondment opportunity commencing on 5th October 2026, working 40 hours per week across Monday - Friday. Based at our Service Centre in Nelson. About you 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. The benefits The starting salary for this position is $70,956 - $75,947, with potential to increase to $91,307 over time based on meeting our progression criteria. 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. If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [email protected], or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz. Applications close Wednesday, 19th August 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr