Probation Officer

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

Mo te tunga | About the role

As a Pihana Matakana (Probation Officer) for Ara Poutama Aotearoa, you will work alongside individuals in our care and their whanau to address the underlying causes of offending and support long-term change.

Grounded in the values of manaaki (care), kaitiaki (guardianship), wairua (spirituality), rangatira (leadership), and whanau (family), you will manage community-based sentences and orders, while also preparing detailed written reports for the Courts and the New Zealand Parole Board.

Your contribution to public safety will be guided by a commitment to positive relationships, wellbeing and the restoration of mana.

You will support individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives, helping to reduce the likelihood of future involvement in the justice system.

Respect, dignity, and cultural responsiveness will be central to your practice.

We have vacancies across Canterbury including Ashburton.

To learn more about the role, you are welcome to attend one of our scheduled information sessions at the following locations :

• Annex Road Service Centre – 22 September 2025 5.30pm – 7pm, 209 Annex Road, Middleton Christchurch
• Rawhiti Service Centre – 24 September 2025, 5.30pm – 7pm, 296 Breezes Road, Aranui, Christchurch
• Ensors Service Centre – 27 September 2025, 11.30am – 1pm, 111 Ensors Road, Waltham, Christchurch

Suitable candidates will be invited to attend an assessment centre on 14 October.

Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience

We are seeking people who :

• Communicate clearly and effectively, with strong writing skills
• Are confident and comfortable learning new systems and technologies
• Relate well to people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds
• Are resilient, empathetic and can remain calm in challenging situations
• Think critically and make sound, informed decisions
• Work collaboratively and contribute positively to team environments

To be eligible, you must hold a full New Zealand Driver Licence and have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand for a minimum of twenty-four months from your start date.

Experience managing large caseloads is an advantage.

This is a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in your community.

You will build strong relationships, support rehabilitation, and contribute to safer communities across Aotearoa.

In alignment with Hokai Rangi, we welcome applications from individuals with experience in Kaupapa Maori or Pasifika environments, or those with a genuine willingness to learn and grow in these areas.

Please highlight any relevant cultural experience or language skills in your application.

Nga painga | The benefits

The starting salary is $67,359, with potential to increase to $86,608 based on meeting our criteria.

Mo matou | 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 Maori in correctional facilities.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai 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.

Tono inaianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link.

All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on : Monday, 29 September.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact

• , or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.