Correctional peace officers

Interested applicants must apply through the Government of Alberta Jobs Board. Enter the keyword 'correctional' into the search field and click the blue 'Search Jobs' button to find the CPO posting. If you have not applied to a Government of Alberta job posting previously, you will be asked to create a candidate profile.

Documents and information you are required to submit at this step include:

Resume

Applicants should provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

To accurately reflect your related qualifications, include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience.

Cover letter

Ensure your cover letter outlines how your experience aligns to the role and qualifications in the job posting.

Provide information in your cover letter not covered in your resume (for example, availability to begin employment, location preferences, employment history gaps).

Your cover letter should include past examples of how you have demonstrated the requested competencies as well as descriptions of key accomplishments you are proudest of.

Personal Disclosure Questionnaire

The Personal Disclosure Questionnaire (PDQ) is a required part of your application. Information requested in the PDQ is essential for determining the suitability, eligibility and qualifications of the applicant for employment as a peace officer with Alberta Correctional Services. This form must be completed and signed digitally in Adobe Reader.

Although not required at the application step, you may also upload the following documents if you have them available:

• COPAT (Correctional Officer Physical Ability Test) or PARE (Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation) (completed within the last 6 months)
• standard first aid and CPR Level-C certification with AED
• current 5-year commercial driver’s abstract (issued within the past month)
• current certified criminal records check with fingerprinting (issued within the last 6 months)
• vulnerable sector check (if you are interested in working in youth offender centres)

Once you have submitted the required documentation and answered the pre-screening questions, your application will be reviewed.

As part of the initial application process, you must indicate which correctional centres you are applying to. The availability of positions at each centre is subject to ongoing change. If no positions are available at a centre of your choice at the time of application, your application will be retained on file, and you will only be contacted for further assessments and documentation if positions become available.

Screened candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview and complete a written assessment immediately after the interview.

Virtual interview

If successful, you will be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview with a member of the recruitment team. This may be one-on-one, or a speed interview format with multiple interviewers.

Written assessment

Immediately after the interview, you will be required to complete a 30-minute written assessment via email. The purpose of this written exercise is to evaluate your written communication skills.

If you pass the virtual interview and written assessment must submit the following documents.

• Candidates are strongly encouraged to begin the process to secure this documentation as early as possible to avoid delays.

Physical fitness tests

One of these 2 tests must be completed within the last 6 months:

• Proof of successful completion of COPAT (Correctional Officer Physical Ability Test)
• PARE (Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation)

If you have not recently completed one of these tests, the recruitment team will email you information on how to register.

Candidates may have the option to complete the testing at a correctional centre free of charge or through an external testing provider.

Note: If you live outside Alberta, we accept the successful completion of the COPAT or PARE test from the province you currently live in. Results must be uploaded to your candidate profile.

Current certified criminal records check with fingerprinting

This must be issued within the past 6 months.

Positions at young offender centres also require a vulnerable sector check (issued within the last 6 months).

Online criminal record checks will not be accepted.

You may make an appointment to have a fingerprint-based check completed at an RCMP-accredited private fingerprint company. Any associated costs will be your responsibility. Candidates can also get fingerprinting done at the Commissionaires.

Applicants will not move to the panel interview stage until copies of the above documentation are received and assessed.

Candidates who have submitted the required documentation will be invited to a virtual interview with custody operations managers and supervisors.

The competency-based interview will be 45 minutes long and include both behavioral and technical questions. You will be assessed on the competencies outlined in the job posting.

If you are successful in the panel interview, you will be contacted to submit the following documents:

• a copy of valid standard first aid and CPR Level-C certification with AED
  • Learn how to get certified or re-certified.
  • Find approved first aid training agencies.
• a current 5-year commercial driver’s abstract (issued within the past month)
  • CPOs may have to operate a government vehicle to transport inmates throughout Alberta. For this reason, you are required to provide a current commercial driver’s abstract that includes the last 5 years of your driving history.
  • Obtain your driver’s abstract from a registry agent. Note that this is not a summary of your driving record.

After successfully submitting the documents specified in the previous step, you will be asked for employment references and the academic verification process will begin.

• References – current or past supervisory references are recommended
• Academic verification – if applicable, verification of relevant academic credentials will occur

Once you have completed all previous steps you will be placed into a candidate pool for up to 6 months.

If a vacancy becomes available during the 6-month period, you will be invited to attend an orientation at the location where you will be assigned to.

Orientation will consist of classroom and computer training. It is a mandatory requirement that candidates successfully complete the full orientation session to complete the recruitment process.

After you have successfully completed orientation, you will receive an official offer.