Correctional peace officers

Join a team that plays a vital role in maintaining the safety and security of people in correctional, remand and young offender centres.

Overview

Each correctional peace officer (CPO) helps ensure that Albertans have safe and secure communities in which to live, work and raise their families.

CPOs perform a variety of security-related duties in:

Benefits of being a CPO

As a CPO, you get:

  • a pension, excellent benefits and job security
  • provincewide career opportunities
  • a rewarding, challenging and dynamic work environment
  • to be a part of a team with a high level of professionalism
  • paid training opportunities
  • promotion opportunities
  • a chance to help people become contributing members of society

Find out the advantages of working with the Government of Alberta.

Learn about CPO salaries and benefits.

Job description

Duties

CPOs maintain a physical presence on living units and interacts with inmates on a regular basis. This position functions in a 24-hour operation with rotating shifts.

Read the:

Classifications

All successful candidates are hired at the CPO 1 classification.

You may be eligible for reclassification to the CPO 2 level after you have successfully completed:

  • a multi-week staff induction training program
  • your probationary period
  • 24 months as a CPO

Read the correctional and regulatory services definitions.

Qualifications

Requirements

  • a high school diploma plus a minimum of 2 years of related experience
    • equivalencies will be considered based on one year of experience for one year of education, or one year of education for one year of experience
  • a valid standard first aid and CPR Level-C certification with automated external defibrillator (AED)
  • a current certified criminal records check – with fingerprints and issued within the last 6 months
  • young offender centres will require a current certified criminal records check and a vulnerable sector check – issued within the last 6 months
  • experience managing conflict and de-escalation
  • a minimum of 18 years of age
  • a minimum of a current valid Class 5 Canadian Driver’s License.
    • probationary Class 5-Graduated Driver's Licence (GDL) or Learners are not accepted
  • be legally entitled to work in Canada

Assets

  • previous experience as a correctional peace officer or correctional service worker
  • previous experience in law enforcement, military, or security work, or in other first-responder capacities
  • previous experience working with clients with mental health or behavioural issues
  • for young offender centres: previous experience providing direct services to youth (for example, case management, counselling, disability supports, education, mentorship)

Recruitment process

These steps outline the entire recruitment process and indicate when you will be required to submit specific documents.

  • Step 1. Application and documentation submission

    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.

  • Step 2. Virtual interview and written assessment

    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.

  • Step 3. Post-virtual document submission

    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.

  • Step 4. Panel interview

    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.

  • Step 5. Post-panel interview document submission

    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
    • 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.
  • Step 6. References and academic verification

    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
  • Step 7. Orientation training session

    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.

  • Step 8. Offer of employment

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

Apply now

How to apply:

  • Go to the Government of Alberta jobs website.
  • Click the 'Jobs board' link.
  • Enter the keyword 'correctional' into the search field and click the blue 'Search Jobs' button to find the CPO posting.