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Part of Corrections and law enforcement careers

Probation officers

Join a team that supports community safety by helping clients with their rehabilitative efforts and ensuring they comply with court orders.

Overview

Probation officers promote safe and resilient communities across Alberta.

What's in it for you?

Probation officers get:

  • a chance to help people re-integrate into the community
  • a rewarding, challenging and dynamic work environment
  • to be part of a team with a high level of professionalism
  • a pension, excellent benefits and job security
  • province-wide career opportunities
  • paid training opportunities
  • promotion opportunities

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

Probation officers are classified as correctional service workers.

Job description

Duties

Your days as a probation officer are exciting, challenging and rewarding. Your duties include investigations, supervising clients and managing cases.

Investigate and report

  • complete reports and case documentation
  • address violations of court orders
  • assist with release plans

Supervise and manage cases

  • assess client risk factors, needs, strengths and motivations
  • engage members of the client's support system
  • collaborate with colleagues
  • make referrals to appropriate programs and services
  • provide interventions aimed at reducing criminal behaviour
  • participate in case discussions
  • complete home and field visits
  • attend court

Classifications

Successful candidates are hired at the Correctional Service Worker 1 or 2 classifications, depending on education and experience.

Probation officer job description

Job requirements

Qualifications

  • 2-year diploma in a related field plus 2 years of related experience
    OR
  • related one year certificate and 3 years of related experience

Requirements

  • Canadian citizen, permanent resident or eligible to work in Canada
  • valid Class 5 driver's license
  • current and clear certified criminal record check with fingerprinting (issued within the last 6 months)

Skills and abilities

  • high degree of integrity and maturity
  • sound judgement and critical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • work efficiently in a team environment
  • confident problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • strong leadership and role model abilities
  • flexible and effective time-management
  • ability to diffuse and manage escalating situations
  • basic computer proficiency and keyboarding skills
  • able to accommodate some shift work

Recruiting process

Step 1. Resume review

Once you have submitted your resume and requested documents through the Government of Alberta Jobs website, we will review your education and work experience.

Step 2. Interview

For the interview, you must bring 3 references from work-related supervisors or managers:

  • one from your current or most recent employer
  • 2 from your next most recent employers

Use academic references instead of work-related ones if either:

  • you do not have any work experience
  • your work experience is very limited

The interview panel normally consists of 2 or 3 members. They usually include the immediate supervisor, manager or director of the position. A talent acquisition consultant may also be present. Interviews may be in person or virtual.

Step 3. Checks and references

After your interview, we:

  • check your references
  • verify your academic credentials
  • request a certified criminal record check (fingerprint-based criminal record check)

Wait times to get a fingerprint-based criminal record check are long. Applicants who are invited for an interview are encouraged to request this check from their local police agency before their interview.

We cannot accept online criminal record checks. Instead, you can make an appointment to have a fingerprint-based check completed at an RCMP accredited private fingerprint company. Any associated costs will be your responsibility.

You are only required to provide this check if we request it.

Step 4. Offer of employment

If you have successfully completed all the previous steps, we will contact you with the results.

Training

Our paid, comprehensive 4-week training program for probation officers is:

  • delivered by the Public Safety and Emergency Services Training Academy
  • led by probation officer instructors
  • a combination of online and classroom sessions

Classroom and field experience

Our instructors guide your professional development – in the classroom and field – through these subjects:

  • effective casework, client goal setting and accurate documentation
  • types of court orders 
  • writing legal reports, including presentence reports and violations
  • motivational interviewing 
  • support and referral services
  • working with Indigenous clients
  • effective practices in community supervision (EPICS)
  • trauma informed care

Apply now

Thank you for your interest in becoming a probation officer.

Our most recent competition has closed.

Check back here soon for our next competition.