Probation officers

Overview

Probation officers play a vital role: They’re dedicated to promoting safe and resilient communities across Alberta.

What's in it for you?

Many people from across Canada and around the world choose to live and work in Alberta each year.

As a probation officer, you 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
• provincewide career opportunities
• paid training opportunities
• promotion opportunities

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

• university graduation in a related field
  OR
• 2-year diploma in a related field plus 2 years related experience

Requirements

• Canadian citizen, permanent resident or eligible to work in Canada
• valid Class 5 driver's license
• current and clear criminal records check

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

There’s a 4-step process to becoming a probation officer:

Step 1. Resume review

Once you’ve 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’re required to bring:

• originals of all requested additional documents you submitted at the application step
• 3 references from work-related supervisors or managers, including one from your current or most recent employer

Use academic references instead of work-related ones if:

• you don't have any work experience
• your work experience is very limited

The interview panel is normally made up of a human resources consultant and a manager or supervisor.

Step 3. Checks and references

After your interview, we:

• check all your references
• verify your academic credentials
• request a criminal record check
• verify your academic credentials

Step 4. Offer of employment

• after you’ve successfully completed all the previous steps, we will contact you with the results
• before we make a final decision about your application, we may invite you to attend a short pre-employment orientation

Training

Our training program for probation officers is paid, challenging and comprehensive. It’s designed especially for you, the new employee.

The program runs for 4 weeks. It delivers both online and classroom sessions provided by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Training Academy and led by probation officer instructors.

We give you a structured learning environment that gives you a strong foundation and instils the pride and professionalism that comes with being a probation officer.

Classroom and field experience

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

• effective casework and notes
• probation
• court orders and violations
• legal reports
• crimes and prosecutions
• report writing
• interview techniques
• investigation techniques
• support and referral services
• Aboriginal awareness
• intervention
• social issues and services

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.