Probation Officer

Probation Officer - Blenheim

" Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu - Adorn the bird with feather so it may fly"

• Make real impact, build relationships, improve community safety
• Support people & whānau, reduce reoffending, manage sentences
• Strong communication, resilience, teamwork across cultures

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Being a Probation Officer is an incredibly exciting opportunity to make a real difference in your community. You'll have the chance to connect with people, build strong relationships, and do something which really makes a difference and improves public safety.

As a Probation Officer for Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), you will work with people we manage in the community and their whānau to address criminogenic behaviours and reduce reoffending. Using principles of manaaki, kaitiaki, wairua, rangatira, and whānau, you will manage community-based sentences and orders, whilst also preparing reports for the Courts and New Zealand Parole Board.

You will contribute to public safety, viewing this through the lens of manaaki, positive relationships, and the uplifting of wellbeing of people we manage in the community. By focusing on the wellbeing of the person who has come into our management, you will help reduce the chances of them returning to the justice system. You will treat those under our management with respect, upholding their mana and dignity.

(This permanent full-time position is based in Blenheim and involves working 40 hours per week, Tuesday to Saturday.)

Mōu | About you

We are looking for people who:

• Builds relationships with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Works collaboratively and motivates others.
• Demonstrates resilience in challenging situations.
• Uses critical thinking to assess information and make decisions.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You'll also have:

• Strong computer skills with the ability to quickly learn and use new systems.
• Well-developed communication skills that enable you to build working relationships with a wide range of people
• Produces written communication that is clear, concise and logical, and of a high standard that is easily understood by the reader
• Ability to plan and organise at a detailed level to ensure effective use of available resources
• Can participate within a team environment, passing on knowledge that can help others
• A Full New Zealand Driver Licence and a legal right to work in New Zealand without restriction for a minimum of 24 months is required

Ngā painga | The benefits

The salary for this position starts at $70,596 per annum. Once in the role we have 5 step competency framework where you are able to increase your salary over time up to $91,307 per annum.

Mō mātou | 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 Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai 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 ināianei | 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: Wednesday 21st October 2026

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [email protected] , or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.

We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.