Probation Officer - Oamaru

• No weekend work, Monday to Friday rostered hours
• Make a real impact and help improve community safety
• Build strong relationships and support positive change

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 is a permanent, full-time role based at our Oamaru Community Corrections Centre, working Monday to Friday between 7:00am and 6:00pm.)

Mōu | About you

We are looking for people who:

• Are able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
• Have excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Can work in a team and motivate others
• Can remain positive and resilient in difficult situations
• Are able to think critically and assess information

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Strong computer literacy, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and technology.
• 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

At Ara Poutama Aotearoa, we invest in our people. You'll have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, wellbeing and wellness benefits to support you both at work and at home, travel discounts, and a range of exclusive retail offers and savings.

The midpoint of the salary range is $80,523 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $70,956  $91,307 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

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: Friday  11th September 2026

(Please note shortlisted candidates will be contacted on 14 or 15 September and will be expected to attend an in-person assessment centre the following week.)

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.