Corrections Officer - Canterbury Prisons

About this role

We are currently accepting Expressions of Interest for Corrections Officers at Canterbury Prisons for a 2027 start.

• Currently seeking applications for 2027 intakes
• Full training provided and ample opportunity for career progression
• 5 weeks annual leave, free parking, and free on-site gym

'Kotahi anō te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi' –‘There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and wellbeing of our people.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Corrections Officers work inside our prisons and are responsible for ensuring the security and wellbeing of people serving sentences or on remand. They induct people into their unit, help them to navigate life in prison, and supervise daily routines. By being prosocial role models, our Corrections Officers also play a significant part in creating change and making our communities safer.

With different prisons, the role of a Corrections Officer varies including tasks across specialised units, security levels and site-specific activities. Some of our Officers work in specialised areas such as drug and alcohol treatment units, youth units, Pasifika units, Māori and tikanga focused units, mothers and babies units and special treatments units.

All new Officers attend an intensive, fully paid training programme to equip them with necessary skills required for the job. This involves an initial week-long induction at your allocated prison site, six weeks at our National Learning Centre (or regional equivalent), then a further four weeks back on site before graduating. From there the learning journey will be ongoing. Our Corrections Officers are all part of a wider custodial team, and there is plenty of support and guidance available.

We are looking for Corrections Officers to work at our 3 prisons here based in Canterbury – Christchurch Men's Prison, Christchurch Women's Prison and Rolleston Prison. You would need to be prepared to work at any three of these facilities and we cannot guarantee placement at a particular site if successful in the process.

To learn more about the role you can visit our website here: https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/campaign/corrections-officer and we also have a short YouTube video outlining the role which you can watch here: Corrections Officer role explained (youtube.com)

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for a diverse range of candidates, from different cultures with varied backgrounds and experience. We are interested to hear from people who:

• You must have the ability to confidently understand, speak, read, and write English
• Possess solid interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly
• Can operate with high levels of integrity
• Have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically
• Can operate effectively in a culturally diverse setting and have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Be able to work rostered shifts (predominantly 12-hour shifts) across a 24/7 pattern including weekends and public holidays
• Have a full, clean New Zealand driver licence (or be eligible to obtain one)

If successful, you will be required to complete a full disclosure criminal history check (clean slate does not apply), pre-employment medical and physical as a part of the recruitment process.

Please be aware that you must have the right to work for a minimum of 24 months without restrictions (at time of start date) to be eligible for this role.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The starting salary for this position is $70,019 per annum. Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary as you achieve national qualifications (Level 3 at $74,697, Level 3+ at $76,697, Level 4 at $80,213, and Level 4+ at $82,213).

We are also able to offer:

• 5 weeks annual leave
• $4000 shift allowance per annum, in addition to your salary
• 12 week fully paid training programme
• Clear pathway for career progression and continuous learning and development
• Free parking and on-site gym facilities
• A supportive team-environment
• Rosters provided 12 months in advance so you can plan your leave
• Health and well-being benefits including access to EAP, eye care benefits, health checks and more

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.

Only one application per candidate required to apply for a Corrections Officer role - Please do not create additional profiles to apply for more than one Corrections Officer position.  We will call you to have a chat with you about your preferred location.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact southernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.