Probation Officer - Auckland

About this role

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini" - Success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many.

Ask those who work in our organisation about what it's like, they will often say; the passion for making a difference is incredible, the work is highly stimulating, and you're exposed to a wide range of challenges and exciting opportunities. A Probation Officer is one of those opportunities. 

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We won't try and fool you into thinking working as a Probation Officer does not have its challenges, it's an extremely busy, time pressured and administration heavy role, however working as a Probation Officer for Ara Poutama Aotearoa, means working with people in our care and their whānau to address criminogenic behaviours and reduce reoffending. You will use our values of manaaki, kaitiaki, wairua, rangatira, and whanau, and 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 the wellbeing of people in our care. By focusing on the wellbeing of the person who has come into our care and management, you will help reduce the chances of them returning to the justice system. You will treat those in our care and management with respect, upholding their mana and dignity.

You could be based at any of our sites within Auckland Region, we will endeavour to place you as close to home as possible however we ask for flexibility based on operational needs.

Ngā Korero Mōu | About you 

Our team come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences which all come together to support the fabric of our mahi and our unique purpose.

If you have the following skills and attributes, you could make a great Probation Officer:

• The ability to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Able to work in a team and motivate others
• The ability to remain positive and resilient in difficult situations
• Critical thinker who can quickly assess information before them
• Previous experience with large caseloads an advantage
• Empathy

Pre-employment checks are required and include drug test, full disclosure criminal conviction check (Clean Slate Act does not apply), and reference checks.

You will also need Full New Zealand Driver's License and a legal right to work in Aotearoa.

Utu ā-Tau | Salary and Benefits

• Starting salaries for probation officers range from $64,359 to $67,648, with incremental pay increases every six months. This structured advancement continues up to $81,909

We offer a professional and progressive environment, continuous learning and development opportunities, access to Regional Staff Welfare Coordinators, Cultural support, Maori & Pasifika Networks along with EAP, insurance and banking packages, selected retail store discounts, and free yearly health checks. 

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu. 

Ara Poutama Aotearoa values diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce which reflects the public we serve.  We welcome applications from disabled and neurodiverse communities, all cultures, faiths, and Rainbow communities, as we appreciate the richness of experience that diversity brings to our organisation.  We strive to make our recruitment process fair and inclusive, and we encourage applicants to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hōkai Rangi (https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/strategy). 

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your as alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success and we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values. 

All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered. 

Applications close on Wednesday 21st May, 2025

If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at careers@corrections.govt.nz.