Program Officer

Anishinabek Employment & Training Services; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Education programs

Compensation package

Salary progression

Flexible work arrangements

Modern workplace

Job summary

Ontario Public Service in Thunder Bay is hiring for a Social Program Officer/Assistant to work across five TBCC sites. The role focuses on identifying rehabilitative needs, delivering core programs, and coordinating resources for inmates in a dynamic correctional setting.

We offer a comprehensive compensation package, professional development opportunities, and a structured salary progression. The position requires strong communication, understanding of the justice system, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience in group facilitation.
• Ability to deliver rehabilitative programs to inmates.
• Understanding of the justice system, court processes and offender rehabilitation.
• Ability to understand and apply relevant legislation such as the Ministry of Correctional Services Act.
• Knowledge of community agencies and resources to assist in discharge planning.

Responsibilities

• Identify offender rehabilitative needs using client demographics and resources.
• Develop, deliver, and facilitate core rehabilitative programs to groups of offenders.
• Organize resources to deliver programs as a facilitator.
• Enroll offenders to participate in programs and ensure resources are in place.
• Interview and respond to inmate requests regarding programming.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Group facilitation

Inmate rehabilitation programs

Effective communication

Judicial system knowledge

Legislation understanding

Discharge planning resources

Motivational interviewing

Job description

The Ontario Public Service is one of the largest employers in the province, with a wide range of exciting career opportunities. We believe in the core values of trust, fairness, diversity, excellence, creativity, collaboration, efficiency and responsiveness.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive compensation package, including:

• A defined benefit pension plan
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits which includes adoptive parents
• Comprehensive Health Plan
• Life and Disability insurance
• Collegial and professional work culture
• Career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• We provide on-the-job training to support your success in the role

Thunder Bay's correctional facilities are transitioning to a single campus workplace, the Thunder Bay Correctional Complex (TBCC), in the near future. The Complex will include the following five sites, all forming part of the same workplace:

• Site 1 – 2395 Highway 61 South (currently o/a Thunder Bay Correctional Complex - Central Operations Hub)
• Site 2 – 2351 Highway 61 South (currently o/a Thunder Bay Correctional Centre - Modular Build Facility)
• Site 3 – 2351 Highway 61 South (currently o/a Thunder Bay Correctional Centre - Male Dormitory)
• Site 4 – 2351 Highway 61 South (currently o/a Thunder Bay Correctional Centre - Female Dormitory)
• Site 5 – 285 MacDougall Street (currently o/a Thunder Bay Jail)

Applying for, accepting employment at, or requesting a lateral transfer to the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, Thunder Bay Jail, or any specific site within the Complex during this transition process does not guarantee initial or ongoing assignment to that particular site.

Successful applicants are expected to be able to work at any of the five TBCC sites listed above and may be reassigned to any of the TBCC sites in the future based on operational requirements.

Applicants should consider this single campus workplace arrangement when submitting their application or expression of interest.

Employment Type

Full Time

Job Occupation Type

Social Program Officer/Assistant

Total Positions

1

Wage

$1,213.06-$1,484.47

Hours/Week

0

Days of Work

Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

Closing Date / Apply By

11/16/2026

Start Date

n/a

Duties

• Identify offender rehabilitative needs using client demographics and available community resources
• Develop, deliver, and facilitate core rehabilitative programs to groups of remanded and sentenced offenders
• Organize resources to effectively deliver programs as a facilitator
• Enroll offenders to participate in programs and ensure that resources are in place to deliver the program
• Interview and respond to inmate requests regarding programming
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

What you bring to the team

Specialized Knowledge and Experience

• You have knowledge of and experience in group facilitation
• You are able to effectively facilitate, instruct, and deliver rehabilitative programs to inmates
• You have knowledge of the justice system, court processes and court documentation as well as understanding of offender rehabilitation
• You are able to understand and apply relevant legislation such as the Ministry of Correctional Services Act
• You have knowledge of and experience working with community agencies and resources in order to assist in discharge planning

Communication (Oral and Written) and Interpersonal Skills

• You have motivational interviewing skills to engage inmates who have diverse needs and security requirements
• You can clearly and accurately communicate with inmates as well as work effectively with correctional staff and community contacts

Analytical, Investigative and Evaluative Skills

• You can obtain information, assess suitability of inmates for various rehabilitative programs, and make recommendations based on established criteria
• You have problem-solving and decision-making skills to manage contentious issues or situations
• You have proven ability to prioritize and complete work in timely fashion
• You have organizational skills to coordinate and schedule programs

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment