Probation Officer - Queenstown

Corrections; Queenstown; Remote; NZD 71,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Learning and development opportunities

Supportive team-environment

Health and well-being benefits

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections is seeking a Probation Officer in Queenstown to support individuals and their whānau, addressing underlying factors of offending and enabling long-term change. You will manage community-based sentences, prepare court reports, and work within a values-led framework that emphasises manaaki, kaitiaki and whānau.

The role includes initial induction, a 25-week training pathway on site, and a starting salary of NZD 70,956 to 75,947 with progression to

Qualifications

• Communicate clearly and effectively with strong writing skills.
• Confident and comfortable learning new systems and technologies.
• Relate well to people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Resilient, empathetic and able to stay calm in challenging situations.
• Think critically and make sound, informed decisions.
• Work collaboratively and contribute to team environments.
• Experience managing large caseloads is advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage community-based sentences and orders.
• Prepare detailed written reports for Courts and the New Zealand Parole Board.
• Support individuals and whānau to address underlying causes of offending and enable long-term change.
• Work within values of manaaki, kaitiaki, wairua, rangatira and whānau, and participate in induction and training pathways.

Skills

Communication

Tech adaptability

Cultural sensitivity

Resilience

Critical thinking

Teamwork

Caseload management

Job description

# Probation Officer - Queenstown## About this role* Be a positive force for change, empowering individuals to make meaningful progress in their lives* Grow your career in a purpose-driven organisation that lives its values every day* Full-time, permanent role based in Queenstown, commencing from February 2027*'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**As a Pīhāna Matakana (Probation Officer) for Ara Poutama Aotearoa, you will work alongside individuals in our care and their whānau to address the underlying causes of offending and support long-term change. Grounded in the values of manaaki (care), kaitiaki (guardianship), wairua (spirituality), rangatira (leadership), and whānau (family), you will manage community-based sentences and orders, while also preparing detailed written reports for the Courts and the New Zealand Parole Board.Your contribution to public safety will be guided by a commitment to positive relationships, wellbeing and the restoration of mana. You will support individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives, helping to reduce the likelihood of future involvement in the justice system. Respect, dignity, and cultural responsiveness will be central to your practice.All new Probation Officers are provided with role specific training to help them succeed in the role. This includes one week Ara Tika (induction week) at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hut, followed by 25 weeks Pou Hapori Iho training pathway which is completed on site.*This is a full-time permanent position based in Queenstown, working Monday -Friday, 40 hours per week.***Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience**We are seeking people who:* Communicate clearly and effectively, with strong writing skills* Are confident and comfortable learning new systems and technologies* Relate well to people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds* Are resilient, empathetic and can remain calm in challenging situations* Think critically and make sound, informed decisions* Work collaboratively and contribute positively to team environments* Have experience managing large caseloads (advantageous but not essential)To be eligible, you must hold a full New Zealand Driver Licence and have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand for a minimum of twenty-four months from your start date.In alignment with Hōkai Rangi, we welcome applications from individuals with experience in Kaupapa Māori or Pasifika environments, or those with a genuine willingness to learn and grow in these areas. Please highlight any relevant cultural experience or language skills in your application.**Ngā painga | The benefits**The starting salary for this position is $70, 956 - $75, 947, with potential to increase to $91,307 over time based on meeting our progression criteria.We are also able to offer:* 5 weeks annual leave* Learning and development opportunities and a clear pathway for career growth* A supportive team-environment* 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.**Applications close on: Tuesday 17th November 2026.**If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [e-mail], 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.**## Job details| | || --- | --- || Job reference: | APA/1954530 || Location: | Southland (Murihiku) || Date posted: | 03-Nov-2026 || Application close date: | 17-Nov-2026 || Attachments: | Probation Officer JD.pdf (PDF, 54KB)Position Description |