Probation Officer - Wellington

Department of Corrections NZ; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 71,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Corrections NZ invites applications for Probation Officer in the Wellington Region. This full-time, permanent role starts in January 2027 and focuses on community-based management, report preparation for Courts and the NZ Parole Board, and contributing to public safety through manaaki and whanau-centred practice.

Successful applicants will build relationships across cultures, uphold dignity, and work as part of a values-led team dedicated to reducing re-offending.

Qualifications

• Well-developed communication skills enabling relationships with a wide range of people.
• Produces written communication that is clear, concise and logical, 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.
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence and a legal right to work in New Zealand for 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Manage community-based sentences and orders under the Corrections framework.
• Prepare reports for Courts and the New Zealand Parole Board.
• Contribute to public safety and the wellbeing of people under management.
• Engage with whānau and uphold manaaki, kaitiaki, and rangatira values.
• Collaborate with colleagues and adapt to challenging situations.

Skills

Communication

Written communication

Planning & organising

Teamwork

Driver Licence NZ

Job description

## About this role**Probation Officer – Wellington Region*** **We need positive role models with a passion for empowering others!*** **This is a challenging role that can have a positive impact on your community.*** **We have full-time, permanent positions available around the Wellington Region.*** **January 2027 start date.****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 whanau to address criminogenic behaviours and reduce reoffending. Using principles of manaaki, kaitiaki, wairua, rangatira, and whanau, 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.We have roles available throughout the Wellington Region.**Due to training timeframes, and the lead up to Christmas, the successful applicant/s for this role will begin in January 2027.****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 informationIn line with our Strategy *Hōkai Rangi*, we are prioritising applications from people who have experience in a Kaupapa Māori or Pasifika environment and/or a willingness to learn. Please highlight any relevant experience and/or language skills in your application**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience*** 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* We require a Full New Zealand Driver Licence and a legal right to work in New Zealand without restriction, for a minimum of 24 months.**Ngā painga | The benefits**The full salary range (Level 1 - 5) is $70,956 to $91,307. 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:** Monday 26th October, 2026**Note:** shortlisted applicants for this role will be invited to an assessment centre in early November.If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [e-mail], or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.