Probation officer

Be the one leading change every day and keeping our communities safe.

Career Overview

Probation officers are responsible for supervising and supporting adult clients under court-ordered community supervision. In British Columbia, there are around 18,000 Community Corrections clients being supervised by probation officers each day. These individuals have either been ordered to await trial in the community or serve a community sentence, such as a probation order, a conditional sentence order, or a recognizance order.

Probation officers have a range of complex duties that include assessing risk and developing case management strategies based on the Risk Needs Responsivity principle. They also provide individual and group interventions that target the factors most linked to criminal recidivism for sentenced clients. Probation officers monitor compliance with court-ordered conditions, prepare court reports, testify in criminal trials, liaise with justice and community partners, and refer clients to appropriate community-based resources.

As members of the Community Corrections Division of BC Corrections probation officers work in alignment with three main goals: support behavior changes through cognitive-behavioral interventions, provide innovative case management for clients, and strengthen communities through partnerships.

Career Prospects

Probation officers assess client risk and supervise sentenced clients of all risk levels ,as well as those on bail in the community awaiting trial. They provide client supervision aligned with risk-need-responsivity principles (i.e. provide more intensive supervision to medium and high risk sentenced clients), facilitate group programs, and teach cognitive behavioural interventions to clients. They assist the courts in determining appropriate sentences through the writing of Pre-Sentence Reports and liaise with community justice partners to support best outcomes and provide strength based, culturally aligned interventions for clients. Probation officers participate in regular professional development activities to enhance their client service work. They must be empathic, willing to work collaboratively, have strong oral and written communication skills, and be motivated to continually develop their skills. Probation officers work in communities all over the province. 

Probation officer 14s supervise sentenced clients assessed as low risk for re-offending and clients on bail awaiting trial. They prepare Alternative Measures reports and may assist with the delivery of correctional programs.  Probation officer 14s generally supervise a higher number of clients but have briefer interactions and do not apply cognitive behavioural interventions.  Probation officer 14s must be flexible and have strong organizational and decision-making skills.  Probation officer 14 positions exist in some, but not all locations, depending on the staffing needs of that office and community.

For more information about the probation officer roles please review the Applicant Information Package.

Job opportunities are posted on the BC Public Service Website.  Job applicants are required to create an account to view and apply to current positions.

• For career outlook information for probation officers, visit the BC Public Service Featured Careers page.

• For more information about BC Corrections, including Community Corrections, visit the Profile of BC Corrections.  

• For information about parole officers, visit the Correctional Service of Canada website.

Probation Officer Competencies

• Continuous Development
• Decisive Insight
• Flexibility
• Integrity
• Cultural Agility
• Listening, Understanding and Responding
• Service Orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation

For specific definitions of these competencies, visit the BC Public Service webpage.

Position Requirements

• Educational requirements:
  • Adult Probation Officer 14 - a two-year diploma or 60 credits of post-secondary education towards a diploma or degree from a designated Canadian educational institution.
  • Adult Probation Officer 24 - A Bachelor’s degree from a designated Canadian educational institution; OR, a two-year diploma or 60 credits of post-secondary education towards a diploma or degree from a designated Canadian educational institution and three years of full-time related experience (or equivalent) working with people with complex social, health or legal needs.
• Successful completion of the JIBC Adult Probation Officer online course. Exemptions may apply – Refer to the Applicant Information Packages for more information.
• Valid BC Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent with no restrictions (a valid Class 7 may be considered)

Security Screening

Candidates offered a position must complete and pass the Criminal Record Review Act Check (CRRA), Enhanced Security Screening including fingerprint screening and JUSTIN and CORNET provincial database checks. Successful applicants will be required to submit to a driver’s abstract review for the last five-year period.