Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
- Work for a values-led organisation and be a part of a supportive team
- Full training provided and ample opportunity for career progression
- 5 weeks annual leave, free parking, and free on-site gym
'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
Corrections Officers work inside our prisons and are responsible for ensuring the security and wellbeing of people serving sentences or on remand. They induct people into their unit, help them to navigate life in prison, and supervise daily routines. By being prosocial role models, our Corrections Officers also play a significant part in creating change and making our communities safer.
With different prisons, the role of a Corrections Officer varies including tasks across specialised units, security levels and site-specific activities. Some of our Officers work in specialised areas such as drug and alcohol treatment units, youth units, Pasifika units, Māori and tikanga focused units, mothers and babies units and special treatments units.
All new Officers attend an intensive, fully paid training programme to equip them with necessary skills required for the job. This involves an initial week-long induction at your allocated prison site, five weeks at our National Learning Centre (or regional equivalent), then a further four weeks back on site before graduating. From there the learning journey will be ongoing. Our Corrections Officers are all part of a wider custodial team, and there is plenty of support and guidance available.
We currently have opportunities available at our 3 prisons here based in Canterbury – Christchurch Men's Prison, Christchurch Women's Prison and Rolleston Prison. You would need to be prepared to work at any three of these facilities and we cannot guarantee placement at a particular site if successful in the process.
To learn more about the role you can visit our website here: https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/campaign/corrections-officer and we also have a short YouTube video outlining the role which you can watch here: Corrections Officer role explained (youtube.com)
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
We are looking for a diverse range of candidates, from different cultures with varied backgrounds and experience. We are interested to hear from people who:
- Possess solid interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly
- Can operate with high levels of integrity
- Have excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically
- Can operate effectively in a culturally diverse setting and have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Be able to work rostered shifts (predominantly 12-hour shifts) across a 24/7 pattern including weekends and public holidays
- Have a full, clean New Zealand driver licence (or be eligible to obtain one)
If successful, you will be required to complete a full disclosure criminal history check (clean slate does not apply), pre-employment medical, physical and drug testing as a part of the recruitment process.
Ngā painga | The benefits
The starting salary for this position is $70, 019 per annum. Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary as you achieve national qualifications (Level 3 at $74,697, Level 3+ at $76, 697, Level 4 at $80, 213 and Level 4+ at $82, 213).
We are also able to offer:
- 5 weeks annual leave
- 10 week fully paid training programme
- Clear pathway for career progression and continuous learning and development
- Free parking and on-site gym facilities
- A supportive team-environment
- Rosters provided 12 months in advance so you can plan your leave
- 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: 02-Aug-2025
If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact southernrecruitment@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.