Job description Probation And Parole Officer in the Vancouver Island and Coast Region

Find out what work is like for a probation and parole officer in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Probation and parole officers and related occupations (NOC 41311).

Probation and parole officers

Description

Probation officers monitor the conduct and behaviour of criminal offenders serving probation terms and serving sentences of two years less a day. They are employed by provincial government. Parole officers monitor the reintegration of criminal offenders serving the remainder of sentences on conditional release and individuals that are subject to a long term supervision order. They also assess inmates and develop rehabilitation programs for criminal offenders who are incarcerated in correctional facilities. They are employed by federal and provincial governments. Both, probation and parole officers work in the community and in correctional facilities including young offender's correctional facilities.

Work week duration

Probation and parole officers usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Probation and parole officers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Interview inmates to assess adjustment problems and develop suitable rehabilitation programs
  • Prepare reports for the recommendation of security level, penitentiary placement, type of incarceration and types of interventions considered most beneficial for the rehabilitation of the inmates
  • Interview offenders, police, family, friends, school authorities and employers to prepare pre-sentence reports and assess offenders' prospects for successful reintegration into the community
  • Plan rehabilitation programs with inmates, establishing rules of conduct, goals and objectives
  • Refer inmates and offenders to community and social service programs, as required
  • Supervise the terms of a probation order and attend court
  • Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans
  • Recommend remedial action or initiate court action when terms of probation or parole are violated
  • Attend court proceedings to provide expert testimony on an inmate’s case as well as detention and dangerous offenders status court rulings
  • May perform administrative duties and supervise support staff
  • May participate in policy development.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Sitting
  • Making repetitive motions

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Probation and parole officers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Community and correctional facilities
  • Federal government departments
  • Provincial government departments

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, environmentally controlled

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 41311), and a list of similar occupations:

  • parole officer
  • probation officer

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Probation and parole officers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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