Probation and Parole Officers and Related Workers

(NOC 4155)

in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

Probation officers monitor the conduct and behaviour of criminal offenders serving probation terms. Parole officers monitor the reintegration of criminal offenders serving the remainder of sentences while conditionally released into the community on parole. Classification officers assess inmates and develop rehabilitation programs for criminal offenders who are incarcerated in prisons. They work for federal and provincial governments and work in the community and in prisons.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

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  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

  • Estimate 1830 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5515 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$24.76

Minimum

$35.00

Median

$47.18

Maximum

Annual Pay

$55,923

Minimum

$75,697

Median

$84,739

Maximum

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

Hourly Pay

$16.30

Minimum

$30.00

Median

$51.30

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,616

Minimum

$44,335

Median

$92,599

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Probation officers monitor the conduct and behaviour of criminal offenders serving probation terms. Parole officers monitor the reintegration of criminal offenders serving the remainder of sentences while conditionally released into the community on parole. Classification officers assess inmates and develop rehabilitation programs for criminal offenders who are incarcerated in prisons. They work for federal and provincial governments and work in the community and in prisons.

Job duties

Probation and parole officers:

  • 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 offenders, establishing rules of conduct, goals, and objectives.
  • Refer 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 corrective action or start court action when terms of probation or parole are violated.
  • May perform administrative duties and supervise support staff.
  • May participate in policy development.
  • Interview inmates to assess adjustment problems and develop suitable rehabilitation programs.
  • Prepare classification reports recommending type of incarceration and types of interventions considered most beneficial for the rehabilitation of the inmates.
  • Communicate with the inmates' families and contacts in the community to maintain established bonds outside of the institution.
  • Advise and counsel inmates regarding their problems and evaluate their progress.

Sample job titles

  • case manager
  • correctional centre caseworker
  • parole officer
  • parole supervisor
  • probation and parole officer
  • probation officer
  • welfare program officer
  • youth worker

Skills

  • You should have an interest in the social welfare of others and a desire to help them. Patience, maturity, good listening skills, and an understanding of human nature are important. You must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. Leadership, reasoning, and decision-making skills are also necessary.

Job requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in social work, criminology, psychology, sociology or other related social science discipline is required.
  • A master's degree in social work, criminology, psychology or other related social science discipline may be required.

Other considerations

  • On-the-job training is ongoing for probation officers, and advancement courses and employee assistance programs are offered for people who wish to upgrade their skills. Corrections Canada has a volunteer program that begins every fall for students who wish to gain a better understanding of the work of probation officers. Progression to correctional service management positions is possible with additional training or experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

185

employed in 2016

97.2%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

55.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
44.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.7

median age

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

55,420

employed in 2016

76.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

64.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
36%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

44.7%

Halifax

$75,267 median annual income
21.1%

North Shore

$81,363 median annual income
15.8%

Southern

N/A
10.5%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
7.9%

Cape Breton

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

100.0%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

41.0%

45-54

32.0%

35-44

19.0%

55-64

8.0%

25-34

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

24.2%

35-44

22.7%

45-54

21.4%

25-34

17.2%

55-64

8.4%

15-24

Top levels of education

67.6%

Bachelor

$75,902 median annual income
16.2%

Master

N/A
10.8%

College Diploma

N/A

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

28.9%

Bachelor

$45,929 median annual income
21.2%

College Diploma

$35,398 median annual income
16.8%

Master

$71,043 median annual income
14.6%

High school

$29,055 median annual income
4.6%

Doctorate

$100,443 median annual income

Education & training

Applied Behaviour Analysis

College or University Program

These programs focus on applying principles of learning and behaviour to enhance the development, abilities, and choices of children and adults and prepares students to address the behavioural needs of individuals, especially those with developmental disabilities and autism. They include courses in behaviour analysis and learning, behavioural and functional assessment, developmental psychology, applied behavioural analysis in developmental disabilities and autism, applied behavioural analysis in mental health and aging, research methods, evaluation of interventions, and professional and ethical issues.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Child Development

College or University Program

This program engages students in practical training and theoretical explorations in child and youth work, early childhood education, as well as early intervention and inclusive development.

Institutions providing this program

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

Criminology

College or University Program

These programs focus on the systematic study of crime as a sociopathological phenomenon, the behaviour of criminals, and the social institutions evolved to respond to crime. They include courses in the theory of crime, psychological and social bases of criminal behaviour, social value systems and the theory of punishment, criminal law and criminal justice systems, penology, rehabilitation and recidivism, studies of specific types of crime, social attitudes and policy, and applications to specific issues in law enforcement administration and policy.

Institutions providing this program

Eastern College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Psychology

College or University Program

These programs focus on the scientific study of individual and collective behaviour, the physical and environmental bases of behaviour, and the analysis and treatment of behaviour problems and disorders. They include courses in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Social Work

College or University Program

These programs prepare students for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counselling, and focus on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. They include courses in social welfare policy, case work planning, social counselling and intervention strategies, administrative procedures and regulations, and specific applications in areas like child welfare and family services, probation, employment services, and disability counselling.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Sociology

College or University Program

These programs focus on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. They include courses in social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, social stratification and hierarchies, dynamics of social change, family structures, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social groups, social institutions, and social problems.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Youth Services/Administration

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to plan, manage, and implement social services for children, youth, and families. They include courses in child development and psychology, adolescence, family studies, social work, social services administration, juvenile and family law, program and facilities planning, youth leadership, counselling, probation, casework, applicable procedures, and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.

Institutions providing this program

Jane Norman College (Truro)

Truro, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Nova Scotia Department of Justice, Correctional Services Division
Halifax, NS
Canadian Criminal Justice Association
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.