Bail Support Officer - Dunedin at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Otago (Otakou)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent part-time role - 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday (6 hours per day)
• An opportunity to be part of a supportive closeknit team, working together to empower and support people through the Justice System.
• Based in Dunedin, working alongside our partners A3 Kaitiaki.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Our Bail Support Officers work alongside individuals in custody who are wanting to apply for EM Bail in the community and complete suitability reports for the court. To do this we gather information from many sources including whanau. We also complete progress reports and memorandums to the courts. If bail is granted, Bail Support Services (BSS) offers an opt in service that provides the support necessary for people to succeed on bail. BSS will deliver a service that is centred around the person and their whanau. We commit to intervening at the earliest stage of someone's journey through the Justice Service.   

Mōu | About you

We're looking for people who are passionate about making a real difference for people and their whānau and comfortable working in an often dynamic and fast paced environment.

Report writing is a core part of this role so you will need to be a proficient writer and comfortable using technology.

We need people who are open to learning, sharing ideas and feedback and ensuring the wellbeing of yourself and your team is at the forefront of everything you do.

If you think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply. 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful you'll:

• Be strongly aligned with Ara Poutama values of Manaaki/Respect, Whānau/Relationships, Wairua/Spirituality, Kaitiaki/Guardianship and Rangatira/Leadership.
• Be non-judgemental, see potential in people and have experience supporting a wide range of often challenging people to leverage their strengths to make positive life choices.
• Integrate Te Ao Māori within your professional practice and confidently work across many social, cultural, and ethnic communities to effect positive change – and be willing to continuously grow and learn in this space.
• Naturally be a problem solver and divergent thinker.
• Have good attention to detail, able to gather a wide range of information and demonstrate sound professional decision making.
• Be highly motivated and self-managing with excellent time management and organisation skills.
• Have excellent computer skills and quickly pick up new systems and processes.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Teams, Outlook, Excel.
• A typing speed of at least 40 words per minute.
• Be willing to follow our organisation frameworks and code of conduct.
• You will also need a Full New Zealand Driver Licence.
• Have the right to work in New Zealand for at least 24 months.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The midpoint of the salary range is (pro rata) $75,358 per annum, and the full range (85%-120%) is (pro rata) $66,064 - $83,614 per annum. 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: Sunday 1st February, 2026

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact jess.escott@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.