EOI Corrections Officer - Hawkes Bay Regional Prison at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Hawkes Bay (Te Matau a Maui)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Expressions of Interest - Corrections Officer - Hawkes Bay Regional Prison

• Help to shape futures & make a difference in people's lives!
• Embark on a challenging & rewarding career
• Free onsite parking & great staff facilities including gym

We currently have very limited vacancies available in Hawkes Bay; however, we encourage you to submit an application to be considered for opportunities in the coming months. 

Ngā kawenga | 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.

The role of a Corrections Officer varies, including tasks across specialised units, security levels and site-specific activities.

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 in Upper Hutt, then a further five 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. You'll get opportunities for professional development, promotion and the ability to gain a recognised qualification in Offender Management.

This role is base at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison in Hastings. 

To learn more about the role you can visit our website at https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/home/corrections-officer/ and we also have a short YouTube video outlining the role which you can watch here: Corrections Officer role explained (youtube.com)

He kōrero mōu | About you 

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 across a 24/7 pattern including weekends and public holidays

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be eligible you need:

• Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. In line with Immigration New Zealand requirements, we are required to give priority to candidates who already hold this right. As a result, we may not be able to support visa applications for this role.

• A full New Zealand Driver Licence (or be eligible to obtain one)
• To declare any conflicts of interest and previous convictions*  
• The ability to pass a drug test
• To be medically fit for employment and complete a Medical Assessment and Physical Readiness Assessment

*Note: The criminal history check is exempt from The Clean Slate Act. In other words, The Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare all offences in your application.

Our prisons operate 24/7 - applicants must be able to work shifts on a rotating roster. 

In line with our Strategy Hōkai Rangi, we are prioritising applications from people who have experience in a Kaupapa Māori or Pasifika environment and/or a willingness to learn. Please highlight any relevant experience and/or language skills in your application. 

We are an inclusive workplace and offer a wide range of support for candidates through the recruitment process to make our interviews and assessment centres accessible for our candidates.

We are looking for a diverse range of candidates, from different cultures with varied backgrounds and experience.  Our standards are high so should you apply to join us you will undergo a comprehensive selection process that will assess you against our core requirements. 

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The starting salary for this position (from 1 July 2024) is $67,519 per annum.
Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary as you achieve national qualifications (Level 3 at $72,197, Level 3+ at $74,197, Level 4 at $77,713 and Level 4+ at $79,713).

We are also able to offer:

• 5 weeks annual leave
• $4000 shift allowance per annum, in addition to your salary
• 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

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hōkai Rangi (https://corr.nz/hr).

We continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau.

We welcome applications from disabled and neurodiverse communities, all cultures, faiths, and Rainbow communities, as we appreciate the richness of experience that diversity brings to our organisation. 

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To apply, please submit your application online, including a CV and Cover Letter describing your motivation for this work, and outlining your relevant skills, experience and personal qualities and how these align with the focus areas of a Corrections Officer. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to your success.

To make sure we get to your application quickly and to keep things transparent, please apply directly using the link below. Just so you know, we handle all applications for Correction Officers roles ourselves and don't use third-party agents. Please note that applications sent via email will not be considered.

If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at careers@corrections.govt.nz.

If you have recently applied for a Corrections Officer role at another of our sites across New Zealand, do not respond to this advertisement. Instead, please phone our Recruitment Team on 0800 437 668 to discuss your application.