Correctional Services Worker
Correctional services workers supervise adult and young offenders. They also run a variety of correctional programs and services.
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Avg. Salary $80,817.00
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Avg. Wage $42.52
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Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
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Outlook N/A
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Employed < 1500
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Correctional Centre Caseworker, Living Unit Officer, Youth Justice Worker
NOC Codes
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
- 2006 NOC: Classification Officers, Correctional Institutions (4155.2)
- 2006 NOC-S: Probation and Parole Officers and Related Occupations (E025)
- 2011 NOC: Probation and parole officers and related occupations (4155)
- 2016 NOC: Probation and parole officers and related occupations (4155)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $33.83 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $42.52 |
| Top | $43.88 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg
Interest Codes
The Correctional Services Worker is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Classification Officers, Correctional Institutions
- SOCIAL
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Interest in mentoring in order to plan rehabilitation programs with offenders by identifying needs and setting goals and objectives; and in advising and counselling inmates regarding their problems
- METHODICAL
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Interest in co-ordinating information to prepare classification reports
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in recommending types of incarceration and interventions considered most beneficial for the rehabilitation of inmates, and in developing suitable rehabilitation programs
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional services workers work in correctional or young offenders centres. They:
- Assess offenders
- Develop case plans
- Provide group and one-on-one counselling
- Orient offenders when they arrive
- Prepare offenders for release into the community
- Provide feedback on policies
- Write reports
- Do other administrative tasks
Correctional services workers who work inside a residential correctional facility or young offender centre manage the behaviour of the offenders assigned to them. They also monitor their security.
Youth justice workers work in young offender centres or open custody group homes. They work with young people who have been charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and are in custody or temporary detention. In general, youth justice workers:
- Ensure security
- Supervise daily routines
- Assess young offenders
- Develop, implement, and monitor case plans
- Provide leisure activities
- Conduct group meetings
- Provide one-on-one counselling
- Talk to probation officers, parents, guardians, and others to plan for the release of the young person into the community
- Prepare custody progress reports for court reviews of custody sentences
Living unit officers work in residential correctional facilities. They work with adult offenders. They have a variety of security and casework duties. They may:
- Do security checks of the unit
- Orient new offenders to the unit
- Provide one-on-one and group counselling
- Provide referrals
- Help with pre-release and release planning
- Maintain records of offenders’ behaviour
- Escort offenders
Correctional centre caseworkers usually:
- Check offenders’ backgrounds and suggest training and program plans
- Compile and document details about offenders’ lives, education, work, and criminal records
- Develop treatment plans
- Advise offenders about their rights of appeal
- Arrange offender access to suitable resources
- Stay in contact with the institutional and community resources and government agencies that care for and rehabilitate offenders after release
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Work hours and settings vary widely depending on the role. For example, correctional services workers who escort offenders on day parole may take them to visit parents in hospital. Institutional staff work shifts.
Physical requirements also vary. Correctional services workers may sometimes need to restrain offenders. They must be ready to respond if a dangerous situation arises. This may happen during security checks or when orienting new offenders.
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Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional services workers need:
- Maturity and good judgment
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- The ability to cope with stressful, risky, and unexpected situations
They should enjoy:
- Supervising others
- Helping people
- Assessing levels of offender risk and recommending interventions
- Working with clearly defined rules and organized methods
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Entry-level correctional services worker positions generally require a 2-year diploma or a university degree in a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted. Knowledge of Indigenous culture or languages is an asset.
Federal correctional services workers need to be Level 1 correctional peace officers first. For more information, see the Correctional Peace Officer occupational profile.
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Athabasca University
Badlands Community College
Grant MacEwan University
Lethbridge College
Medicine Hat College
Mount Royal University
NorQuest College
Red Deer College
Simon Fraser University
University of Alberta
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional services workers mainly work in:
- Correctional centres
- Young offender centres
- Open custody group homes
- Community attendance centres
They may work for:
- The federal government
- The provincial government
- Private-sector social service agencies
Experienced correctional services workers may advance to supervisory positions. If they have the qualifications, they may transfer to other areas in correctional service.
Correctional services workers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4155: Probation and Parole Officers and Related Occupations. In Alberta, 96% of people employed in this classification work in Public Administration [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the Public Administration industry
- Location in Alberta
- Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
- Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
- Size of the occupation
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $30.99 | $39.98 | $33.83 | $33.74 |
| Overall | $33.49 | $47.82 | $42.52 | $43.15 |
| Top | $38.33 | $50.18 | $43.88 | $43.63 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| Public Administration | $81,118 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $80,817 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional Service Canada website: www.csc-scc.gc.ca
Government of Alberta website, Justice and Solicitor General: www.alberta.ca/ministry-justice-solicitor-general.aspx
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
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