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Parole or Probation Officer

Parole officers and probation officers contribute to public safety by identifying and addressing the underlying factors to the criminal and anti-social behaviour of clients. They supervise clients and help them integrate into the community or serve a community sentence.

 

Also Known As

Parole Supervisor, Probation Supervisor

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

  • 4155.1: Probation and Parole Officers

2006 NOC-S

  • E025: Probation and Parole Officers and Related Occupations

2011 NOC

  • 4155: Probation and parole officers and related occupations

2016 NOC

  • 4155: Probation and parole officers and related occupations

2021 NOC

  • 41311: Probation and parole officers

2023 OaSIS

  • 41311.00: Probation and parole officers
Duties
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Duties vary from one position to another.

Parole officers work for the Government of Canada to manage the conditional release of federal offenders.

They make recommendations about placing individuals in the appropriate federal penitentiary. They work with any individual who receives a sentence of 2 years or more, or a suspension of an original federal sentence. Parole officers:

  • Investigate a client’s past and present behaviours by interviewing other individuals staying in the institution, institutional authorities, police, family, and friends
  • Plan programs for clients during their imprisonment
  • Assess the suitability of clients for release under parole and statutory release
  • Submit recommendations to the National Parole Board
  • Develop networks with other parole officers and social welfare and community agencies
  • Liaise with staff in correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and after-care agencies
  • Supervise individuals who have been released on parole, day parole, or statutory release
  • Offer guidance and direction to parolees in dealing with job-related and personal problems

Parole supervisors work in the private sector. They are contracted to supervise parolees who live in communities and rural areas without Correctional Service of Canada offices.

Probation officers work for the Government of Alberta to supervise a broad range of community correctional programs and services for adults and youth.

They administer Court orders and collaborate with justice partners and community stakeholders. Working through the framework of case management, probation officers support client behavioural change by:

  • Assessing, formulating, monitoring, reviewing, and documenting case plans
  • Applying effective practices in community supervision

Probation officers facilitate and foster positive behaviours with clients. They:

  • Supervise individuals who have been released from a correctional or young offender centre on pretrial release, peace bond temporary absence, or provincial parole
  • Supervise individuals sentenced by the Court to probation, community service work, conditional sentences, or supervision
  • Administer and supervise individuals accepted to the alternative measures, extrajudicial sanctions, and fine option programs
  • Gather, analyze, interpret, and process information for investigative and casework processes
  • Prepare pre-sentence reports to assist the court in determining appropriate sentences
  • Complete risk assessments for case planning
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 23, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Parole and probation officers work in offices, courthouses, correctional centres, and police stations. They can also visit clients’ homes and workplaces. They may need to travel to satellite offices.

Parole and probation officers sometimes may work long hours to interview clients and their associates. This might include evenings and weekends.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Probation and Parole Officers

2006 NOC: 4155.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in mentoring in order to plan rehabilitation programs with offenders by establishing rules of conduct, goals and objectives; and in referring offenders to community and social service programs

METHODICAL

Interest in co-ordinating information to compile case records and in submitting information and recommendations to parole boards; may perform administrative duties

DIRECTIVE

Interest in supervising the terms of probation orders, and in recommending remedial action or initiating court action when probationers or parolees violate the terms of rehabilitation programs; may supervise support staff

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

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 for this NOC group 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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Parole and probation officers need:

  • Maturity
  • Good judgment
  • Independence
  • Conflict-resolution skills
  • Time-management skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Analytical and investigative skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Decision-making skills
  • The ability to prioritize work demands
  • The ability to work in a team
  • Cultural and diversity awareness

They should enjoy:

  • Dealing with and helping people
  • Having clear rules and organized methods
  • Supervising others

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Probation and parole officers and related occupations

2016 NOC: 4155

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 14 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 03, 2022 and Dec 05, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Health benefits: Health care plan
Security and Safety: Criminal record check
Accurate
Judgement
Excellent oral communication
Effective interpersonal skills
Values and ethics
Work Setting: Urban area
Interpersonal awareness
Tasks: Liaise with the inmates' families and contacts in the community
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 23, 2023
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

Parole officers who work for the Government of Canada must have 1 of the following:

  • Bachelor of arts (BA) degree with a specialization in sociology, psychology, or criminology
  • Bachelor of social work (BSW) in justice studies
  • Bachelor of applied arts (BAA) in justice studies

Some parole officers have a master’s degree or equivalent. A 2-year college diploma in a related field plus extensive related work experience may be considered.

Parole supervisors who work in the private sector must have at least a 2-year college diploma in a related field.

Probation officers who work for the Government of Alberta must have 1 of the following:

  • University degree in a directly related field
  • 2-year diploma in a directly related field plus 2 years related experience
Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Canadian Criminal Justice Academy
Grant MacEwan University
Medicine Hat College
NorQuest College
Red Deer Polytechnic

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 23, 2023
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Parole officers who work directly for the Correctional Service of Canada must complete a 1-year probation. Advancement to section supervisor and area manager positions is based on merit and experience.

Probation officers employed by the Government of Alberta work in community attendance centres. They may advance to senior probation officers who are responsible for administering the province’s Community Corrections Offices. Senior probation officers supervise probation officers and administrative support staff.

The skills and competencies of a probation officer are transferable to other government jobs and opportunities within related fields.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Probation and parole officers and related occupations
2016 NOC: 4155

96.2% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Probation and parole officers
2021 NOC: 41311
Lower
Demand
1,700
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Probation and parole officers and related occupations
2016 NOC: 4155
1.9%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
25
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Probation officer salaries in the Government of Alberta range from $59,744 to $84,097 (Source: Government of Alberta, 2023 estimates).

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Probation and parole officers and related occupations

2016 NOC: 4155
Average Wage
$43.68
Per Hour
Average Salary
$82,032.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.1
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4155 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

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.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $31.18 $42.06 $34.68 $33.95
Overall $37.47 $51.31 $43.68 $43.62
Top $40.31 $53.44 $45.13 $43.89

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.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Public Administration

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
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Correctional Service of Canada website: www.csc-scc.gc.ca

Government of Alberta, Public Safety and Emergency Services website:  www.alberta.ca/public-safety-and-emergency-services.aspx

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 23, 2023. 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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