Jobs & Careers

Careers in Probation

Staffordshire Probation Area have always recruited locally, throughout the year, for most vacancies.

In this section, you will find information about the different types of career available, and vacancies will be posted here as they become available.

If you are seeking employment outside of the Staffordshire area, you should contact the Human Resources section in the area in which you are seeking employment.

For general information about careers in the Probation Service, download the Careers in the National Probation Service booklet (347kb).

The future of the National Probation Service rests with people like you. People who are passionate about protecting the public, reducing re-offending and helping ex-offenders back into meaningful roles within their local communities.

Trainee Probation Officers

In working with some of the most difficult and dangerous offenders, you will motivate them to change. You will help them take responsibility for their actions, understand the harm they have done and supervise and enforce their court sentences.

As a trainee, you will be working from day one within Staffordshire Probation Area on a fixed term contract (usually 24 months), in conjunction with studying for the Diploma in Probation Studies which combines an undergraduate degree with an NVQ in Community Justice (Level 4).

You will be paid a salary of £17,191 to £18,406 (under review), with a competitive leave allowance and other benefits. By 2010, you could be a professionally qualified Probation Officer, earning upwards of £26,229 (under review) and looking at the many career routes the NPS offers.

The recruitment of Trainee Probation Officers for Staffordshire for 2008, will be from internal staff only.

Closing date for completed application forms is 25 April 2008 (4 pm latest).

If you are interested in applying for another Probation Area, please visit www.probationofficer2008.com.

Visit the Midlands Consortium website for more information or

email : info@npsmidlandsconsortium.org.uk

Probation Officer

You will need strong analytical and reading skills, sound judgement and the ability to motivate people to make significant and difficult changes to their lives.

Most new entrants now join as Trainee Probation Officer, completing a two-year training programme. However, if you have a Diploma in Social Work and experience in working with offenders, you can also join directly and assume your own caseload and a wide range of responsibilities that reflect our varied work.

Probation Service Officer

You will need a genuine interest in working closely with people and being able to provide advice and guidance that may change their lives. Probation Service Officers are involved in all the work of the service, but may specialise in certain areas such as hostels or community punishment. The broad range of duties covers :

• court work;
• helping with the preparation of reports ;
• interviewing offenders - sometimes in their own homes ;
• dealing with referrals for substance misuse, health and accommodation ;
• work or training difficulties ;
• arranging community work placements for offenders ;
• maintaining effective links with statutory and voluntary organisations ;
• supervising offenders within a residential hostel environment.

No formal educational qualifications are required for Probation Service Officer candidates, and there is no upper age limit for people wishing to apply. Vacancies can be found here or in the local press.

Administrators and Support Staff

Throughout the service we need the support of those who can provide professional support and advice to our senior managers, as well as those with good secretarial, reception and practical skills.

Finance, IT and Human Resources Units are based at our Headquarters in Stafford, along with the main decision-making team. They need to be constantly researching and processing data, ensuring that the probation system works efficiently and contributing to further improvement.

The many local offices require administrative support for the probation practitioners. This could include the production of detailed, confidential reports to be presented in court, the input and collation of statistical data, liaising with external agencies and reception duties.

The generous benefits package includes flexible working, 25 days annual leave, 8 public holidays and an excellent contributory pension scheme. Vacancies can be found here or in the local press.

The Probation Service values the diversity which exists in all of our communities and aspires to this being reflected in our workforce and is dedicated to promoting equality, fairness and respect.