SOCIAL PROGRAM OFFICER – Group & Level WP-03

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Job Profile

Social Program Officers (SPOs) are integral members of the correctional team within Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) institutions.

Every day, SPOs assess, develop, and implement social development programs designed to assist offenders with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. They plan, organize, and deliver specific programs to meet the recreational, social, cultural, and personal development needs of inmates.

As a Social Program Officer, you will be expected to develop and deliver these programs according to national standards. You will report regularly on offenders’ progress, and will also act as the liaison between offenders and CSC management.

In order to perform your job effectively, you will work directly with offenders to establish and maintain a positive environment while delivering social programs. You will be expected to engage in frank and open conversations with offenders, while monitoring and encouraging positive behaviour and program participation. Duties include acting as a liaison between institutional staff and offenders, answering offender grievances, and placing orders for inmate goods.

You will also be expected to recruit, train, and work with CSC’s large base of volunteers, and to evaluate programs delivered by volunteers.

Work Environment

CSC has a presence from coast to coast -- from large urban centres with diverse populations, to remote communities across the North.

CSC operates under three levels of management: National, Regional and Institutional/Parole Offices. The National Headquarters in Ottawa performs overall planning and policy development for the Service, while each of the five regional offices implements CSC activities within the Pacific, Prairie, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic regions.

CSC operations include 57 penitentiaries at minimum, medium, maximum and multi-level security classifications. These institutions include specialized facilities for women offenders, Healing Lodges designed to address the needs of Aboriginal offenders and Regional Treatment Centres that provide mental health interventions to offenders.

CSC also operates 16 community correctional centres, and partners with 175 Community-Based Residential Facilities for offenders on some form of conditional release into the community. As well, CSC operates 84 parole offices and sub-offices in every region of Canada.

Diversity

CSC is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce that is reflective of Canadian society. We encourage all ethnicities, cultures, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, and people with disabilities to seek employment as a Social Program Officer.

Career Development

CSC is a large government agency with a wide variety of occupations. Depending on your interest and skill set, career opportunities exist in a variety of positions in the organization, both within an institutional and community setting, as well as at regional or national headquarters.

About the selection process

CSC job opportunities are posted on www.jobs.gc.ca. Applicants are screened according to essential education and experience listed on the advertisement. 

Applicants’ knowledge, abilities, skills and personal suitability may be assessed with an interview. 

Training

Social Program Officers receive training in the delivery of specific programs, including the Community Integration Program, Leisure Orientation Program, Parental Skills Program, and others.

Ready to Apply?

Please visit www.jobs.gc.ca to learn about the job opportunities currently available at CSC and how to apply.