Probation Officers Association of Ontario, Inc. | home
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If you have a specific question which requires a timely response, please refer to the Provincial Executive list or Branch Directory page to locate the best person to contact directly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What qualifications or education do I need to become a probation officer in Ontario?
In order to carry out their tasks effectively, Probation Officers and Probation and Parole Officers must be educated and well informed about the latest correctional practices. All officers in the Province hold, as a minimum, a university degree in one of the social sciences; many officers have completed graduate degrees. Everyday these professionals interact with other well educated professionals in the criminal justice community such as the police, the judiciary, crown attorneys, defence counsel, school officials, mental health professionals such as psychologists and psychiatrists, and various community partners. Officers must possess superior writing skills, excellent communication and assessment skills, good organizational and analytical skills and, a strong sense of community and client advocacy.
2. What kind of experience would be benificial to me in becoming a probation officer in Ontario?
Most successful new probation officer hires bring with them experience in various settings including jails, group homes, counselling agencies, addiction treatment centres, and young offender custody/detention settings. As well, many probation officers get their start volunteering in their local probation office.
You can locate your local office by checking the blue pages of your phone book. To locate volunteer opportunities with adults, search for your local "Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Probation and Parole office." To locate volunteer opportunities working with youth, search for the "Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Youth Justice Services, Probation Office."
Please keep in mind that the POAO has no role in the hiring of staff to the Provincial Government.
To contact the POAO generally or to comment on our web site, please send us the form below. Please be patient as a quick response cannot be guaranteed:
Probation Officers Association of Ontario
2100 Bloor Street West, Suite 6245
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M6S 5A5
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