During the recruitment process, there are a few things that we look out for when deciding if someone might suit being a Corrections Officer. Knowing what these attributes are can help you to decide if being a Corrections Officer is the right decision for you, as well as what to work on.     

So, what do we look for, and why?

Acting with integrity and in line with our values

As a Corrections Officer you may be faced with challenging situations, where you need to assess different security and wellbeing considerations, adapt in real time, and respond. That could include a conflict that you need to de-escalate, or it could include situations where someone in prison needs your help.

We provide training on a lot of the policies, procedures, and techniques to support you in this, but acting with integrity, keeping yourself and others safe, and showing care/empathy are good starting points.

We also recommend getting to know our values (whānau, wairua, rangatira, manaaki and kaitiaki) - if you join our team, these will be important to keep in mind as you carry out your work!

Fitness

One of the things that we look for in our recruitment process is a reasonable level of fitness. You don’t need to be an athlete, but we do require candidates to pass a fitness test based on some of the key tasks that you may need to carry out while working as Corrections Officer.

The fitness test includes:

• Walking between units (a 300m speed walk)
  • A simulated search of a cell - lifting and reaching
  • A call to emergency - run five laps of a 20m course that includes stairs
  • A control and restraint activity (grip and pull strength)
  • Rescue of an unconscious person (50kg dummy moved 10m)

To pass, you need to complete the circuit within a certain amount of time.

Check out our PRA guide to see how your current fitness level might compare and get tips on how you can prepare.

Communication skills

If you join us as a Corrections Officer, your day will centre around your interactions with people. That could include your interactions with prisoners, with staff, or even with whānau or social service providers.

Being able to connect with people, listen, support, and empathise, but also be assertive if needed, are all important skills for a Corrections Officer.

It’s also important to be able to relate to people from all walks of life and cultures. Hōkai Rangi, our organisational strategy aims to deliver better outcomes with and for Māori, is central to our work.

Our recruitment process for Corrections Officers has a few different steps involved, as we work in a complex, often challenging environment. We hope this information helps you to understand what we consider in the recruitment process and supports you to put your best foot forward.