What type of jobs exist at CSC?
As part of the CSC team, your job is to provide a safe, secure and positive environment for offenders, staff and citizens. Working for CSC often means working with offenders.
CSC offers career opportunities in:
Front-line positions
Front-line staff work directly with offenders. They work together with colleagues to develop each offender's correctional plan. They encourage offenders to participate in reintegration programs.
Correctional officer
Correctional officers (COs) maintain the safety and security of federal penitentiaries. They:
- supervise and interact with offenders
- regularly watch for signs that the safety of others or security of the institution might be at risk
- take appropriate security measures when necessary
Institutions operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Correctional officers (COs) must be able to work shifts, variable hours, weekends and statutory holidays. COs may be required to work overtime.
Duties
As a correctional officer, you will:
- conduct routine patrols and inmate count
- supervise inmate movement and escort inmates both inside and outside the institution
- search cells, offenders, visitors, vehicles, living units, and surrounding areas
- conduct security checks and perform other duties as necessary
- verify safety equipment
- draft daily logs
- submit reports
- brief visitors, volunteers, and other criminal justice professionals who enter the institution
Correctional officer II - Healing Lodge
Duties
As a correctional officer II - Healing Lodge, you will:
- incorporate healing component into the offenders case management in collaboration with the Elder/Spiritual, and other members of the case management team
- have an understanding of the transitory aspects of Indigenous life
- assist offenders to follow their healing path/journey
- conduct escorts
- conduct routine rounds and offender counts
- search cells, offenders, visitors, vehicles, living units and surrounding areas
- brief visitors, volunteers and other criminal justice professionals who enter the institution
As a correctional officer II in a Healing Lodge, you can work at:
Healing Lodges operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Correctional officers (COs) must be able to work shifts, variable hours, weekends and statutory holidays. COs may need to work overtime.
Primary worker/kimisinaw (Correctional officer II)
Primary workers/kimisinaw are the first line of contact for women offenders and play a vital role within the women's facilities. Their role is dual in nature as they perform security and case management-related duties. Not only do they maintain the safety and security of the institution, through the application of strong dynamic and static security but they also assist women offenders in achieving the objectives of their correctional plan; this in turn helps the women successfully reintegrate into the community.
They work as part of an interdisciplinary team composed of psychologists, behavioural counsellors, parole officers, and other interventionists. They contribute to the development of each woman offender's correctional plan and encourage the women to participate in reintegration and healing programs.
As a primary workers/kimisinaw, you can work at:
- Fraser Valley Institution - Canada.ca
- Edmonton Institution for Women - Canada.ca
- Grand Valley Institution for Women - Canada.ca
- Joliette Institution for Women - Canada.ca
- Nova Institution for Women - Canada.ca
- the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge
Institutions operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Primary workers/kimisinaw must be able to work shifts, variable hours, weekends and statutory holidays. Primary workers/kimisinaw may need to work overtime.
The following five principles of Creating Choices form the foundation of CSC's correctional approach for women: empowerment, meaningful and responsible choices, respect and dignity, supportive environment, and shared responsibility.
Duties
As a primary worker/kimisinaw, you will:
- manage an offender caseload, including preparing case management documents and reports
- assist offenders with self-management and encourage pro-social behaviour by being a positive role model
- conduct escorts
- conduct routine rounds and offender counts
- search cells, offenders, visitors, vehicles, living units and surrounding areas
- brief visitors, volunteers and other criminal justice professionals who enter the institution
Review this presentation to discover what you can expect as a primary worker/kimisinaw:
Parole officer
Parole officers supervise and manage a caseload of multiple offenders. They assess an offender's behaviour, accountability and potential risk to society.
Parole officers develop a network of contacts to get accurate information about each offender's progress. They establish and maintain positive relationships with:
- the case management team
- the community at large
- other sources: e.g. family and/or co-workers of the offender
Some local travel may be required.
Duties
As a parole officer, you will:
- meet regularly with the offenders in your caseload and, where necessary:
- interview
- observe
- listen
- question
- counsel
- intervene
- develop appropriate programming and treatment to address the factors that led to an offender's criminal activity
- review and analyze every available source of relevant information when assessing an offender
- use policies and professional judgement to write reports and recommendations to CSC and the Parole Board of Canada
Correctional program officer
Correctional program officers (CPOs) deliver important correctional programs to offenders (e.g. substance abuse and violence prevention programs) daily. They motivate and encourage offenders along the path to successful reintegration.
CPOs work with other CSC staff as part of the case management team. They share information about an offender's accountability and progress.
A CPO's schedule will vary. Occasionally they need to work evenings and weekends.
Visit Correctional programs - Canada.ca to learn more about correctional programs.
Duties
As a correctional program officer, you will:
- help develop and implement an offender's correctional plan
- identify risk factors and which programs will help to reduce an offender's risk of re-offending
- advise offenders while teaching them the skills they need to reintegrate safely into the community
- prepare for classes and grade offenders' work
- formally assess each offender's:
- attitude
- accountability
- progress toward their goals for change
- document offender performance
Social program officer
Social program officers (SPOs) work directly with offenders. SPOs plan, organize, and deliver social programs daily.
Social programs help offenders rehabilitate and reintegrate into the community. They:
- meet the social, cultural, and personal development needs of inmates
- range from community integration programs to parental skills programs
An SPO's schedule will vary. Occasionally they need to work evenings and weekends.
Duties
As a social program officer, you will:
- develop and deliver social programs according to national standards
- monitor and encourage positive behaviour and participation in the programs you deliver
- establish and maintain a positive environment
- interact frankly and openly with inmates
- report regularly on each inmate's accountability and progress
Indigenous-specific jobs
Indigenous offenders are overrepresented in federal custody. CSC provides timely access to effective, culturally appropriate interventions for them. Indigenous-specific positions are those that help Indigenous offenders reconnect with the values, traditions and beliefs of their Indigenous communities while working alongside Elders and spiritual advisors.
Indigenous liaison officer
Indigenous liaison officers (ILOs) provide leadership, cultural awareness, counselling and other services to Indigenous offenders. They are a link between the offender and the Indigenous community.
ILOs work in both correctional settings and Indigenous communities. They occasionally need to work overtime hours.
Duties
As an Indigenous liaison officer, you will:
- ensure the offender's cultural and spiritual needs are understood and met
- help Indigenous offenders understand the rules for corrections and conditional release
- update case management teams on Indigenous offenders' ongoing work with Elders and spiritual advisors
- support Elders and spiritual advisors in their work with Indigenous offenders
- work with Indigenous agencies and communities to help offenders heal and reintegrate into their home communities
Indigenous community liaison officer
Indigenous community liaison officers (ICLOs) monitor, support and motivate Indigenous offenders. ICLOs work with Elders to facilitate, organize and coordinate:
- traditional and spiritual ceremonies
- social activities
- Indigenous cultural programs
ICLOs work with both individual offenders and groups. They work in the community, not in CSC institutions. ICLOs occasionally need to work overtime hours.
Duties
As an Indigenous community liaison officer, you will:
- work to improve reintegration opportunities for Indigenous offenders in the community
- identify needs and resources available to offenders on release
- be the bridge between CSC institutions and the community: particularly for offenders on statutory release
- support the relationship-building process with Indigenous communities and organizations
Indigenous community development officer
Indigenous community development officers (ICDOs) work with Indigenous offenders who want to return to their communities. ICDOs are part of an offender's case management team. They work closely with Elders, spiritual advisors and other CSC staff.
Duties
As an Indigenous community development officer, you will:
- work with offenders and their communities to develop viable, culturally-sensitive release plans as per:
- submit release plans as part of the decision-making process for conditional releases to the:
- ensure that support systems are in place for offenders preparing to return to their community
- build positive partnerships with Indigenous communities
- properly share all relevant information about Indigenous offenders and their reintegration
Indigenous correctional program officer
Indigenous correctional program officers (ICPOs) deliver Indigenous correctional programs to offenders. These programs address, in a culturally sensitive way, positive behavioural change to reduce the likelihood of re-offending.
Duties
As an Indigenous correctional program officer, you will:
- contribute to the healing journey of Indigenous offenders
- guide, motivate and encourage offenders along the path to successful reintegration
- work with Elders, spiritual advisors and other CSC staff as part of the case management team
- share information about an offender's attitude, accountability and progress
An ICPO's schedule may vary. Occasionally they need to work evenings and weekends.
ICPOs may be required to deliver non Indigenous correctional programs.
Correctional program officer: Review the duties of a CPO to understand the responsibilities of an ICPO.
Indigenous community engagement coordinator (ICEC) - Healing Lodges
ICECs develop, manage and implement the Institution’s volunteer strategy for the purpose of enhancing public safety by assisting in the safe reintegration of offenders. An ICEC creates and maintains partnerships with surrounding First Nations, especially those involved in the Memorandum of Understanding and/or Memorandum of Agreement at each specific Healing Lodge, local communities and other organizations and communities that might assist with rehabilitation, education, vocational training, and reintegration.
Duties
As an Indigenous community engagement coordinator, you will:
- Engage and liaise with local communities to seek out opportunities for more work release and community-service escorted temporary absences.
- Analyse and assess information on offenders’ needs and trends in community corrections.
- Recruit, screen, interview, train, and sustain the volunteer portfolio including Citizen Advisory Committee.
- Manage and evaluate each volunteer on an annual basis.
- Work in cooperation with the regional volunteer coordinator or regional project officer, community engagement.
- Perform administrative responsibilities, such as: preparing funding requests, participating in the selection of Citizen’ Advisory Committee (CAC) members, maintaining records, preparing annual reports of volunteer activities, providing briefings and recommending options to the Institution’s senior managers in relation to volunteer services, activities and related resource requirements.
An ICECs schedule will vary and are required to work off site to conduct duties regularly.
Positions in health services
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is the largest employer of nurses and psychologists in the federal government. CSC provides appropriate interventions to address issues related to physical health, mental health and addiction. Different health care staff address these needs for offenders.
Transcript for A Career in Health Care at CSC video - Long version
Did you know that the Correctional Service of Canada is the largest employer of nurses and psychologists in the federal government? If you are a health care professional who is committed to making a difference in the lives of others, then CSC is the right fit for you. Our health care staff play a key role in addressing the immediate and long-term physical and mental health needs of offenders. We offer learning and professional development opportunities while supporting work/life balance.
To show you what it's like to work with us, we asked some of our health care professionals to speak about their work, the satisfaction they feel as well as the challenges they face within our facilities.
One of the main things I think that contributes to CSC being a great place to work is the opportunities that are available. I've been working with CSC as a social worker for the past three years, but there are quite a few opportunities to move into other areas but still work with the same population. So I can work as a Parole Officer, I can get experience in programs. It really just opens up the door so that if you find you are burnt out or if you find that you are not challenged in your current position, there's loads of avenues to get experience and work for the federal government.
We deal with a large variety of offenders here. A lot of offenders we have are very appreciative of the care. There's always security nearby, so even if you are intimidated by someone there's security. You need to be confident when you come into work and have quick medical answers for them. A lot of times, they're just looking for reassurance and they're generally easy to deal with.
My relationship with the inmates is very much a labour of communication, listening, teaching and treatment with respect to various physical and mental health problems.
What I like most about my role at CSC as a psychologist at the Regional Mental Health Centre is having individual therapy sessions with inmates to really delve into their trauma and look at how they can heal and overcome these problems, and then reintegrate into society.
I find a lot of times in talking with other nurses that have come into CSC that some of the ways that's changed them is that at the beginning they really do spend a lot of time thinking about working with offenders, but our nursing attributes come out in the end and working with the whole person becomes what we need to and want to do. And in the end, that changes you a little bit in a good way because you understand sort of the importance of humanity for everyone.
Working at CSC has made me a much more confident individual. I've gained the respect from a lot of different kind of individuals, both staff and offenders. And it's taken me, it's let me look at myself a little bit differently and I like what I see when I look at myself.
The greatest benefit of working at CSC for me is the diversity of the clientele.
The best part of my job really is coming to work. I enjoy my job. I enjoy what I do. I enjoy giving. I enjoy helping.
A regular day at CSC, I don't think there exists a regular day. In the institution, everything changes minute by minute. You can never come to work with a to-do list. Things just roll and you just have to be on top of your game.
Working at the Correctional Service of Canada can be rewarding for the right person. The ideal candidate for a career in corrections is someone who is compassionate and non-judgmental; someone who wants to help others. Health care professionals not only provide health care services for offenders, but also contribute to CSC's mission of helping offenders to become law-abiding citizens while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.
The feature that I find remarkable at the Correctional Service is the variety of tasks that can be completed at different areas. For me, it's managing finances and staff; and being part of various projects in the Quebec Region or at the national level.
CSC is a federal government agency, so on top of the things I like about my actual job - the autonomy and the helpfulness that you can provide for offenders, the interaction that you have with a lot of staff - on top of that, I've got a good decent pension, I've got a great annual leave and sick leave and family-related. There's all those types of benefits that people need to be aware of as well.
I think we're talking about an employer that is open to comments, may change slowly but here's what is being said and that is ready to make changes to ensure that it happens.
We are faced with many different dilemmas, be it ethical dilemmas. We deal with many different types of problems and that in itself can be very satisfying because we feel like we make an impact I think every day when we're dealing with the offenders.
The Correctional Service has a good work atmosphere. There is a lot of teamwork being done. We work with the guards, the health care professionals for all levels, doctors, optometrists, dentists, etc. There is a lot of interaction. We interact quite a bit with mental health too. It takes a lot of communication, trust and respect mutual respect.
I would have no hesitation whatsoever anywhere, anytime, recommending it as a place to work. We can certainly make more money on the street, but you have the opportunity here to work regular hours with a great bunch of people. And I find it very rewarding in terms of the relationship I have made with the staff and with many of the inmates in the institution. I really think we have a position here where we can make a huge difference in how health care is perceived by the inmate population.
A part of nursing at CSC that I find interesting is the expanded role. We are able to follow up, conduct in-depth investigations with our institutional doctor of course, but we are also often autonomous in what we can do.
At the Correctional Service of Canada we are looking for talented people, the kind who are engaged and passionate and who want to be part of shaping the future. CSC is committed to developing and maintaining a strong and diverse workforce that reflects the wider Canadian community that we serve. Whether you are a health care graduate or an experienced health care professional, CSC can offer you the kind of exciting and challenging experience that no other workplace can.
If you want to contribute to changing lives and protecting Canadians, join our team.
Nurse
Nurses are the primary health care providers for federal offenders. Nationwide, CSC employs more than 700 nurses. They work in clinics located in institutions.
The services CSC provides in its clinics are similar to those found in your community. They differ by specializing in services that reflect the needs of the inmate population. For example, CSC clinics pay special attention to:
- infectious disease prevention and control
- methadone maintenance programs
- inmate suicide prevention
- enhanced discharge care planning
- mental health interventions
Nurses at CSC are more autonomous than nurses are normally in the community. They often make their own decisions based on:
- experience
- judgement
- clinical assessment skills
Nurses work in shifts, including some weekends and statutory holidays. They occasionally need to work overtime.
Duties
As a nurse you will:
- provide inmates with essential health care
- provide inmates with reasonable access to non-essential mental health care
- contribute to the inmate's rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community
- work closely with other professionals at CSC to improve the lives of offenders
Psychologist and assistant psychologist
CSC enhances prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. CSC is the largest federal employer of psychologists in Canada. It employs over 300 psychologists. These psychologists are world-renowned for:
- their work in developing risk assessment tools
- contributing to corrections research
Psychologists provide services in both correctional institutions and the community.
Psychology internships with CSC: Get information on CSC's accredited clinical psychology internships.
Duties
As a psychologist and assistant psychologist you will:
- address the mental health needs of offenders
- provide psychological screening, assessment and treatment to offenders
- consult with fellow employees and managers about offenders' criminal risks
- develop and deliver effective interventions and treatments to offenders
- provide other services related to offenders' reintegration into society
Pharmacist
CSC pharmacists ensure the correct and safe supply of medical products to offenders according to professional standards. They are trained in all aspects of medication handling, including:
- compounding
- dispensing
- medication profile maintenance
- drug therapy
- drug interactions
- side effects
They work closely with other members of CSC's health-services team to review and follow up pharmaceutical care strategies.
Duties
As a pharmacist you will:
- provide essential pharmacy services to offenders
- order and maintain the stock of pharmaceutical supplies
- provide advice on the selection of optimal, cost effective drug therapy
- assist in the operation of CSC's regional pharmacies
Social worker
Social workers help offenders reintegrate into the community by arranging community services for those with mental and physical health needs. They advocate and coordinate for the continuity of health-care services for offenders as they return to the community.
Social workers act independently. They make decisions based on their:
- experience
- judgement
- clinical assessment skills
They also need to work well in a team setting to provide effective interventions and treatments to offenders.
Duties
As a social worker you will:
- provide comprehensive needs assessment
- conduct individual and group counselling
- deliver programs
- promote education and awareness
- consult with other professionals about an offender's criminal risk and health status
- provide expert advice and recommendations on the development and implementation of comprehensive clinical release plans for offenders
- complete discharge care planning
Other operational and professional jobs
Tradesperson
Most tradespersons at CSC work in a team environment, with the assistance of three or four offenders. Many offenders choose to learn one of the many trades that CSC teaches. They include:
- electricians
- plumbers
- construction workers
- carpenters
- roofers
- welders
- machinists
- specialists in heating, ventilation and air conditioning
Learning a trade is a proven approach that allows an offender to get marketable skills. Offenders can often get credit towards a provincially certified trade apprenticeship for the time they spend developing these trade skills at CSC.
Related links
Current openings: Search all job openings available at CSC at this time.
Apply for a job at CSC - Canada.ca: Review CSC's hiring process. Apply to be a correctional officer, primary worker, parole officer and more.
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