Open Competition: Probation Assistants - Nationwide
The Probation Service is an executive agency within the Department of Justice. We play an important role in helping to reduce the level of crime and to increase public safety by working with offenders to help change their behaviour and make good the harm done by crime. We are the lead agency in the assessment and management of offenders in our community.
The Probation Service is holding an open competition for the appointment of Probation Assistants.
Location: We currently have vacancies nationwide. If you are successful in this competition you will be placed on a panel in order of merit from which vacancies will be filled.
Closing Date: 5pm, Tuesday 24th February 2026
To apply: Please note that the Probation Service have engaged with an external recruitment company (CPL Recruitment) to manage the online application process and assist with the selection process. You can apply for the Probation Assistant role by completing the online application via the 'Apply Now' button below.
The Role:
A Probation Assistant (Executive Officer) is a new role in the Probation Service. Working as part of a team, a Probation Assistant’s role is to support in the supervision and management of offenders and in interagency work at an appropriate level.
A Probation Assistant may be assigned to duties in any of the following areas: Courts and Community, Prisons/Places of Detention, Young Persons‟ Probation or other particular assignments that may arise in the Service. A Probation Assistant can anticipate changes in assignment from time to time during their careers with the Service.
The areas of current strategic priority for the Probation Service that are likely to impact on the work of a Probation Assistant include:
- Ensuring community sanctions remain a viable and relevant disposal for the court;
- Expanding the range of community sanctions and approaches to offender rehabilitation available to the Courts, the Department of Justice and other relevant authorities;
- Developing new ways of working with our criminal justice partners, including greater integration of work practices in the management of offenders;
- Developing a more victim sensitive approach in our work with offenders as well as further developing restorative justice interventions and services to victims;
- Engaging with the community in promoting and delivering community sanctions.
In order for Probation Assistants to be effective in their role, candidates need to be:
- interested in public affairs and committed to the concept of public service;
- capable of planning and organising people and resources to meet goals, targets and objectives;
- understanding and sensitive in dealing with others, and persuasive when communicating in general;
- interested in making sure all tasks are completed to a very high standard;
- willing to share ideas and information with people, with the purpose of achieving a particular result;
- interested in working as part of a team;
- capable of presenting written material in a clear, concise, comprehensive and convincing manner;
- fully committed to achieving quality results;
- capable of using initiative as and when appropriate;
Specific Responsibilities of the Probation Assistant Role:
- Assisting Probation Teams in managing the supervision of offenders on Community Service Orders
- Assisting Probation Teams in monitoring low risk offenders
- Assisting Probation Officers in the co-ordination of Programme Delivery
Training
The Probation Service is committed to providing on-going training and development opportunities for all its staff. There is a dedicated staff training and development section within the Probation Service which provides induction training to all new staff. It also offers on-going skills and knowledge training in specific areas relevant to the core work of the Probation Service.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Candidates must, on or before 24th February 2026 -
(i) have obtained in the Leaving Certificate Examination a minimum of grade D at Ordinary (or Pass) level in Mathematics and Irish or English, having obtained a minimum of Grade C in at least five subjects at Higher (or Honours) level papers;
or
(ii) hold a qualification, that in the opinion of the Probation Service, is of a standard in terms of both level and volume of learning that is of at least an equivalent or higher standard to the Leaving Certificate (this will only be determined during the selection process or if a candidate comes under consideration for a position);
or
(iii) have passed the first-year examination of a course leading to a recognised degree;
or
(iv) be serving as a Civil Servant with not less than two years-service. Temporary officers and officers serving in an acting capacity in the eligible grades may compete in the competition provided they fulfil the eligibility requirements set out
And
Demonstrate the competencies set out in Appendix I of the Candidate Information Booklet, as attached to this advert.
Desirable
- A recognised third level qualification relevant to the area e.g., Bachelor of Social Science Degree,Applied Social Care, Social Care, Applied Social Studies, Social Care Practice. Psychology or Criminology.
- Experience of working with offenders/other marginalized groups
- Court Room Experience
- Experience of working with victims and related issues
- Experience of offending behaviour programmes
- Experience of working in addiction treatment settings
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