Background
The Probation Service is an agency of the Department of Justice and is a national service, with a remit to contribute to safer communities’ and fewer victims through offender rehabilitation. This is achieved by the effective assessment and management of offenders, challenging offending behavior and facilitating the integration of ex-offenders.
The Probation Service works to achieve a safer and fairer Ireland by:
- Ensuring Court orders are implemented;
- Reducing risk of harm to the public;
- Reducing likelihood of reoffending;
- Making good the harm done by crime (reparation and restorative justice).
The Probation Service delivers services to contribute to public safety, improve communities and support offenders to change. Its role in this context is to:
- Work with communities and neighbourhoods to manage offenders so as to reduce offending behaviour;
- Challenge offending behaviour;
- Facilitate the integration of ex-offenders into society so that they do not re-offend;
- Manage through effective partnerships offenders and those at risk of causing harm.
The Service provides probation supervision, community service, community return, offending behavior programmes and specialist support services to both adult and young offenders. It also provides a Probation service to prisons and places of detention to rehabilitate offenders and facilitate prisoner reintegration. The Service has responsibility for the supervision each year of 15,000 offenders in the community nationally.
The Role
A Probation Officer in the Probation Service of the Department of Justice 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 Officer 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 Officer 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 theCourts, 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.
Accountabilities for the Position
- Meeting Service standards and guidelines in the preparation of assessment reports on offenders.
- Managing the supervision of offenders subject to a range of Court orders including Probation Orders, Community Service Orders, and post custody supervision.
- Delivery of Young Persons‟ Probation programmes, including the preparation of court reports, engaging with and motivating young offenders and implementing the Children Act 2001.
- Ensuring offenders‟ compliance with Court Orders and other orders being managed on behalf of relevant authorities e.g. Department of Justice, the Irish Prison Service.
- Delivery of interventions with offenders to reduce offending, establish pro-social behaviour and reduce victimisation.
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 officers. It also offers on-going skills and knowledge training in specific areas relevant to the core work of the Probation Service.
Location of Posts
All candidates will be considered to have applied for a national panel only. The majority of vacancies will be located in Dublin.
Candidates should be aware that requirements in relation to working on site at their place of work will be in line with the Probation Service Blended Working Policy.( All Probation Officers are required to attend their place of work on, at least three days per week to be agreed with their line manager. Additional in person attendance may be also required depending on the business need).
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Candidates must, on or before 24th of February 2026, have
1. A Qualification at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Social Science with social policy component, or an equivalent qualification recognised for entry onto one of the Social Work courses approved by CORU, Health and Social Care Professionals Council.
OR have being working as a Social Worker
and
2. Have experience in and capacity to demonstrate the following:
a) Interviewing skills
b) Report writing and assessment skills
c) Case management skills, including ability to meet deadlines
d) Ability to work as part of a team
and
3. Have knowledge of:
a) The Criminal Justice system
b) Community resources and how these can be mobilised
Desirable
- CORU registered for social work
- Post qualification work experience in a probation or social work setting
- Court room skills
- Knowledge of a range of social work methods of intervention
- Knowledge of legislation relevant to the work of a Probation Officer
- Knowledge and understanding of victim related issues
- Knowledge of offending behaviour interventions and programmes
- Ability to engage and motivate offenders
- Knowledge of addictions
- A full current driving licence that enables you to drive in Ireland and a car available for official business use or access to a form of transport which enables you to meet the full requirements of the post
It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria. Eligibility may not be confirmed until an applicant comes under consideration for assignment. An invitation to an interview does not constitute acceptance of eligibility.
How 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 Officer role by completing the online application form via the 'Apply Now' button below.
Closing Date
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5pm, 24th of February 2026.
It is suggested that you apply well in advance of the closing date in case you experience any difficulties. Support will be available via email at [email protected]
The onus is on the candidate to fully complete the application form. Candidates are at risk of their candidature being withdrawn should they submit a blank or partially completed application. Only fully completed applications will be accepted.
The admission of a person to the competition, or invitation to undertake any element of the selection process, or a successful result letter, is not to be taken as implying that the Probation Service is satisfied that such a person fulfils the essential requirements.
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