Youth Probation Officer

Be the one changing young lives and keeping communities safe.

Career Overview

Youth probation officers supervise and assist young people in conflict with the law.  They provide valuable information to the court to help make decisions that balance the best interests of the young person and protection of society.  

Youth probation officers protect society by providing youth with the appropriate supervision and support in the community.   They work collaboratively with parents, caregivers and other professionals (e.g. social workers, teachers) to address the needs of the young person and reduce the risk of re-offending.  This is accomplished by using resources and programs that offer rehabilitative and pro-social development opportunities for young people.

A youth probation officer has a job that varies from day to day, this could include: attending court; participating in meetings at schools, foster homes, programs or custody centres; conducting home visits; meeting with youth in the probation office; and conducting investigative interviews and writing reports for the court.

Career Prospects

The Ministry of Children and Family Development employs youth probation officers in BC. The salary range for youth probation officers is $30 to $35 an hour.

After an individual has been hired into a permanent youth probation officer position, they begin the youth probation officer training certificate program. This training involves successful completion of all required online courses, including assignments, quizzes and practical evaluations.

The new hire will also have to meet the Ministry's performance criteria required for appointment to the position, which is evaluated over the first six months of employment.

Job opportunities are posted on the BC Public Service website.

For information about youth justice, visit the BC Youth Justice webpage.

Personal Qualifications

• Conceptual thinking
• Decisive insight
• Flexibility
• Integrity
• Results orientation
• Listening, understanding and responding
• Service orientation
• Teamwork and cooperation
• For specific definitions of these competencies, visit the BC Public Service webpage.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a related discipline (e.g. social work, criminology, psychology), however other degrees may be considered.
• Experience in a justice, educational, or social justice service setting that involves supervision, counselling or conflict resolution.
• Valid BC driver’s license.
• Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service (criminal records check and/or enhanced security screening). Note: It is important that you read the job posting carefully to understand the specific security screening requirements pertaining to the position.