Recruiting officers are here to help you

Each correctional centre has a dedicated recruiting officer ready to assist you with the application process and answer your questions. As experienced officers who've worked in a variety of posts, they offer valuable insight into the correctional officer role. They are also actively involved in screening applications, tests and interviews.

Additional Questions and Answers

Will I earn vacation and benefits?
Yes. All new officers are offered regular status employment as an employee of the BC Public Service with full health and dental benefits, vacation, pension, life insurance and access to numerous employee programs and services. In many cases, our correctional centres offer part-time positions to start out in where you will be guaranteed 35 hours of work bi-weekly. In a full-time position you'll work 70 hours bi-weekly.

What are the hours of work?
A correctional centre must be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The majority of our staffing complement works during the day and afternoon periods with a reduction to minimal staffing at night. Most officers will start off as part-time callboard employees replacing staff absences.

In time, you may be assigned to a post with a regular shift pattern such as four days on, four days off; four days on, two days off; or Monday to Friday. Shift lengths range from seven to 16 hours.

Because the needs of every centre vary, it's important to clarify with your recruiting officer the details of the position you are being offered and how it meets your employment requirements.

How much does a correctional officer earn?
Correctional officers progress through the levels and steps of the correctional officer growth series from training to the full working level upon successfully completing the associated training, the required number of hours, and a satisfactory performance appraisal. New hires begin earning an hourly training wage of $19.99 and progress throughout their career to the maximum hourly salary of $30.18. It takes about 5.5 years of full-time work to reach the maximum salary level.

What is a Part-Time Regular or PTR?
Many correctional centres hire new correctional officers into a part-time position. Part-time regular (PTR) correctional officers have half-time regular status (i.e., 35 hours bi-weekly), with corresponding pay and benefits in accordance with the Master and Component Agreements.  At times, you may work more than 35 hours being called in as the centre requires. Pay and benefits are pro-rated for additional straight time hours worked. Remember, that since corrections is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week work environment this will involve being called in day or night to fill shifts for staff who call in sick, or on annual leave or in emergency situations.