Successful Community Corrections Officers (CCOs) usually bring a range of experience and skills to the position and demonstrate these key characteristics:

• Ethical, honest and accountable for their actions
• Great listeners who are non-judgmental
• Effective problem solvers
• Excellent negotiators who are able to handle pressure
• Effective communicators who can see issues from the perspective of people from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds.

They also have:

• Good written communication skills, as report writing is an essential component of the job
• Excellent time management skills, to manage the demands of a busy caseload
• Strong people skills
• The ability to interact and develop professional rapport with offenders, stakeholders and colleagues.

Many of our staff have varied work histories and life experiences which they have been able to use to build their careers in Corrections Victoria. Some come from a social work or criminal justice background, while others are former teachers, customer service or administration professionals seeking a career change.

Read about some of their experiences.

While no formal qualifications are required, a degree in an appropriate discipline such as Social Work or Criminal Justice entitles you to a higher starting salary.