What does a career as a correctional officer look like?
The Whitehorse Correctional Centre is a modern adult correctional facility that opened in 2012. It primarily provides services to individuals who are remanded, sentenced or police prisoners. It has a total capacity of 151 beds and operates using a direct supervision model.
A correctional officer works:
- under the direction of the manager of Correctional Services; and
- as part of a team.
The Whitehorse Correctional Centre team carries out operational and program activities to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals in custody. A correctional officer works various shifts. They're responsible for maintaining security, safety and good order of the institution while modelling safe, ethical, legal and fair behaviours. These behaviours must be carried out inline with the values of dignity, respect, and guided by the principle of least restrictive measures.
This position is classified as a peace officer under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Before you apply
If you’re screened into the program there can be a very quick turn-around between the application and start dates. If you’re a successful applicant for this training program, you’ll need to:
- provide security clearance, including vulnerable sector check;
- provide medical clearance for the corrections officer physical abilities test (COPAT);
- have a valid Class 5 driver’s licence (or equivalent); and
- pass a physical abilities test (COPAT).
If you completed the COPAT (or other accepted tests) in another jurisdiction within 6 months of starting with us, we may consider your results. We may need you to be available to start the training program on short notice.
What are the essential qualifications for this position?
In order to screen into the Correctional Officer Basic Training program you have to submit your résumé. It needs to clearly demonstrate how you meet the following qualifications:
- Grade 12 or equivalent;
- experience giving direction, applying and enforcing rules and regulations;
- experience supporting, coaching, mentoring and providing feedback to individuals and/or groups; and
- post-secondary coursework and/or training in criminology, justice, corrections, social services or another related field would be an asset.
Candidates who have education and experience equivalent to the essential qualifications listed above may also be considered. Selection for an interview will be based solely on the information you provide in your résumé.
What are the job requirements?
- Rotating shift work, including weekends and statutory holidays
- Occasional travel within and outside of the Yukon
- Heavy lifting
- Wearing a uniform
How do you apply?
You’ll find all current Government of Yukon position openings on the Yukon job board. The intakes for correctional officers are typically in April and September, annually but additional intakes occur depending of operational needs.
- You have to create an e-recruitment profile and upload your résumé and cover letter. The cover letter is optional.
- Read how to prepare and edit your cover letter and résumé.
- Ensure that your résumé follows the required format for the Government of Yukon.
- Ensure that your résumé clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential qualifications of the position.
- See a sample cover letter and résumé here.
- Once you’ve completed your online profile and uploaded your résumé (and optional cover letter), you can apply directly to the job posting.
What happens when you get screened in?
If you successfully screen into the position, you’ll be invited to an interview. The interview is to assess you based on the competencies outlined in the job ad and job description.
What happens if you pass the interview?
If you successfully pass the interview stage, we’ll offer you conditional employment, and we’ll ask you to provide 2 references. 1 of the references has to be your most recent supervisor.
You’ll also be asked to:
- obtain and maintain security clearance (including vulnerable sector check);
- obtain re-employment medical clearance that includes hearing, vision, tuberculosis testing and immunization records;
- present a valid Class 5 driver’s licence (some restrictions may or may not be permitted); and
- submit successful completion of the corrections officer physical abilities test (COPAT).
What is the commitment to Correctional Officer Basic Training?
If you’re successful in the selection process, you’ll have to take the Correctional Officer Basic Training. The time commitment is:
- 4 weeks of classroom training; and,
- a minimum of 2 weeks of job shadowing, which may include day, evening, weekend and statutory holiday shifts.
After you pass training, what happens?
- We may provide you with casual employment.
- We may hire you as an auxiliary on-call correctional officer I.
- Then, you can apply on correctional officer postings.