Probation Officer (Dublin, Galway and the Midlands) in Ireland

About 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. The Probation Service protects the public and create safer communities by helping offenders to desist from committing more crime. The Probation Service have a strong record of reducing re-offending, managing offenders safely in the community, reintegrating prisoners after release and of providing an effective, efficient and value for money service. The Probation Service have many success stories of offenders whom we have helped reintegrate into society, as well as statistics that show what the Probation Service do works.

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.

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.

Requirements

Candidates must, on or before Thursday 2nd September 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 relevant experience in and capacity to demonstrate the following: Interviewing skills, Report writing and assessment skills, Case management skills, including ability to meet deadlines, Ability to work as part of a team

and

3. Have knowledge of: The Criminal Justice system, 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

Details

Location of Posts: All candidates will be considered to have applied for a Dublin, Galway and the Midlands panel. 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).

Closing date: 2 Sept 2026 4:00 PM

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. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5pm, Thursday 2nd September 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 probationservice@cpl.ie. 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.