Become a correctional officer

Overview

Correctional officers work with inmates in Ontario correctional centres, detention centres and jails. They ensure the security and custody of inmates and make sure inmates have what they need for a successful rehabilitation.

You can only apply to advertised positions posted online at the Ontario Public Service careers site. We do not accept applications made directly to the Correctional Services Recruitment Unit. The starting salary for a correctional officer is $32.15 per hour.

• include all mandatory documents in your application. We will not consider incomplete applications
• meet the basic requirements
• pass the fitness test for Ontario correctional officers (FITCO)
• have your original documents such as a secondary school graduation diploma or transcripts, or equivalency certificate, as proof of your education

For more information on these components, please scroll below.

It can take up to six months to complete all stages of the recruitment process. We will only contact you to proceed to the next stage if you are successful in each stage of the process.

Your application will be reviewed and considered for an offer of employment should you successfully complete all components of the recruitment process and meet the minimum qualifications for the position. This decisions-making process can take up to 12 months from the time you complete the recruitment process and is based on your standing in the competition relative to other candidates.

How to apply

You must apply to the job posting online at the Ontario Public Service careers site.

We frequently post open job opportunities so check back regularly to see when jobs are available. Please follow the instructions on the job ad in order for your application to be considered.

You need to complete several stages in sequence before we consider your application for the training program. Successful completion of the training program is the final stage of the recruitment process.

Previous correctional officers

If you were previously a correctional officer at a provincial adult correctional facility in Ontario and would like to return, contact the Correctional Services Recruitment Unit for further information.

The process for re-hiring former correctional officers who worked in an Ontario provincial institution will vary depending on the time that has passed since you left your position.

If you are currently employed as a correctional officer in another province or country, you cannot transfer to a position in Ontario. You must apply through the standard application process.

Living outside of Canada

If you are a Canadian citizen living outside of Canada, you can still apply. However, the recruiting process is conducted in Ontario only.

If you wish to apply to become a correctional officer, you will have to travel to Ontario at your own expense to participate in the selection processes.

If you are successful and receive an offer of employment, you must pay your own moving and relocation expenses.

Basic requirements

You must meet the following pre-requirements to apply:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Possess oral French skills at the advanced-minus level (for bilingual positions).
• Be currently certified and/or able to be certified by first day of employment in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary recusitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED).
• Must have original proof of Grade 12 completion or an equivalency (e.g. general equivalency diploma/certificate).
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, including days, afternoons and nights, and on weekends and statutory holidays.

Eligibility

To be considered for the correctional officer position, you must successfully complete the following during the recruitment process:

• Ministry administered aptitude, cognitive and psychological tests.
• Candidates who are selected to participate in the correctional officer recruitment process will be required to successfully complete FITCO testing prior to a conditional offer of employment being made.
• Correctional officer pre-employment medical exam.
• Corrections Foundational Training for Correctional Officers (CFT-CO). A training stipend will be offered to candidates who are selected.
• Oral French language test at the advanced-minus level (for bilingual correctional officer positions only).
• Correctional officer employment security process.

If you are a successful candidate, you must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in Canada upon reporting to work on your first day.

French speaking requirements

For some jobs, correctional officers must be able to perform their duties in English and French.

We list these positions as “designated French Language Services (FLS) position” and require advanced level oral skills in French.

We evaluate potential bilingual candidates according to the Ontario government standards for French language proficiency levels.

Education requirements

To be considered for a correctional officer position you require a minimum of either:

• an Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma
• completion of a provincially/territorially approved secondary school equivalency test

You do not have to take additional corrections or law related courses for the correctional officer position. Additional courses are not factors in the recruitment process. However, these courses may help you complete the training program.

We accept at least one of the following original documents as proof of Grade 12 or equivalent education levels:

• secondary school graduation diploma
• secondary school transcripts that show the required number of courses successfully completed to attain a Grade 12 education (27 credits up to 1983/84, 30 credits after that time)
• college diploma from a recognized North American college (minimum two-year diploma program)
• university degree from a recognized North American university
• Grade 12 equivalency certificate (for example, Public Service Commission - General Intelligence Test (GIT) Grade 12, Grade 12 equivalency certification from Independent Learning Centre (GED), etc.)

You must provide at least one of these original documents as proof of secondary school graduation diplomas or equivalency at your initial testing sessions. You can provide more than one if you have them

If you do not have your original Ontario high school diploma or certificate, you can get a replacement from the Ontario Ministry of Education.

School outside of Canada

If you went to school outside of Canada, you must have your certificates or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. This will help you provide proof of Canadian equivalency when applying for a job in the public service.

The public service will accept any foreign educational credentials if they are deemed comparable to Canadian standards, through a recognized credential assessment service.

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) helps people who want to get an assessment of their educational, professional and occupational credentials by referring them to the appropriate organizations.

You can find Canadian organizations that provide equivalency assessments by contacting the CICIC at:

Website: www.cicic.ca

95 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1106
Toronto, ON, M4V 1N6
Tel: 416-962-9725
Fax: 416-962-2800
E-mail: info@cicic.ca

Written tests

If you meet the basic requirements of the position and apply, we will invite you to complete a series of written tests. These tests will help us decide if you meet the aptitude, cognitive and behavioural requirements of the position.

If you successfully complete the testing, you will be invited to attend an interview to further discuss your qualifications and experience. Learn more about interviewing for the Ontario Public Service.

Fitness test

You must successfully complete the Fitness Test for Ontario Correctional Officer Applicants (FITCO) to make sure you can meet the physical demands of the job. We developed this test based on the requirements of the position.

As part of the FITCO, you must first pass a screening component to make sure you are medically fit to participate in the test.

Passing the FITCO is mandatory. You will need to pass the FITCO as part of the application process, and again as part of the training program at the Ontario Correctional Services College.

The FITCO has several performance components that simulate different requirements of the correctional officer role:

1. Search station – this tests your ability to perform an effective search of a cell.
2. Emergency response circuit – this tests your ability to respond to emergencies.
3. Aerobic shuttle run – this tests your capacity to perform the physically demanding tasks of the correctional officer job.

Prepare for the FITCO

The FITCO booklet includes the protocols, standards and suggested training programs to prepare.

If you follow the guidelines in the booklet, you will improve your muscular strength, endurance and aerobic fitness. This will put you in a better position to pass the FITCO.

If you are unfamiliar with flexibility, aerobic or resistance training, consider consulting a certified personal trainer or knowledgeable fitness professional to help you.

Correctional officer work can be physically demanding. It is important to maintain an adequate level of fitness throughout your correctional career.

Booking your FITCO

You must book a FITCO testing session directly with one of the colleges listed below.

There is a minimum $79 fee per test which you pay directly to the college.

You must have the required FITCO paperwork at your testing session. You must properly fill out the paperwork and have a witness sign the document. If your paperwork is not filled out or incomplete, the appraiser will not be able to test you. You are not required to bring the paperwork to a practice session. The paperwork includes:

• OFT-01 Participant Information
• OFT-02 PAR Q+ – Please read this form in its entirety and follow the instructions when filling it out.
• OFT-04 Participant Informed Consent and Release
• OFT-05 Participant Performance Declaration
• OFT-09 Physicians Clearance (if applicable)

If you are 45 years of age or older, you will also need the OFT-09 Physicians Clearance document and all other paperwork listed.

If you are under 45 years of age you do not need the OFT-09 Physicians Clearance document unless you have underlying medical issues or answer “yes” to the questions on the PAR Q. Please follow the instructions in the PAR Q+.

Send your questions about FITCO to FITCO@ontario.ca.

Book a practice and familiarization session

Practice and familiarization sessions are offered free of charge at the Correctional Centre for Professional Advancement & Training, in Hamilton. All other locations in the table below charge a fee to attend practice sessions.

For dates and times, contact Fitco@ontario.ca

You must register in advance for these sessions by contacting the locations below.

Participating colleges may also provide practice, familiarization and training sessions. Check with the continuing education website of your preferred college.

After the test

You will receive a certificate if you successfully complete the FITCO test. You may use this certificate to apply for correctional officer positions within one year of the issue date.

You will be required to successful complete the FITCO testing again in order to graduate from the training program.

Employment security screening

Before we consider you for a correctional officer position you must receive security screening clearance. You must provide documents to support your qualifications and to begin your security screening process. You will be asked to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening Check from your local police. At this stage of the process, you will be provided a letter which permits your local police to issue the check.

You are responsible for the cost of the enhanced security clearance. This may vary by jurisdiction but is generally less than $75 in total.

Living outside of Canada

If you lived outside of Canada or have not been a resident of Canada for at least five years, you must provide a security clearance letter from the police or municipal office from your former country of residence.

This letter must show that you:

• do not have a criminal record
• do not have ties to organized crime
• are not a security threat to Canada

Conditional offer of employment

If you are successful in the recruitment process, you will be considered for a correctional officer position at work locations that you applied for on your application. The most qualified applicants will receive a conditional offer for fixed-term employment.

The offer will be conditional upon your pre-employment medical exam and your training program.

Pre-employment medical exam

The pre-employment medical exam will include hearing and vision tests that confirms your ability to perform the tasks of the correctional officer position,. You are responsible for:

• booking your own medical appointments
• any costs associated with obtaining pre-employment medical clearance and any related tests

Training program

You must complete an eight-week training and assessment program in order to receive a letter of appointment from an institution. The training program is administered by the Correctional Services Recruitment and Training Centre. compensation is now provided to recruits during the training period in the form of a stipend.

Contact a recruiter

Contact the Correctional Services Recruitment Unit if you:

• need this information in a different format
• have additional questions
• need more information about the recruitment process

Email: CSRU@ontario.ca

Toll-free: 1-855-927-2778