Are you motivated to make a difference in the lives of others? If so, consider this opportunity to contribute to meaningful rehabilitation work within a secure correctional environment in Thunder Bay.
Join a dedicated team, where you will provide specialized social work services to inmates, including those with complex, long-term, or special needs. In this vital role, you will apply your clinical expertise and trauma-informed approach to support individuals in navigating change, building resilience, and working toward positive outcomes.
This is an opportunity to be part of a collaborative and evolving environment focused on evidence-based practice, inclusive approaches, and strengthening rehabilitation outcomes for individuals in custody. Your work will play a key role in supporting safer communities and meaningful reintegration.
These positions will support all three locations of the new campus model institution which comprises of three sites located at:
2351 Highway 61 South
285 MacDougall Street
2495 Highway 61 South
The number of positions to be filled has not been identified at this time. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming opportunities within the next 21 months following the closing date of the job ad posting.
Successful candidates will be headquartered at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre New Build site (2495 Highway 61 South) and may be assigned to work at any of the three locations within the Thunder Bay campus.
Candidates may be hired in advance of the planned opening in 2027 to support training and ensure effective operations upon opening.
Explore Exciting Career Opportunities in Corrections
Join us for a Career Fair for the New Thunder Bay Correctional Centre
This event offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the rewarding career paths in Corrections and to meet our dedicated team.
To learn about other career opportunities available, please visit our career fair landing page:Thunder Bay Correctional Centre Opportunities Link
Event Details
Date: Wednesday June 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Location: Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd. Thunder Bay, ON
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Thunder Bay Correctional Centre Career Fair Registration Link
- Please bring a valid photo ID and Eventbrite confirmation code (electronic or print out)
- You may still attend and register on site that day
- Parking will be paid by Correctional Services (Parking code to be provided upon entry)
In this role, you will:
- Complete bio-psycho-social, suicide, mental health, risk/needs and clinical assessments and reports for the purposes of crisis intervention, counselling, classification, rehabilitative programs, reintegration planning and parole proceedings
- Conduct individual and/or group counselling and case work sessions
- Provide individual and/or group rehabilitative programming
- Plan, develop and deliver rehabilitative treatment programs and intervention strategies to address the social, emotional, criminogenic and/or psychological needs of offenders
- Explore community resources and facilitate referrals for offenders re-entering into the community
- You are currently registered as a Social Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
- You have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW).
- You have knowledge of and practical experience in the theories, principles and practices of social work, normally acquired through a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and/or Master of Social Work (MSW)
- You have knowledge of risk assessment tools and rehabilitative treatment placement options to provide recommendation on offender classification placement
- You can develop rehabilitative program and treatment plans for offenders using bio-psycho-social rehabilitative treatment theories, principles and techniques
- You have knowledge of: trauma informed culturally responsive approaches, sexual abuse, addiction recovery, and gender responsive individual, group, and family practices
- You have knowledge of community support services to assist offenders in formulating reintegration plans
- You have knowledge of relevant legislation (i.e. Social Work and Social Service Work Act, Health Information Protection Act, privacy acts, etc.) and can comply with regulatory requirements
- You can liaise with clients, correctional staff, and community support services
- You are able to connect and build rapport with a diverse client population with varied cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds as well as provide individual counselling, evaluation, and assessment services to offenders with complex needs
- You have experience working within a multi-disciplinary setting including community agencies
- You have proven tact, discretion and sensitivity to discuss problems/options with offenders and maintain confidentiality
- You have advanced written communication skills to prepare case notes, assessments, progress and statistical reports
- You can gather and compile data from multiple sources to identify offender needs
- You can develop or modify rehabilitative, treatment and case management plans
- You can make recommendations on appropriate classification of offenders
- You can assess offenders in crisis and apply appropriate therapeutic intervention
- You can evaluate program and treatment effectiveness
- You have planning and organizational skills to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and contribute effectively as part of the multi-disciplinary team
- You are proficient with computer software and database systems to input and retrieve inmate data, prepare reports, and maintain case documentation and statistics
Successful applicants to this job posting may qualify for financial compensation under the Northern Attraction Incentive Program (NAIP). NAIP is a pilot recruitment program which offers financial incentives to new hires in specific positions in designated institutions and probation and parole offices in Northern Ontario, including external candidates to the Ontario Public Service and qualifying existing employees who agree to work for a term of three years.
All applicants will be provided with more information on the program, once the job advertisement closes. If you would like more information prior to applying, you may contact
[email protected]
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
- diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
- accessibility
- Anti-Racism Policy
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.
We offer:
- a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
- flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
- many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
- tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package includes:
- a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
- group health, dental, life and disability benefits
- a range of vacation and leave options
- an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services
