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Industry Profile -- by Mark Sproxton
Seems everywhere we go these days, someone is there ensuring rules
are being followed and general order is maintained. Go to the
airport, people are there checking to ensure no illegal substances
are being carried. Look on the city streets and there are law
enforcement officers upholding municipal, provincial and federal
statutes. And out in the bush, wildlife enforcement officers ensure
people don't hunt or fish illegally.
Needless to say, there are, and will continue to be, many job
opportunities. But the competition for those positions is stiff. And
as the majority of these positions are funded from public tax
dollars, the number of jobs available will always be at the control
of the political forces of the day. Regardless, there will always be
more opportunities for police officers, whereas those in
bylaw or wildlife operate with far fewer officers, and thus, fewer
opportunities.
Some qualifications remain the same regardless of the number of job
openings. For instance, all will require a minimum of a high school
diploma. Most law enforcement agencies prefer post-secondary
schooling, however. That's not to say those without a diploma or
degree will be automatically overlooked.
For an insider's look at the variety of opportunities in law enforcement
available check out the Feature on Rod Fyten and his work as a
fish and wildlife conservation officer in Calgary,
or the Feature on Jim Golbourn a city
bylaw officer. This month's Career Mirror looks at
a day-in the-life of
parole officer Rob Christensen while the Double
Take features Alberta's lone
sheriff, Dwayne Weatherall. And no, he does not
ride a horse to work. For an insider's look at national security work
with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service read what former
intelligence officer Emill Spilchak has to say.
December's Hot Tip offers up the goods on the importance of
volunteer opportunities within the police services or the community
at large, while the Jump Start reveals the details on how to set up a
ride-along with the Calgary Police Service.
Here's a brief summary of some of the jobs available in this industry:
Correctional officers work in penitentiaries
ensuring order is maintained. A minimum of a high school diploma is
required, but post-secondary training will likely prove more
beneficial to applicants.
- Pay will range from $28,000 to $60,000 or more a year.
- Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Parole officers work with prisoners in correctional
centres and those who have been released on parole by monitoring
their activities, investigating their activities and planning
developmental programs. A two-year post-secondary diploma or a
post-secondary degree will be required.
- Pay will range from $31,000 to $61,000 or more a year.
- Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Intelligence officers conduct investigations,
research and analyse information, and write reports on national
security-related matters. A minimum of a university degree is
required and applicants go through a battery of tests.
- Pay will range from $38,670 to $62,240 or more a year.
- Occupational growth depends on federal government priorities.
Bylaw enforcement officers enforce municipal
bylaws, and in some cases provincial statues. Education requirements
will vary but a related post-secondary diploma may help.
- Pay will range from $20,000 to $79,000 or more a year.
- Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Conservation officers enforce laws and regulations
related to fishing, hunting, trapping and the use of water resources
and some recreation and protected areas. A related post-secondary
diploma is required.
- Pay will range from $36,000 to $60,000 or more a year.
- Below average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Police officers complete a wide range of duties
from arresting the bad guys to controlling traffic to conducting
public education. Education requirements vary but a high school
diploma is the minimum.
- Pay will range from $31,000 to $69,000 or more a year.
- Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Customs inspectors examine people, goods and
accompanying paperwork at entry points into and out of the country. A
minimum of a high school diploma is required.
- Pay will reach up to $60,000 or more a year.
- Average occupational growth is expected to 2006.
Here are some related careers previously featured by nextSteps:
Probation officers
Lawyer
Security guard
Private investigator
Bill collector
Military careers.
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