Case Manager - Kaituitui

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development in Wellington region is seeking Case Managers to help New Zealanders move towards sustainable employment and independence. You will work on the frontline, supporting job seekers, identifying opportunities, and connecting them with training and services to succeed.

This role is full-time and permanent, with a Monday to Friday schedule. You will manage a busy caseload, build strong relationships with clients, and collaborate with partners to deliver integrated

Qualifications

• Empathy, resilience and sound judgement in complex cases.
• Fast and accurate data entry; attention to detail.
• Confident with technology and multiple systems.
• Clear communicator; builds trust and explains processes.
• Adaptable, steady under pressure; handles high volumes.
• Team player; collaborates across teams.
• Comfortable with numbers and entitlements calculations.

Responsibilities

• Support job seekers to access income, training, or work.
• Assist whānau with housing options and follow-ups.
• Encourage digital self-service and client confidence with online tools.
• Manage a busy caseload across multiple systems; keep notes accurate.
• Refer clients to external providers and collaborate with others.
• Participate in team reflections and support each other.

Skills

Empathy & client service

Data entry accuracy

Tech proficiency

Clear communication

Policy navigation

Team collaboration

Numerical calculations

Job description

Full-time, permanent positions available - Monday to Friday

• Locations will be across the Wellington Region including Kapiti
• Start date: Late January 2027 (TBC)

This is real work that changes lives - including your own.

Case Managers play a critical role in helping New Zealanders move towards sustainable employment and greater independence.

Working at the frontline of public service, you will work with job seekers from all walks of life, helping them identify opportunities, overcome barriers to employment, and connect with the support, training, and services they need to succeed.

This is meaningful, high trust mahi. You will work alongside individuals and whānau who may be experiencing unemployment, financial hardship, housing challenges, or significant life changes. Your focus will be on empowering people to achieve positive employment outcomes while ensuring they receive the right support at the right time.

What you’ll need to succeed - Ko tō āhua

Success in this role requires a balance of empathy, resilience, and sound judgement. You will navigate complex situations, make decisions that impact lives and communities, and work to create pathways into work.

If you are passionate about helping New Zealanders realise their potential, enjoy building strong relationships, and can bring confidence and clarity to complex situations, this could be the role for you.

You’ll also need to be:

• Fast and accurate with data entry - getting the detail right matters.
• Confident with technology - navigating multiple systems and supporting clients to do the same.
• Empathetic and professional - able to hold space for real-life challenges while applying policy.
• A clear communicator - someone who can build trust, explain things simply, and make good decisions.
• Adaptable and steady - comfortable with change, high volumes, and problem-solving on the go.
• A strong team player - grounded, dependable, and collaborative.
• Comfortable with numbers and detail - able to complete complex calculations related to payments, dates, and entitlements.

A day in the life:

• Supporting someone recently out of work to access income, training, or employment.
• Helping a whānau explore housing options and coordinating follow-ups.
• Encouraging digital self-service and building client confidence with online tools.
• Managing a busy caseload across multiple systems while keeping accurate notes.
• Referring clients to external providers and working collaboratively with others.
• Meeting with your team to reflect, troubleshoot, and support each other.

What you’ll be part of:

• You’ll join a public service organisation committed to manaaki tangata, manaaki whānau - helping New Zealanders to be safe, strong, and independent.
• You’ll deliver integrated support across income, housing, and employment - helping clients navigate life transitions and connect to the right services, at the right time.
• You’ll be part of a team that upholds public trust and lives our values: working with integrity, partnering for impact, and standing up for the people we serve.

In return, we’ll give you:

• A full induction and training plan.
• Ongoing support from your peers and leaders.
• Development opportunities and career pathways.
• A role where your mahi directly contributes to stronger communities.
• A competitive salary within Band 4 ($69,159-$84,041), with the final salary determined by the successful candidate’s skills, qualifications, and relevant experience.
• Recruitment and Selection process: Shortlisted candidates will complete a short digital confidence skills test, video pre-screening, and Assessment Centre
• Applicants must hold New Zealand Citizenship, Permanent Residency or Australian Citizenship at time of application.