Casual Residential Worker - Te Puna Wai

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Rangiora; On-site; NZD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid induction

Career development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is seeking a Casual Residential Youth Worker for Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence in Christchurch. You will support 13-17 year-olds who are awaiting court proceedings or serving a sentence in a safe, nurturing environment.

As part of a 24/7 casual roster, you’ll mentor, coach, and model positive behaviours, promote wellbeing, and help rangatahi build skills and confidence for their future.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting young people and building respectful relationships.
• Able to be physically active and engage safely with tamariki.
• Pass Police vetting and a Vulnerable Children's Act check.
• Commit to a three-week, full-time paid induction (Mon-Fri, 40 hours/week).

Responsibilities

• Support rangatahi to thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.
• Mentor, coach and be a positive role model for tamariki.
• Guide them through daily routines and build skills for the future.
• Contribute to a 24/7 roster and collaborative team approach.

Skills

Youth work

Coaching

Mentoring

Tutoring

Community support

Healthcare

Psychology

Education

Sports

Music

Arts

Job description

• Casual Residential Youth Worker
• Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence - Christchurch

Make a real difference in the lives of our rangatahi!

Are you passionate about supporting young people to thrive? Join our team at Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence as a Casual Residential Youth Worker and be part of a kaupapa that truly matters.

Our residence provides care and support for 13-17-year-olds who are either awaiting court proceedings or serving a sentence. While they are not free to leave, this is not a prison. We focus on creating a safe, secure, and nurturing environment where rangatahi can build skills, confidence, and hope for the future. As a Youth Worker, you'll play a vital role in keeping our tamariki safe, while also being a mentor, coach, and positive role model. You'll help guide them through daily routines, build trust, and support their personal growth.

At our Te Puna Wai residence, we have a school, sports field, visitors' suite, gym, and whare on site. We also have a small farm (complete with friendly farm animals from pigs, alpacas, goats, sheep, and a pony!) that offers our tamariki valuable life skills and experience.

Our Youth Workers use these facilities to help enrich the lives of our tamariki and set them up with the skills they will need to meaningfully contribute to their whānau and community.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

We welcome people from all walks of life. You might have experience in:

• Youth work, coaching, mentoring, tutoring, or community support
• Healthcare, psychology, education, sports, music, or the arts

What matters most is your ability to:

• Listen without judgment and build respectful relationships
• Be physically active and engage safely with tamariki
• Be reliable, consistent, and present at work free from the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Pass Police vetting and a Vulnerable Children's Act check
• Commit to a three-week, full-time paid induction (Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week).

As a casual staff member, you'll cover shifts across a 24/7 roster, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

• 26.00 per hour + 8% holiday pay
• Paid induction and ongoing training
• Opportunities for career development - many of our leaders started as Youth Workers!
• A supportive team environment where your mahi makes a real impact

Oranga Tamariki is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the role requirements. Please take time to read our Code of Conduct - it outlines our expectations, including presenting at work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.