Catering & Laundry Instructor - Invercargill

Department of Corrections NZ; Invercargill City; On-site; NZD 73,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Corrections NZ in Invercargill invites applications for a Catering & Laundry Instructor. You will supervise and train inmates in a commercial kitchen, delivering meals for general and corporate catering, while guiding learners toward NZQA qualifications and industry-ready habits.

The role includes laundry operations support within Internal Services, with training at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hutt for custodial elements.

Qualifications

• Experience and passion in the catering industry at a professional level.
• NZ Certificate in Cookery Level 4 or equivalent trade qualification.
• Outstanding health and safety practices.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Full NZ driver licence or eligible to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision and practical training in a commercial kitchen.
• Support laundry operations as part of Internal Services.
• Deliver general meal preparation and corporate catering.
• Complete initial training courses alongside Corrections Officers on-site.

Skills

Catering industry experience

Health and safety practices

Communication skills

Motivate and develop people

Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding

NZ driver's licence

Education

NZ Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) or equivalent

Adult education/NZQA assessor (advantage)

Job description

Catering & Laundry Instructor - Invercargill

Department of Corrections NZ – Invercargill, South Island

Catering & Laundry Instructor - Invercargill

• Full-time, permanent opportunity in Invercargill
• Help people in prison build confidence and skills for future employment
• Help create safer communities by supporting reintegration through work

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Are you looking for a challenging position within an environment that will stretch your skills, offer you opportunities for development and growth, and provide personal satisfaction?

Prison Industries provide people in prison with meaningful engagement and equip them with valuable work experience and skills for the future. They are an important part of working towards reintegration and can increase chances of obtaining successful employment on release. Industries are also critical in providing essential services for the operation of the prison.

As a Catering & Laundry Instructor at Invercargill Prison, you will be providing direct supervision and practical training within a commercial kitchen setting. From general meal preparation and delivery to corporate catering, you will enable our people to achieve NZQA qualifications and provide a platform of good working habits for them to take forward to the future. The role also provides support to the laundry operation as part of the wider Internal Services team.

Instructors have the same classification as Corrections Officers and, as such, complete the same initial training courses. This will involve on-site training as well as residential training at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hutt, Wellington, to focus on the custodial elements of the position.

(The hours of work will be on a standard shift basis of 80 hours per fortnight, Monday to Sunday, 0600hrs - 1600hrs. Working public holidays, along with the possibility of some overtime or callouts, may be required)

Mōu | About you

This is a role with unique challenges and rewards. Our Industries Team supports men in prison to build work habits and skills that increase their chances of finding sustainable, legitimate mahi upon release—reducing reoffending and making our communities safer. To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Experience and a proven passion in the catering industry at a professional level.
• New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) or equivalent trade qualifications.
• Outstanding health & safety practices.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to develop effective relationships.
• The ability to motivate and develop people within a team environment.
• The ability to operate in a culturally diverse setting and understands Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• A full NZ driver licence (or is eligible to obtain one).
• Experience as an adult educator or NZAQ assessor (4098) is an advantage but not essential.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The starting salary for this role will be $72, 514 - $80, 876 per annum.Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role. Once in the role, there are opportunities to increase your salary over time up to $90, 322.

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Applications close on: Tuesday 29th September, 2026