Communicator - Trainee

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 64,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite parking

Shift incentives (15% after 6pm)

Permanent, full-time role

Job summary

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It operates a 24/7 call centre handling urgent and non-urgent inquiries to help keep the public safe.

As a Communicator, you will be trained to de-escalate calls, determine the appropriate response, and support a diverse team across Kapiti and wider New Zealand. Training lasts 15 weeks with pay progression and shift incentives.

Qualifications

• Good level of computer skills and ability to complete psychometric testing.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and show empathy.
• Willingness to work a 6-on, 4-off roster across 24/7 hours.

Responsibilities

• Handle a wide variety of calls including burglaries, scams, vandalism and distress.
• Alleviate caller panic and identify appropriate police response.
• Work as part of a supportive and diverse team.
• Learn and navigate IT systems and processes quickly.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

English proficiency

Stress resilience

Job description

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes.We're working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver `Our Business' and achieve long-term change.105 Non-Emergency Communicators, the first line of New Zealand Police - better work stories.Based in Paraparaumu, Kapiti CoastTraining salary: $64,161 increasing to $72,112 after training (15 weeks, 3 days), along with attractive shift work incentivesPermanent, full time shift work across 24/7 operating hoursYou will need to have a good level of computer skills and experience and will be required to complete an online psychometric testIntakes commence from 13 January 2027; multiple positions availableJR 6047398E tuki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e nga ngaru o te wa.Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your faceMo te tunga | About the roleOur busy call centre is the front line of our response to members of the public. You will receive a wide variety of calls regarding burglaries, scams, vandalism, people in distress and more, with no two days being the same.While this role is meaningful and rewarding, it is also demanding. You will be fully trained to alleviate a caller's panic and stress, accurately identify the needs of your caller and ensure the appropriate Police response.You will be part of a highly supportive and diverse team. NZ Police are committed to the development and growth of our people, with pathways to progress within the team and into many other roles in Police. Experience as a Police Communicator helps build a strong foundation for those aspiring to become a Police Officer.This role is full time and you will be rostered on a six day on, four day off system with a pattern of two mornings, two day shifts, and two lates / night shifts followed by four days off. This roster covers 24 hours a day, 365 days including public holidays and weekends. Additional 15% compensation is paid for hours worked after 6pm and before 6am. The Kapiti location also has free onsite parking.Communicators need to:Communicate effectively by listening, showing appropriate empathy, and adapting your communication style to the situationHandle stressful and emotionally difficult situations with composure and a sensitive approachListen to what people need, analyse information, act and achieve results through appropriate decision making and persistenceUse a of variety software and equipment quickly to accurately complete tasks under time pressureLearn quickly and develop their capability whilst embracing feedbackTo hear more about the role from some of our communicators, please check out the video below: https://youtu.be/N8Jy9gTCrnMHe aha taau e kawe mai | What you'll bringWhilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.Great Communicators come from many different backgrounds including customer service roles such as hospitality and retail. What they have in common is:A passion and empathy for helping others in needResilience and professionalism in the face of adversityOutstanding communication skills, including excellent written and spoken EnglishAn aptitude to think on your feet and use your questioning and listening skills to make sound decisions under pressureThe ability to follow highly-structured processes and procedures, while navigating several IT systems at once as well as typing quickly and accurately - all while talking to the callerAn understanding that our continuous shift work can conflict with family and social eventsThis role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirementsTo view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser: https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/01-2026/communicator.pdfMo tatou | About usNew Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government's largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.The work you'll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:Applicant Information Pack (External)Tono inaianei | Apply nowIf this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careersIf you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process.This advert is set to close at 5:00pm, Friday 6th November 2026. Please note that this advertisement may be taken down if we receive a high amount of applications so we can review these in a timely manner.All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.If you have any queries about this vacancy, please email [e-mail]