Community Support Worker

Ember Korowai Takitini; Auckland; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional leave

Health & wellbeing programme

Training opportunities

Career progression

Job summary

Ember Korowai Takitini is seeking a motivated Community Support Worker to assist whānau and tamariki across central Auckland, primarily within the Awhi Ora and Family & Whānau programmes.

You will work with health professionals to provide practical and emotional support, develop wellbeing plans, and help people live well in their communities, with strong values-driven teamwork.

Qualifications

• A NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4 or equivalent.
• Full NZ driver's license.
• Valid/work visa, residency, or NZ citizenship.
• Experience in mental health/addictions with a client-centered approach.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of Māori health approaches preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with local GP clinics.
• Provide short-term interventions to improve quality of life.
• Learn and network with other services and agencies.
• Co-facilitate Kids and Youth Groups.
• Mentor rangatahi/youth one-on-one to support goals.
• Support individuals with a mental health diagnosis to live and participate in the community.
• Provide practical and emotional support using recovery-focused approaches.
• Support daily living activities and wellbeing planning.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with individuals, whānau, and other service providers.
• Collaborate with clinical teams and community agencies to ensure wraparound service.

Skills

Effective communication

Person-centred approach

Whanau support

Education

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4)

Job description

Community Support Worker - Awhi Ora + Family & Whanau

• Permanent, Full-time (40 hours per week)

• General working hours 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday(some evening hours required, and thepossibility for weekend work)

• Service is based from Penrose,covering the central Auckland catchment area

• Ember Support Worker Pay Rates: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour (depending on qualification held and its equivalence to the NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing L4, with stepped increases based on tenure)

Ember Korowai Takitini | Nga Matapono

Ember Korowai Takitini blends professional expertise and lived experience to offer a range of services and supports for anyone with mental health, addiction, or intellectual disability needs.

At Ember we support people to live the lives they choose, and we challenge the systems that hold them back.

We desire a society that better understands and responds to mental distress, addiction, and intellectual disability.

Ember offers:

• Additional leave, including recreation days and study leave

• A comprehensive Health & Wellbeing programme, including health checks, flu vaccinations, and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and more

• Training opportunities for upskilling, personal & professional development, and career progression.

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day in a values-led organisation

The Service | Ko Te Whare O Tai Oranga (CSS Central)

Tai Oranga (Community Support Services Central) worksalongsidepeople experiencing mental health challenges to help them live well in their communities. We support people across Central Auckland, Waiheke Island, and West Auckland, partneringwith tāngata whai ora, their whānau, and local health providers to build confidence, independence, and connection. Wepromote self-management and self-reliance for all, in areas such as accommodation, transport, employment, self-care, personal and interpersonal skills, enablingpeople to live independently in their community ofchoice.

Our Registered Health Professionalsand Support Workers bring strong clinical and interpersonal skills, including assessment, planning, communication, and knowledge of mental health and medication.We use the Strengths Model as the foundation of our mahi — we recognisepotential, build on what’s working, and celebrate progress every step of the way.

Role | Nga mahi

We are seeking an energetic and vibrant Community Support Worker who is passionate about working with a wide range of whai ora, including supporting whānau, parents and youth. Ideally you would have the experience required to work mainly within our Family and Whanau and Awhi Ora contracts.

This role involves two core responsibilities:

• working with parents who are struggling with their mental health, and with children of parents who have a mental health diagnosis

• working closely with GP clinics in collaboration with Health Improvement Practitioners, Health Coaches, General Practitioners and nurses to provide short term interventions to support people in the community with challenging situations

In this role, you will:

• Work collaboratively with local GP clinics

• Support people with short term interventions to improve their quality of life, supporting them to achieve their goals

• Learn and network with other services and agencies that provide services in the community

• Serve as co-facilitator for our Kids and Youth Groups

• Mentor rangatahi/youth one-on-one to support them to achieve their goals

• Support individuals with a mental health diagnosis to live, engage, and thrive in the community of their choice

• Provide practical and emotional support using recovery-focused and strengths-based approaches

• Support daily living activities, wellbeing planning, and community participation

• Build strong, respectful relationships with individuals, whānau, and other service providers

• Work collaboratively with clinical teams and community agencies to ensure a wraparound service for those we support

You will have | Nga Pukenga

• A New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4), or equivalent

• A current Full New Zealand Driver’s license (required)

• A valid/current work visa, residency, or NZ citizenship (required)

• Experience working in the area of mental health and/or addictions with a client-centered, recovery-focused approach

• A passionand the experience requiredfor working with whanau, specifically youth and parents

• Effective communication skillsand a person-centred approach

• Knowledge of mental health rehabilitation and recovery approaches; experience working with co-occurring addictions, dual-diagnoses, and/or cognitive difficulties; and knowledge of Māori health approaches (strongly preferred)

• A passion for walking along side those in need, supporting on-going goals on the pathway to recovery (required)

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? Maku e ki atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata”

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Ember is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all. We particularly welcome applications from our Māori, Pacific and Rainbow communities.

We will interview candidates as applications come through rather than waiting until the advertisement closes. The vacancy may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.