Community Support Worker

Ember Korowai Takitini; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 53,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional leave

Health & Wellbeing programme

Training opportunities

Career progression

Job summary

Ember Korowai Takitini in Hamilton is seeking an experienced Community Support Worker to provide flexible, responsive support to adults with mental health and addiction needs. You will work across the Waikato region, walking alongside tāngata whaiora to build independence, wellbeing, and resilience, and support daily living tasks and community participation.

You will use de-escalation skills, recovery-focused approaches and trauma-informed practice to keep people safe, while collaborating with a

Qualifications

• Proven experience supporting adults with mental health and addiction challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provide flexible, responsive support to adults with mental health and addiction needs across the Hamilton region.
• Walk alongside tāngata whaiora to build independence, wellbeing and resilience, supporting daily living tasks and community participation.
• Use de‑escalation skills, recovery‑focused approaches and trauma‑informed practice to maintain safety.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team and clinical partners in a mobile, high‑pace environment.

Skills

Mental health support

Addiction support

Driving between locations

Collaborative teamwork

De-escalation skills

Education

NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4

Equivalent qualification

Job description

Community Support Worker

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

• Service operates 24 hours, 7 days a week on a rotating roster (must be able to work AM, PM and Awake shifts)

• Service hub is located in Rototuna, covering the Waikato region

• Ember Support Worker Pay Rates: $25.63 - $30.70 per hour (depending on qualification held and its equivalence to the Certificate in Health and Wellbeing L4, with stepped increases based on length of service)

• We are seeking experienced Community Support Workers with strong, proven capability in supporting adults with complex mental health and addiction needs.

The Service | Ko Te Whare O Waikato Services

Our Waikato services provide individually tailored community-based mental health and addiction support for adults with high and complex needs. We operate an integrated service that brings together Community and Peer Support Workers along with Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Counsellors, and AOD Practitioners to deliver holistic rehabilitation and support.

The service receives referrals from Te Whatu Ora’s Inpatient Coordination Team and supports people with complex mental health and addiction needs, including those experiencing higher‑risk substance‑use patterns. Our mobile team works at speed across the region, responding dynamically to changing needs and supporting tāngata whaiora in a variety of community settings.

The Role | Nga mahi

As a Community Support Worker within our fast‑paced team, you will provide flexible, responsive support to adults with both mental health and addiction support needs. Your work will take place across the Hamilton region, so our ideal candidate is a quick thinker with strong situational awareness who is confident driving between locations and adapting to rapidly changing circumstances.

You will walk alongside tāngata whaiora to help build independence, wellbeing, and resilience—supporting daily living tasks, community participation, emotional regulation, and wellbeing planning. Because many individuals experience AOD‑related risks, you will use de‑escalation skills, recovery‑focused approaches, and calm, confident decision‑making to maintain safety for everyone involved.

The focus is adult mental health and addictions, and our preferred candidate will have experience in this sector. Candidates with other backgrounds may be suitable only if they can provide clear evidence of MH&A support skills.

You will have | Nga Pukenga

• Proven experience supporting adults with mental health and addiction challenges, including confidence managing AOD‑related risks

• A New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4, or equivalent qualification (strongly preferred), or working towards

• Residency, Citizenship, or a valid/current work visa allowing you to accept permanent full-time (40 hours per week) work (required)

• A Full NZ Driver's Licence (required)

• Strong skills in recovery‑focused, strengths‑based, and trauma‑informed approaches

• The ability to work closely and collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team and with clinical partners to ensure integrated, values‑led support

• The ability to thrive in a mobile, high‑pace environment, making sound decisions on the spot while maintaining calm, respectful, person‑centred practice.

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

When applying please include | Kia Whakauru

• An up‑to‑date CV

• A Cover Letter detailing

  • Why you’re interested in the role?

  • Any skills, competencies and experience (both professional and personal, if relevant) that you would bring to this role?

“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.