Counsellor - Interpersonal Violence

CGR Services; Auckland; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer superannuation contributions

Job summary

The University of Waikato's Student Health Service seeks a Counsellor - Interpersonal Violence to provide trauma-informed counselling and support to students affected by interpersonal violence, including sexual harm, family and relationship violence, harassment, coercion, and other forms of abuse. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) at Hillcrest Campus.

You will work in partnership with the Violence Prevention Health Promoter to inform and shape violence prevention campaigns,

Qualifications

• Fully registered mental health professional with experience in trauma-informed practice.
• Experience supporting people with mental health needs and delivering recovery-focused interventions.
• Knowledge of the NZ mental health sector, referral pathways, and culturally responsive practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist trauma-informed counselling, crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning for students.
• Act as a consultation resource for staff on responding to disclosures and situations involving interpersonal violence.
• Support staff with risk assessment, safety concerns, and referral pathways.
• Deliver training, workshops, and capability-building to strengthen staff competency.
• Collaborate with Violence Prevention Health Promoter on campaigns and education programmes.
• Contribute to the development of policies and service improvements for interpersonal violence response.
• Build relationships with community agencies to coordinate pathways of care for students.
• Work within the Student Health Service team to promote student wellbeing and success.

Skills

Trauma-informed

Counselling

Risk assessment

Interpersonal violence response

Job description

Student Health Service Support student wellbeing and safety as a specialist Counsellor - Interpersonal Violence. This role is ideal for an experienced counsellor, social worker, psychologist, or other suitably qualified mental health professional with expertise in trauma-informed practice, sexual harm, family violence, and interpersonal violence response.

• Opportunity to support student wellbeing and safety.
• Reduced university papers and career development opportunities.
• Up to 6.75% employer contributions to Unisaver NZ superannuation scheme.

Ngā ākoro mōn te tēranga - About the role

We’re looking for an exceptional Counsellor - Interpersonal Violence to join our Student Health Service team. In this specialist role, you will provide trauma-informed counselling and support to students affected by interpersonal violence, including sexual harm, family and relationship violence, harassment, coercion, and other forms of abuse. You will play a key role in supporting student wellbeing while contributing to a safer and more inclusive campus environment.

In this role, you will:

• Provide specialist trauma-informed counselling, crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning for students.
• Act as a key consultation resource for clinical and non-clinical staff seeking guidance on responding to disclosures and situations involving interpersonal violence.
• Support staff to navigate risk assessment, safety concerns, referral pathways, and trauma-informed responses.
• Deliver training, workshops, and capability-building initiatives that strengthen staff confidence and organisational response.
• Work in partnership with the Violence Prevention Health Promoter to inform and shape violence prevention campaigns, education programmes, and awareness initiatives.
• Provide clinical expertise to ensure prevention messaging and educational activities are safe, evidence-informed, and responsive to student needs.
• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, and service improvements that strengthen the University’s response to interpersonal violence.
• Build effective relationships with specialist community agencies and develop coordinated pathways of care for students.
• Work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary Student Health Service team committed to student wellbeing and success.

Remuneration will be based on the skills, knowledge, and experience you bring to the role. This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week) based at our Hillcrest Campus.

Ko wai koe? - Who are you?

You are a fully registered mental health professional (e.g. counsellor, social worker, psychologist) with strong assessment, intervention, and case management skills. You have experience supporting people with mental health needs, delivering brief, recovery-focused interventions, and connecting clients with the right services and supports. You bring a sound understanding of the Aotearoa mental health sector, including community services, referral pathways, and the factors that influence student wellbeing.

Committed to culturally responsive practice, you work effectively with Māori, Pacific, Rainbow, and diverse student communities, providing inclusive, respectful, and compassionate care. You communicate clearly, build strong relationships, and work effectively both independently and within an interdisciplinary team, and across the University.

Adaptable and organised, you remain steady under pressure and are committed to continuous learning, professional integrity, and contributing positively to student wellbeing.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At The University of Waikato, we’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly match every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be just the right person for this or another opportunity on our team.

Ko wai mōn? - Who are we?

The Student Services Division provides high quality integrated services that foster engagement, promote wellbeing and support students in achieving their academic goals. The work of the Division comprises the following student services: administrative processes from enrolment through to graduation, enquiry management, pastoral care, international student services, health, accommodation, counselling, disabilities support, career development services, sport and wellbeing, student surveys and student complaints and appeals.

The Director of Campus Life is responsible for the overall management of the Division, with assistance from a team of Associate Directors including the Associate Director Student Health. The Student Health Service provides high quality, accessible primary health care, mental health and counselling services to the University of Waikato students and enhances the educational process by modifying or removing health-related barriers to personal development and learning.

He aha ā ākora mōn me tono mai ai koe? - Why should you apply for this position?

We want you to be part of our success! Our University stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths.

Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits. The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply.

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here.

Ko te Tangata - For the People

The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all. E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ňire ki Ō ťďngata katoa.

Applications close on Sunday, 4 October 2026

Requisition number: 1003791

Counsellor - Interpersonal Violence • Waikato, Waikato, NZ