Counsellor, Interpersonal Violence

The University of Waikato; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unisaver NZ superannuation up to 6.75%

Career development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Waikato is seeking a Counsellor – Interpersonal Violence to join the Student Health Service. You will provide trauma-informed counselling and support to students affected by interpersonal violence, including sexual harm and family violence, while helping foster a safer, more inclusive campus.

You will collaborate with clinical and non-clinical staff to respond to disclosures, conduct risk assessments, and contribute to policy development and staff capability building.

Qualifications

• Fully registered mental health professional with experience in trauma-informed practices.
• Experience addressing sexual harm, family violence, and interpersonal violence.
• Strong assessment, intervention, and case-management skills.
• Commitment to culturally responsive practice with Māori, Pacific, Rainbow and diverse student communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist trauma-informed counselling, crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning for students.
• Act as a consultation resource for staff on disclosures and responses to interpersonal violence.
• Support staff with risk assessment, safety concerns, referral pathways and trauma-informed responses.
• Deliver training, workshops and capability-building to strengthen staff confidence and organisational response.
• Collaborate with Violence Prevention Health Promoter on campaigns, education programmes and awareness initiatives.
• Provide clinical expertise to ensure safe, evidence-informed prevention messaging and activities.

Skills

Trauma-informed counselling

Crisis intervention

Risk assessment

Safety planning

Interpersonal violence response

Staff training

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Professional registration (counsellor/social worker/psychologist)

Job description

Job Description

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 kōrero mō te tūranga – 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 mātou? – 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 ngā take 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 ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.

Applications Close on Sunday October 4, 2026