Occupational Therapist

Ministry of Education; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Education in Auckland Central-East is seeking an Occupational Therapist to deliver equitable, school-based occupational therapy services in line with NZ Curriculum Framework.

The role requires a minimum of three years' experience, with strong paediatric experience and ability to develop inclusive programmes in collaboration with families, teachers and other professionals. Salary range: 69,966 – 119,450 per annum plus KiwiSaver.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years' experience in occupational therapy.
• Strong paediatric experience preferred, especially with children with complex needs.
• Specialist knowledge of theory and practice in occupational therapy for children.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality school-based occupational therapy services in line with NZ Curriculum Framework.
• Respond to referrals, assess and implement school-based programmes.
• Collaborate with parents, whanau, teachers and other professionals to develop inclusive interventions.

Skills

Paediatric experience

Leadership/mentoring

Collaboration

Assessment & intervention

Education

Bachelor's in Occupational Therapy

Job description

We work toshapeaneducationsystem that deliversequitableandexcellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

We have a permanent, part-time (0.6 FTE) Occupational Therapist vacancy in the Manawa region (Auckland Central-East). The role will be based in the Mt Eden office.

The purpose of the Occupational Therapist is to provide effective, efficient and equitable occupational therapy services in accordance with the goals, objectives and policies of the Ministry of Education.

This position would be best suited to an Occupational Therapist with a minimum of three years' experience. Previous paediatric experience is strongly preferred, particularly experience working with children with complex physical needs.

Furthermore, as an Occupational Therapist at the Ministry of Education you will:

• Provide high quality learning support services to facilities, learners, parents/caregivers and to other service users in accordance with the guiding principles of the NZ Curriculum Framework.
• Respond to referrals, provide assessment and through direct or indirect intervention implement school based occupational therapy programmes to meet the needs of identified learners.
• Develop and implement, either individually or as a member of a team, inclusive programmes by working collaboratively with parents, whanau, caregivers, teachers/educators and other professionals.

Salary range: $69,966 - $119,450 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here .

About you | Mōhou ake

To be a successful Occupational Therapist at the Ministry of Education, you will have specialist knowledge of theory, research and practice related to typical and atypical child and human development, and occupational therapy theory and practice

You will offer:

• A track record of bringing people together and leading, coaching and mentoring others to achieve outcomes.
• Postgraduate experience with at least one year in paediatrics or neurology.
• A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
• Ability to apply specialist knowledge of occupational therapy theory and practice in the development of appropriate interventions in inclusive educational settings.
• Ability to undertake a range of formal and informal assessment procedures using a range of assessment tools and to interpret the results.
• Ability to translate specialist knowledge into practical information that will assist in the development, provision and support of individual programmes in order to overcome barriers to learning.
• The ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Mahau takiwā collectively provide leadership and integrated services to the education sector. Our core role is to deliver professional services and provide advice to schools, kura, and early learning services, to help them to achieve better outcomes for tamariki and ākonga. This includes advice and guidance to the sector for the implementation of Government’s priorities, working directly with schools, kura and early learning services and connecting in with other government agencies, iwi and community groups.

tāmaki Herenga Manawa covers central and east Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf – from Kaitoke School on Aotea/Great Barrier Island to Clevedon School in the east, Mangere Bridge School in the south and Avondale College in the west. Teams are based across 2 offices, Botany in Manukau and Maungawhau/Mt Eden which also hosts School Property, staff from Education Review Office (ERO) and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). The region includes service delivery to around 200 schools and 500 early learning services, with school rolls varying from over 3500 at large urban high schools to around 30 students at small rural schools

Applications close Midnight – Wednesday 16 September 2026

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.