Permanent Residential Youth Worker - Epuni

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Wellbeing focus

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Lower Hutt is seeking permanent, full-time Residential Youth Workers to support rangatahi in care and protection. The role involves 24/7 rostered shifts to provide wrap-around care and guidance beyond a typical 9-to-5 day.

You will mentor youths, lead activities, support studies and life skills, and help them transition back into the community. Relevant life experiences are valued alongside resilience and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki.
• Tertiary education in psychology or social sciences would be advantageous.
• Resilience, initiative and a proactive approach with a positive outlook.
• Empathy and patience to see beyond what someone is going through.
• Sound judgement and risk management ability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of tikanga Māori and te reo Māori.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and motivate rangatahi through everyday experiences and structured programmes.
• Connect with young people through sports, fitness, and engaging activities.
• Assist with studies and life skills such as cooking, art, music and cultural programmes; mentor positive life choices.
• Build meaningful relationships to help rangatahi navigate challenges and reach potential.

Skills

Rangatahi experience

Empathy

Resilience

Communication

Tikanga Māori

Education

Tertiary qualification in psychology

Social work background

Tools

First aid certification

Job description

Epuni Care and Protection Residence in Lower Hutt, Wellington is looking for permanent, full-time Residential Youth Workers to be involved in the daily lives of at-risk rangatahi.

Mō mātou | About us:

Our tamariki and rangatahi deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau. At Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, we're on a journey to ensure that it happens. We are a leading social work practice that is child-centred, trauma-informed, and effective for all cultures. We are a Ministry with a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do and say.

Mō te ššunga | About the role:

Our Residential Youth Workers have an important role to play. They provide care and support to the young people in our care and encourage and motivate them to make positive choices. This is a permanent opportunity to positively influence young people, help them grow and successfully transition back into the community. Epuni is a secure facility that provides a safe and structured residence for rangatahi in Care and Protection.

This is not a 9 to 5 job, our young people require wrap around support from us which is why our Residential Youth Workers do rostered shifts as the facility provides 24-hours, 7-days per week coverage (including weekends and public holidays). Typical duties of the role can involve:

• Mentor and motivate rangatahi through everyday experiences and structured programmes
• Connect with young people through sports, fitness, and a range of engaging activities
• Supporting our rangatahi by helping them with their studies, teaching them life skills such as cooking, art, music and cultural programmes as well as mentoring them to make positive life choices.
• Build meaningful relationships that help rangatahi navigate challenges and reach their potential.

Ngā Ÿšōmńatanga ńń | What you will bring:

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki
• A tertiary education within psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts or teaching would be an advantage (but isn't required). Relevant life experiences and understanding of what rangatahi may be going through are equally important.
• Resilience, initiative and a proactive approach with a positive outlook
• Empathy, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
• Sound judgement with the ability to manage risk and make tough decisions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience
• Understanding and confidence in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori
• Physically fit to keep up with rangatahi in activities and daily life routines
• Meet the Children's Act safety checking and our vetting requirements (please note that Clean Slate does not apply)
• A full, clean New Zealand drivers license
• Flexibility to work different shifts - mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays

Nńā te rourou | What's in it for you:

As a shift worker, annual remuneration that starts between approximately $69,312 to 78,400 (depending on your experience) this includes allowances for working shifts. Oranga Tamariki has a remuneration framework that gives pay increases based on tenure (time in the job). We provide 3 weeks of paid training to best prepare youth workers to succeed.

We offer a vibrant and supportive team, with a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit

Applications close at midnight on 14th October 2026! Applications will be reviewed and successful candidates may be invited to an interview prior to this advert closing

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.