Residential Youth Worker - Mary Crescent

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

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Upper Hutt is seeking a full-time Residential Youth Worker to provide care and support for young people in our supervised home. This role requires rostered shifts to enable 24/7 care, including weekends and public holidays.

You will engage rangatahi through structured programmes, physical activities, education support, and life skills development such as cooking, art, music and te reo Māori, with a trauma-informed, child-centred approach.

Qualifications

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki.
• Meet safety checking and vetting requirements (Clean Slate does not apply).
• NZ citizenship or permanent residency.
• Flexible to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Support rangatahi through the structured daily programme.
• Participate in physical activities with young people.
• Support studies and develop life skills through activities like cooking, art, music, and cultural programmes.
• Mentor rangatahi and support positive life choices.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with rangatahi.
• Establish rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and redirect behaviour positively.

Skills

Experience with rangatahi/tamariki

Resilience and proactive attitude

Empathy and patience

Strong verbal and written коммуника

Flexibility to work rostered shifts

Risk awareness and sound judgment

Life experience understanding current/

Tikanga Māori/te reo Māori knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualification in psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts or teaching (advantage)

Job description

Are you passionate about making a real and positive difference in the lives of New Zealand's tamariki and rangatahi?

We have the opportunity for a full-time Youth Worker to join the team, supporting our supervised home in Upper Hutt!

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 tūnga | 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 support their successful transition back into the community.

This is not a 9-to-5 role. Our young people require wraparound support, which is why our Residential Youth Workers work rostered shifts to provide 24-hour, 7-day-per-week care, including weekends and public holidays.

• Support and coach rangatahi through the structured daily programme
• Participate in physical activities with our young people by playing sports and taking part in gym sessions
• Support rangatahi with their studies and help develop life skills through activities such as cooking, art, music, and cultural programmes
• Mentor young people and support them to make positive life choices.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with rangatahi
• Establish and build rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and support them by positively redirecting behaviour

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring:

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki
• Meet the Children's Act safety checking and our vetting requirements (please note that Clean Slate does not apply)
• New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency
• Resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach with a positive outlook
• Empathy, patience, and the ability to look beyond the challenges someone may be experiencing
• A tertiary education within psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts or teaching would be an advantage
• Flexibility to work different shifts - mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
• Physically able to participate in activities and keep up with a group of active young people
• Sound judgement with the ability to manage risk and make tough decisions
• Life experience and understanding of the challenges rangatahi may be experiencing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience
• Knowledge of, and confidence in, tikanga Māori and te reo Māori would be highly valued

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

As a shift worker, your annual remuneration will be approximately $69,312 to $78,400 (depending on experience), including shift allowances. Oranga Tamariki has a remuneration framework gives pay increases based on tenure (time in the job).

We offer a vibrant and supportive team environment, flexible work options, and 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

midnight Friday 2nd October! Applications will be reviewed and successful candidates may be invited to an interview prior to this advert closing.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact

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.