Residential Youth Worker - Mary Crescent

New Zealand Government; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Professional development

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is recruiting a full-time Residential Youth Worker in Upper Hutt. You will provide care and wraparound support to tamariki and rangatahi, with a rostered 24/7 shift pattern including weekends and public holidays.

Join a child-centred, trauma-informed team that values safety, culture, and teamwork. You will mentor youths, encourage positive choices, and help them transition back into the community through structured activities and education support.

Qualifications

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki
• Meet the Children's Act safety checking and vetting requirements
• New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency
• Resilience, initiative, and a proactive attitude
• Empathy, patience, and ability to understand challenges faced by rangatahi

Responsibilities

• Support and coach rangatahi through the structured daily programme
• Participate in physical activities with young people and join gym sessions
• Support rangatahi with studies and develop life skills (cooking, art, music, cultural programmes)
• Mentor young people and help them make positive life choices
• Build positive relationships and establish rapport with rangatahi
• Support trauma-affected youths by guiding behaviour constructively

Skills

Experience with rangatahi

Resilience and proactive attitude

Empathy and communication

Education

Tertiary education in psychology / social sciences / teaching

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 https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

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 [e-mail].

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.