Residential Youth Worker - Mary Crescent

Oranga Tamariki; Upper Hutt; Hybrid; NZD 69,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki in Upper Hutt is seeking a dedicated Residential Youth Worker to support a supervised home for tamariki and rangatahi. You’ll foster safety, voice, and growth, guiding them through routines and constructive activities to aid a successful community transition.

This full-time, shift-based role requires energy for 24/7 care, including weekends and holidays. A background in psychology, social sciences, social work, or teaching is advantageous; NZ citizenship or residency is required.

Qualifications

• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki.
• Meet safety checks and vetting requirements; Clean Slate not required.
• NZ citizenship or permanent residency is required.

Responsibilities

• Support and coach rangatahi through the structured daily programme.
• Participate in physical activities with young people (sports, gym).
• Support studies and develop life skills (cooking, art, music, culture).
• Mentor and guide young people to make positive life choices.
• Build positive, trusting relationships and manage behaviour constructively.

Skills

Experience with rangatahi

Resilience

Empathy

Communication skills

Risk management

Verbal & written communication

Flexible shifts

Physical fitness

Life experience with challenges

Tikanga Māori / te reo Māori knowledge

Education

Tertiary edu in psychology / social sciences / social work / teaching

Job description

Residential Youth Worker - Mary Crescent

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 puttingtamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do and say.

Mō te tūnga| About therole:

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

• 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.

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 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 kaimahiand requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.