Residential Youth Worker - Puketai

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 58,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Dunedin seeks a Permanent Residential Youth Worker for Puketai Care and Protection Residence. You will provide care and guidance to tamariki and rangatahi aged 8-17 in a 24-hour, structured setting focused on rehabilitation and education.

You will deliver education, therapeutic activities, and life-skills programmes, participate in physical activities, and mentor youth to build resilience and confidence within a safe, supportive environment.

Qualifications

• This role requires experience working with rangatahi or similar youth.
• Demonstrates resilience, empathy, and sound judgement.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide care, guidance and encouragement to rangatahi.
• Coach and support rangatahi through a structured daily routine.
• Deliver programmes including education, therapeutic interventions, and life skills.
• Participate in sports and gym activities with young people.
• Support learning, study and practical life skills like cooking or art.
• Mentor rangatahi to build confidence and positive decision-making.

Skills

Rangatahi support

Resilience & empathy

Strong communication

Relationship-building

Roster flexibility

Job description

We currently have a Permanent Residential Youth Worker position available at Puketai - Care and Protection Residence, based in Andersons Bay, Dunedin. Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children is committed to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do. Puketai Care and Protection Residence provides 24-hour care for up to eight tamariki and rangatahi aged 8-17, within a safe, supportive, and structured environment. Our residence focuses on rehabilitation, education, and trauma-informed care, supporting positive and long-term outcomes for young people. We work alongside rangatahi to strengthen life skills, wellbeing, and connections, helping them reintegrate into their communities with confidence and resilience.

About the role | mō te tūnga

Our Residential Youth Workers play a vital role in the everyday lives of the young people in our care. You will provide care, guidance, and encouragement, helping rangatahi make positive choices and supporting them to build a better future.

In this role, you will:

• Coach and support rangatahi through a structured daily routine
• Deliver innovative programmes including education, therapeutic interventions, and life and social skills development
• Participate in physical activities such as sports and gym sessions alongside young people
• Support learning and study, and teach practical life skills such as cooking, art, music, and cultural programmes
• Mentor rangatahi to build confidence, resilience, and positive decision-making skills
• Build strong, respectful relationships based on trust and consistency

About you | Mōu

This role may suit someone who brings life experience, emotional maturity, and confidence, and who is comfortable working in a dynamic, physically active environment with young people who need strong, consistent role modelling.

• Has experience working with rangatahi (professional, cultural, voluntary, or lived)
• Demonstrates resilience, empathy, and sound judgement
• Has strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Has the flexibility to work rostered shifts (including weekends and public holidays)
• Holds a full, clean NZ driver's licence and has the right to work in New Zealand
• Has an understanding of tikanga Māori and te reo Māori

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as we know this strengthens our team and better reflects the communities we serve.

What's in it for you | Nōu te rourou

We offer a remuneration package that starts between approximately $57,760 and $65,334 (depending on your experience). On top of this, we also apply a 20% allowance to your base remuneration for working shifts/a roster pattern. The 20% allowance is applied once you have completed your initial induction and are placed onto a rotating roster that covers days, evenings and weekends. Base remuneration plus the 20% allowance works out to be between $69,312 and $78,400 (depending on your experience). Additionally, Oranga Tamariki has a remuneration framework that offers step-based annual increases based on your tenure.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/.

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.