Senior Support Officer

New Zealand Government Joba; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 62,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

The Ministry of Education NZ is seeking a Senior Support Officer to join our Business Support team in Whanganui. This permanent full-time role focuses on delivering exceptional administrative support, maintaining smooth office operations, and collaborating across teams to serve the region.

You will report to the Business Support Manager, bring a calm, flexible approach, and uphold public service standards in a busy environment. Salary ranges and kiwi saver are included in the package.

Qualifications

• Proven exceptional customer service and strong organisational skills.
• Able to plan and prioritise tasks with attention to detail.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with high service standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with a proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality administrative support to managers and staff.
• Ensure the office runs efficiently and smoothly on a day-to-day basis.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (including virtual) to resolve issues.
• Represent the Ministry professionally to colleagues and visitors in Whanganui.

Skills

Customer service

Organising

Planning

Time management

MS Office

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Help shape the future of education in NewZealand

Help shape the future of education in NewZealandHelp shape the future of EducationWe work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomesOur organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our ākonga in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

Senior Support Officer Full time, Permanent, based in our Whanganui officeAn opportunity exists for a permanent full time superstar administrator to join our Business Support team based in Whanganui. We are looking for a professional, adaptable team player to join us in making a difference for our region.Reporting to the Business Support Manager you will never have two days the same. You will bring your exceptional customer service, organisation, and planning skills to the role as a Senior Support Officer. You will be responsible for a wide range of administrative support activities and complete these to exceptional high standards and attention to detail. You will bring with you a positive and collaborative approach, a desire to learn and an attitude to challenge the status quo, that will enrich our Business Support team and ensure we provide the highest standard of service to all our customers. Your calm and professional demeanour will always shine through even when things are extremely busy.As the face of the Ministry in Whanganui this is an office based role. You will demonstrate ownership and initiative to ensure that the office runs efficiently and seamlessly to support our colleagues, and visitors across the region.

Salary range: $61,879-$73,999 per annum plus kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in the role you will:

• Have a passion for knowledge, open to learning new things and comfortable working in a varying environment.
• Build exceptional working relationships with customers.
• Deliver services to the required standards.
• Work with others across the Ministry to provide support and resolve issues in a pro-active and professional manner.
• Provide quality, efficient administrative support to managers and staff.
• Be an adaptable team player able to work in varying conditions and virtual cross functional teams.
• Have great time management with an ability to prioritise work and work towards timelines.
• Have proficiency in Microsoft suite.
• Be comfortable working in a tikanga/kaupapa Māori environment.
• Have knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi, and apply it to the work being undertaken.
• Have Well-developed communication skills, both oral and written.
• Have a full, clean Drivers licence.
• Adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Te Mahau is a frontline group. Our frontline groups collectively provide leadership and integrated services to the sector and others. This includes services, such as learning support and education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services.As a frontline group we develop and harness existing relationships with communities at the regional and local level through the Directors of Education, including deep relationships with iwi and hapū. Our Directors of Education have the lead role and relationship with early learning, kōhanga, school and kura, and this means they will be across all the services we provide at a local level.Our Business Support team provides support to the Education and Learning Support teams in New Plymouth, Whanganui and Manawatū regions, and we regularly work with families, schools, and early childhood centres to support their work in the sector.The team is supportive, ultra-friendly and diverse, customer focused and driven to provide the best service possible. You will have lots of colleagues to help you as you learn the business.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

For further information, please contact Wendy Cutler, Business Support Manager on 027 218 6195 or via email at [e-mail] Applications close midnight - Monday, 19 October 2026.We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustme