Social Worker - Fixed Term until June 2027

Oranga Tamariki; Te Awamutu; Hybrid; NZD 81,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days annual leave (full-time)

SWRB renewal costs covered

APC renewal costs covered

Professional development opportunities

Reduced Southern Cross premiums

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children invites a qualified Social Worker to join the Te Awamutu team on a fixed-term basis through June 2027. You will support tamariki and rangatahi by assessing needs, formulating intervention plans, and engaging whānau, iwi, and partner agencies to improve outcomes.

Applicants should be registered with the SWRB or eligible, have a relevant social work qualification, and demonstrate strong communication, cultural awareness, and resilience.

Qualifications

• Full registration with NZ's SWRB or eligible to register.
• Social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB.
• Understanding of cross-cultural practices; tikanga Māori and Pacific cultures.
• Valid driver’s licence and reliable transport.
• Strong written and verbal communication and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Meet with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to listen and assess needs.
• Develop intensive intervention plans and contribute to hui-ā-whānau.
• Participate in family group conferences and collaborate with agencies.
• Partner with iwi and community groups to improve outcomes.

Skills

Excellent communication

Resilience

Problem solving

Cultural awareness

Driver's licence

Adaptability

MS Office

Report writing

Education

SWRB registration/eligible

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Social Worker - Fixed Term until June 2027

• Fixed-Term Social Worker opportunity available - ending June 2027
• Position based in Te Awamutu, Waikato
• Remuneration starting from $81,206 - $97,557 dependent on experience

Mō te tūnga | About the role

The wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi is everyone's responsibility. They deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau and community.

If these words capture why you became a Social Worker, then you belong on the journey we have begun at Oranga Tamariki. We're looking for qualified, registered, and experienced social workers who want to make a real difference by putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything they do.

As part of our dynamic team based at our Te Awamutu site, you may spend your day meeting with tamariki, rangatahi and their family and whānau listening to what they have to say, completing assessments of need, formulating intensive intervention plans, participating in hui-ā-whānau, family group conferences, and partnering with other agencies, community groups and local iwi to improve outcomes.

Salary for this role starts between $81,206 - $97,557 per annum with further progression through tenure.

To be successful in this rewarding position, you will need:

• Full registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board (SWRB) or able to register
• A social worker qualification recognised by the SWRB
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture
• A full, clean, current driver's licence
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated resilience, problem solving techniques and flexibility
• Strong PC and Microsoft Office Suite skills with excellent report writing skills

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

We also offer:

• Reduced Southern Cross premiums
• SWRB and APC renewal costs covered
• Opportunity to build your professional network with colleagues across the wider children's workforce
• Significant training and professional development so that you can continue to grow and thrive
• 23 days annual leave for full time staff, increasing to 25 days annual leave after 5 years' service (pro-rated for part time)

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

Our vision is to ensure New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment of putting children first, we believe aroha is vital, we respect the mana of people, we are tika and pono, we value whakapapa and we recognise that oranga is a journey.