Special Education Advisor

Ministry of Education; Whakatāne; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Ministry of Education in Whakatāne is seeking a Special Education Advisor to join a close-knit Learning Support team. The role focuses on maximizing learning, promoting social inclusion, and supporting children with learning support needs.

You will work with educators, parents and whānau to understand behaviours, adjust learning environments, and facilitate access to services such as speech and language therapy. A Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent is desirable.

Qualifications

• A teaching qualification with a minimum of three years' teaching experience.
• Desirable: Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Early Intervention) or a postgraduate qualification in Educational and Developmental Psychology.
• Extensive knowledge, experience and skills in supporting children and young people with severe and challenging behaviours and learning needs.
• Experience working collaboratively with families, whānau, caregivers, schools and agencies to meet the needs of children and young people with additional needs.

Responsibilities

• Identify patterns or contributing factors influencing learning, wellbeing and behaviour.
• Collaborate with the team around the child, including educators, parents, caregivers and whānau.
• Help adults around the child to change the learning environment for safer, more effective management.
• Support the child to develop pro-social behaviours and improve participation and learning outcomes.
• Facilitate access to wider services and supports (e.g., speech and language therapy).
• Collaboratively assess, plan, develop, support and monitor learning plans.
• Enhance inclusive practices in early learning services, schools and other settings.

Skills

Teaching experience

Collaboration

Communication

Inclusion focus

Education

Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Early Intervention)

Postgraduate qualification in Educational and Developmental Psychology

Teaching qualification

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand

Help shape the future of Education We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes Our 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 ourākonga in our education system.

About this role

Mō tēnei tūranga Permanent, full-time role Based in Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty. We are looking for a Special Education Advisor to be part of a close-knit, community-focused team that maximises learning and promotes social inclusion for children and young people with learning support needs. As a Special Education Advisor, you will play a critical role in our region's Learning Support team by: Identifying patterns or contributing factors that may be influencing learning, wellbeing and behaviour. Working collaboratively with a team around the child, including educators, parents, caregivers and whānau, to enhance understanding about the child and their behaviours. Helping the adults around the child to make changes to the learning environment so that their behaviour can be more effectively managed, and the situation can be stabilised/made safer. This includes supporting the child to develop more pro-social ways of responding, and improving their participation, wellbeing and learning outcomes. Facilitating access to wider services and support, in response to individual needs, for example speech and language therapy and local agencies. Collaboratively assessing, planning, developing, supporting and monitoring the implementation of effective individual (or group) learning plans. Enhancing inclusive practices in early learning services, schools and other educational settings.

This permanent, full-time role is based at our Whakatāne Office in one of New Zealand's sunniest locations, offering a fantastic lifestyle and work-life balance opportunity. Whakatāne is the cultural hub of the Whakatāne District which has many local attractions that showcase the rich heritage and history of the area. Applicants who live in Tauranga, Rotorua or the surrounding Bay of Plenty areas and who are willing to commute may also be interested in this role.

Salary range: $69,966-$119,450 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience. For more details about the role, you can view Job Description here.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will need to have the following capabilities and competencies:

• a teaching qualification with a minimum of three years' teaching experience
• a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (Early Intervention) or a postgraduate qualification in Educational and Developmental Psychology, or equivalent, is desirable
• extensive knowledge, experience and skills in supporting children and young people with severe and challenging behaviours and learning needs in a classroom or other relevant settings
• experience in and willingness to work collaboratively and support other education professionals and agencies to meet the needs of children and young people with additional needs
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with children, young people and their families/whānau and teachers across a diverse range of settings
• experience working in Māori-medium settings or the ability to work across Māori informed practice models would be advantageous
• the ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tirirti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga, including promoting tikanga and te reo Māori
• a genuine commitment to evidence-based interventions which demonstrate inclusive education practice and contribute to raising student achievement
• a full current driver licence as travel across the region is a requirement of this role
• the ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct

About our group and team

Te Mahau | Education Services is a frontline group that collectively provides leadership and integrated services to the sector and others.

Learning Support is a critical part of Te Mahau | Education Services in the Ministry. We are charged with leading the education sector in ensuring that children and young people with additional learning needs are supported to achieve their full potential through education.

Our Learning Support specialists work closely with families, whānau, caregivers, schools and early childhood educators in English and Māori medium settings and other agencies to help maximise learning outcomes and promote social inclusion. (Please see the following link: Recruitment within Learning Support - Careers in Education)

Are you ready to make a difference?

If you need any further information, please contact Pennie Muldoon at 07 349 7464 and/or email [e-mail].

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 9 November 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.