Team Leader Operations - Te Puna Wai

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training and career development

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is seeking a Team Leader Operations for Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence in Christchurch. You will lead a team of Residential Youth Workers, provide leadership, and ensure safety and security across 24/7 operations.

The role requires experienced people leadership, strong planning, and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders while maintaining high standards of care for rangatahi. On-site responsibilities and on-call components apply.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing teams and staff development in a shift or rostered work environment.
• Technically savvy.
• Advanced planning and organisational skills.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to successfully engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated empathy and physical ability to safely engage with rangatahi on the floor.
• Proven cultural competency.

Responsibilities

• Providing support and leadership to operational delivery and strategic vision for the residence
• Implementing our policies and safe working practices
• Ensuring residential staff training and supervision requirements are met

Skills

Team leadership

Tech-savvy

Planning & organisation

Relationship management

Communication skills

Empathy & safety

Cultural competency

Job description

Permanent Opportunity

Burnham, Christchurch

Location

Mō mātou

About us

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 journeyWe are committed to ensuring that 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. Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence is a residential facility where 14-17 year-olds accused of an offence stay to await court proceedings or serve a sentence. This means that they are not free to leave. However, a residence is not a prison. We offer our rangatahi valuable experiences and sets them up with the skills they will need to make meaningful contributions to their whānau and community. We want to call it out upfront - this role will be challenging at times. Residences are dynamic, complex, and at times, high-risk environments. However, despite the challenges, this work is deeply rewarding and offers you the opportunity to make a tangible difference for rangathi.

Mō te tūnga

About the role

The Team Leader Operations is an integral part of the leadership team. You will lead a team of Residential Youth Workers that are passionate about positively influencing the journey a rangatahi is travelling on. You will provide unwavering, supportive team management and leadership whilst ensuring the safety and security of everyone in the residence is maintained at all times.

Responsibilities

• Providing support and leadership to operational delivery and strategic vision for the residence
• Implementing our policies and safe working practices
• Ensuring residential staff training and supervision requirements are met

Due to the immediate and direct impact this position has on operational deployment and capability, you will need to feel comfortable taking direction from your manager, the Manager Residence Operations.

As the Residence is a 24/7 operation, your work pattern will not be a standard 9am to 5pm, and there will be on-call components to the role.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu

What you will bring

We want inspired and talented people leaders with the vision, knowledge, capability and drive to help us continue our impactful mahi.

• Proven experience in managing teams and staff development in a shift or rostered work environment
• Technically savvy
• Advanced planning and organisational skills
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to successfully engage with a wide range of stakeholders
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated empathy and physical ability to safely engage with rangatahi on the floor
• Proven cultural competency

Due to the critical need to fill this position, you must have a valid right to work in New Zealand and be able to meet the background checks criteria under the Children's Act2014.

Nōu te rourou

What's in it for you

• Full training, supervision and career development opportunities
• The ability to make a difference to the outcomes for our rangatahi
• The ability to make long lasting relationships within the community

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

Applications close9th of November2026.