Transition Delivery Lead - Military Style Academy

Oranga Tamariki; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 126,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki is seeking a Transition Delivery Lead for the Military Style Academy in Palmerston North to support rangatahi transitioning from residential care back into families, education, employment and the community. The role connects residential rehabilitation with community reintegration and involves coordinating transition planning with social workers, whānau and partners.

The successful candidate will lead transition planning, develop comprehensive plans, coordinate access to education

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, counselling, psychology, education, addictions, or a related field is required.
• Experience supporting young people with complex needs.
• Experience in rehabilitation, reintegration, transition planning, case coordination, or community-based support services.
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Strong relationship management and engagement with whānau and communities.
• Commitment to culturally responsive practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Responsibilities

• Lead transition planning and reintegration activities for rangatahi returning to the community.
• Develop comprehensive transition plans with rangatahi, whānau, social workers and stakeholders.
• Coordinate access to education, employment, training, recreation and community opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with whānau, caregivers and support networks.
• Develop partnerships with schools, employers, community organisations and service providers.
• Support continuity of care and relapse prevention planning.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and adapt plans for successful outcomes.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary case reviews and integrated care plans.

Skills

Relationship management

Planning coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Youth development

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in social work or related field

Job description

Transition Delivery Lead - Military Style Academy

Build pathways to success. Strengthen connections. Support lasting change.

Oranga Tamariki is seeking a passionate and experienced Transition Delivery Lead to join the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme in Palmerston North. This is a unique opportunity to support rangatahi as they transition from residential care back into their whānau, education, employment, and community environments.

The Military Style Academy is an intensive therapeutic intervention for serious and persistent youth offenders. The programme combines educational, vocational, cultural, therapeutic, and physical activities designed to support sustainable behavioural change and positive long-term outcomes. A key component of the programme is ensuring rangatahi successfully apply the skills and progress achieved during the residential phase when they return to their communities.

As Transition Delivery Lead, you'll play a critical role in bridging the gap between residential rehabilitation and community reintegration, helping rangatahi build positive futures while reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Reporting to the Te Ara Hou Programme Manager, you'll lead and coordinate transition and reintegration planning for young people participating in the MSA Programme. Working alongside social workers, whānau, community providers, and multidisciplinary teams, you'll help ensure young people have the support, services, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading transition planning and reintegration activities for rangatahi returning to the community.
• Developing comprehensive transition plans alongside rangatahi, whānau, social workers, and key stakeholders.
• Coordinating access to education, employment, training, recreation, and community opportunities.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with whānau, caregivers, and support networks.
• Developing effective partnerships with schools, employers, community organisations, and service providers.
• Supporting continuity of care, relapse prevention planning, and ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
• Monitoring progress, identifying risks, and adapting plans to support successful outcomes.Contributing to multidisciplinary case reviews, transition planning meetings, and integrated care plans.

This role may require occasional weekend and public holiday work to support programme delivery and transition activities.

We're looking for someone who is passionate about youth development, skilled in relationship management, and committed to helping young people achieve positive futures.

You will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, counselling, psychology, education, addictions, or a related field.
• Experience supporting young people with complex needs.
• Experience in rehabilitation, reintegration, transition planning, case coordination, or community-based support services.
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Strong experience engaging young people, whānau, and community partners.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong planning, coordination, and organisational capability.
• An understanding of youth development, rehabilitation, and community reintegration principles.
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence.

Youth Justice, youth development, or community reintegration experience will be highly regarded.

Why join the Military Style Academy?

This is an opportunity to be part of a unique programme that supports rangatahi to create meaningful and lasting change in their lives.

You'll be part of a team committed to:

• Supporting successful rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Strengthening whānau and community connections.
• Reducing barriers to education, employment, and positive participation.
• Delivering evidence-informed and culturally responsive support.
• Making a genuine difference in the lives of young people and their communities.

Oranga Tamariki works to ensure all tamariki and rangatahi are in loving whānau and communities where they can be safe, strong, connected and flourish. We are committed to improving outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi, particularly Māori, through culturally responsive and evidence-informed practice.

Remuneration for this position starts between $125,926 - $139,459 depending on experience.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday the 21st of October 2026.

If you are interested, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out your expectations for ourkaimahiand requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.

Location(s) All New Zealand, Te Tai Tokerau Region, Kaitaia, North Shore, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hastings, Wellington, Hawera, Blenheim, Ashburton, Alexandra, Auckland, Kaikohe, West Auckland, Paeroa, Rotorua, Dannevirke, Lower Hutt, Horowhenua, Greymouth, Christchurch, Balclutha, Waikato, Whangarei, Central Auckland, Tokoroa, Napier, Upper Hutt, Palmerston North, Nelson, Rangiora, Dunedin, Bay of Plenty, Dargaville, South Auckland, Taupō, Gisborne, Porirua, Manawatu, Timaru, Gore, East Coast, Whakatane, Hawkes Bay, Paraparaumu, New Plymouth, Invercargill, Wellington, Masterton, Taumarunui, Oamaru, Taranaki-Manawatu, Wairoa, Whanganui, Upper South, Waipukurau, Canterbury, Lower South

Expertise Social Work, Care Services, Management, Other, Services for children and families, Youth Justice