Transition Delivery Lead - Military Style Academy

New Zealand Government Joba; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 126,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki is seeking a passionate Transition Delivery Lead to join the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme in Palmerston North. You will lead transition and reintegration planning for rangatahi returning to whānau, education, employment, and the community, coordinating with social workers, whānau, and providers.

The role focuses on building pathways to lasting change, coordinating services, and reducing reoffending through evidence-informed, culturally responsive practice.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, counselling, psychology, education, addictions, or related field.
• Experience supporting young people with complex needs.
• Experience in rehabilitation, reintegration, transition planning, case coordination, or community-based support services.
• Experience working with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Strong engagement with rangatahi, whānau, and community partners.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong planning, coordination, and organisational capability.
• Understanding of youth development, rehabilitation, and community reintegration principles.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Transition planning

Youth development

Multi-agency collaboration

Planning & coordination

Education

Tertiary qualification in social work or related field

Job description

Palmerston North Location 12 Month Fixed Term ContractBuild 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.

• 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.

He kōrero mōu | About you

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.

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

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