Youth Addictions Practitioner

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 126,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Palmerston North is seeking an Addictions Practitioner to join the Military Style Academy (MSA) programme. You will deliver specialist assessments and evidence-informed interventions to support rangatahi in recovery and during transition back into the community.

Working in a multidisciplinary team, you will apply trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches to address substance use and related behaviours, engage whānau and partner services, and help young

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in addictions or related field and registration where applicable.
• Experience with youth facing addiction challenges.
• Experience delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Experience with high-risk or justice-involved populations.
• Strong assessment, treatment planning and risk management skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist addiction assessments and develop intervention plans.
• Deliver evidence-informed interventions using approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, relapse prevention, and strengths-based practice.
• Support rangatahi to understand addiction, emotional wellbeing, decision-making, and offending behaviour.
• Identify triggers, manage risk factors, and develop healthier coping strategies.
• Provide continuity of care and therapeutic support during residential care and transition to the community.
• Collaborate with whānau, social workers, education providers, health services, and community agencies.
• Contribute specialist addiction knowledge to multidisciplinary case reviews and care planning.
• Support staff capability through coaching, education, and guidance on addiction and recovery principles.

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in addictions, psychology, social work, counselling, education, or related field

Job description

Palmerston North Location 12 Month Fixed Term ContractSupport recovery. Inspire change. Help rangatahi build brighter futures.Oranga Tamariki is seeking a passionate and experienced Addictions Practitioner to join the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme in Palmerston North. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you'll help rangatahi overcome addiction-related challenges and build the foundations for long-term wellbeing, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration. 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 for rangatahi. Through a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and mana-enhancing approach, the programme addresses the underlying drivers of offending behaviour while helping young people create positive futures for themselves, their whānau, and their communities. As an Addictions Practitioner, you'll provide specialist assessment and treatment services for rangatahi experiencing substance use, behavioural addictions, and other addiction-related challenges. You'll support young people both during their residential journey and throughout their transition back into the community.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Reporting to the Te Ara Hou Programme Manager, you'll deliver evidence-informed interventions that support recovery, strengthen resilience, reduce harm, and promote positive behavioural change.

Key responsibilities

• Conducting specialist addiction assessments and developing individual intervention plans.
• Delivering evidence-based interventions using approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, relapse prevention, and strengths-based practice.
• Supporting rangatahi to understand the relationship between addiction, emotional wellbeing, decision-making, and offending behaviour.
• Assisting rangatahi to identify triggers, manage risk factors, and develop healthier coping strategies.
• Providing continuity of care and therapeutic support as young people transition back into the community.
• Working collaboratively with whānau, social workers, education providers, health services, and community agencies.
• Contributing specialist addiction knowledge to multidisciplinary case reviews and care planning.
• Supporting staff capability through coaching, education, and guidance on addiction and recovery principles.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are an experienced practitioner who is passionate about supporting vulnerable young people to make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives.

You will bring

• A relevant tertiary qualification in addictions, psychology, social work, counselling, education, or a related field.
• Registration with DAPAANZ or another relevant professional body where applicable.
• Experience working with young people experiencing addiction-related challenges.
• Experience delivering therapeutic interventions and behaviour change programmes.
• Experience working with high-risk, vulnerable, or justice-involved populations.
• Strong assessment, treatment planning, and risk management skills.
• Knowledge of youth development, addiction, recovery, and behavioural change theories.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive practice.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A current full New Zealand Driver Licence.

Why join the Military Style Academy?

This is an opportunity to be part of a unique programme that supports rangatahi to break harmful cycles, strengthen protective factors, and create positive futures.

You’ll be part of a team committed to:

• Supporting meaningful behavioural change and recovery.
• Delivering evidence-informed therapeutic interventions.
• Strengthening connections to whānau, culture, and community.
• Supporting successful rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Making a genuine difference in the lives of young people every day.

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

Applications close at midnight on Friday 23rd of October 2026.