Youth Engagement Worker – Secondary Schools

Presbyterian Support Northern; Māngere-Ōtāhuhu; Hybrid; NZD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Referral bonus

Long service leave

KiwiSaver

Leave purchasing

Wellbeing support

Flu vaccination

Scholarship opportunities

Job summary

Presbyterian Support Northern is seeking a Check and Connect Programme Worker to support secondary school students across Auckland, strengthening their connection with education and overcoming barriers to achievement. You will build strong relationships with students, whānau and schools, developing practical strategies to improve attendance and outcomes.

This role focuses on relationship-based work, travel between schools, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to help young people

Qualifications

• Youth Work qualification or Social Work degree meeting SWRB registration eligibility.
• Experience with young people in youth work, mentoring, education or community settings.
• Understanding of adolescent development and engagement challenges in schools.
• Ability to build trust, motivate youth and support positive goals.
• Practical, solutions-focused approach with initiative to adapt to changing needs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with students, whānau, schools and multidisciplinary teams.
• Understanding of strengths-based practice and cultural needs of communities.
• Current full NZ driver licence and reliable transport for travel between schools.

Responsibilities

• Support secondary school students across selected Auckland schools to strengthen connection with education.
• Develop and implement practical, strengths-based strategies to improve school engagement, attendance, achievement and completion.
• Build trusting relationships with young people, whānau, schools and community partners.
• Work directly with young people to motivate and guide them toward positive futures.

Skills

Youth Work

Social Work degree

Relationship building

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Youth Work qualification

Social Work degree with SWRB eligibility

Tools

Driver licence

Job description

Ko mātou tēnei I This is Us

We believe that everyone should be able to actively contribute to their community and thrive. Our team of 900 stretchesfrom Taupo to Whangarei, and provides access to critical health and social services. We are renowned for our core services Enliven, Family Works, Lifeline and Shine.

Everything we do is informed by our purpose to enable our clients to have a better life; and our values of Hope, Trust & Integrity, Compassion, Partnership, Tangata Whenua.

Family Works is a champion for children, providing professional counselling and social work in communities and schools and delivering programmes that bring about lasting change.

Te Kowhiringa I The Opportunity

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people? Do you enjoy building strong relationships, finding practical solutions and helping young people reach their potential?

Join us as a Check and Connect Programme Worker, supporting secondary school students across selected Auckland schools to strengthen their connection with education, overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.

This is a varied, relationship-focused role where you’ll work directly with young people, schools, whānau and the wider community. You’ll develop and implement practical, strengths-based strategies to improve school engagement, attendance, achievement and completion, encouraging young people to take positive steps towards their future.

If you’re someone who can build trust, think on your feet and motivate young people to recognise their strengths and opportunities, this could be the role for you.

Ngā pūkenga kei a koe I Your Skills and Experience

We’re looking for someone who is confident working alongside young people, can build rapport with a diverse range of students, and is committed to helping them succeed.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A Youth Work qualification or a Social Work degree that meets the eligibility requirements for registration with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB).
• Extensive experience working with young people, ideally in youth work, mentoring, education or a community-based setting.
• A strong understanding of adolescent development and the challenges that can affect young people’s engagement with school.
• The ability to build trusting relationships, motivate young people and support them to work towards positive goals.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to take initiative and respond to changing needs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, whānau, schools and a multidisciplinary team.
• An understanding of strengths-based practice and the cultural needs of the communities we work with.
• A current full New Zealand driver licence and reliable transport, as travel between schools and community settings is required.

Ngā āhuatanga hirahira o te mahi nei I Highlights of Working with Us

We are committed to creating a diverse work place where you can look forward to feeling included and valued for your contribution. Examples of our commitment, include that we are a dementia friendly organisation, a DVFREE Tick Accredited employer, a member of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion; and a member of the Pride Pledge.

Our people are critical to our success. Part of working as part of our team means that you will have access to:

• Professional external supervision and ongoing professional development
• Boost Programme: Instant access to special offers, gym memberships, and seasonal holiday deals across 50+ popular Kiwi brands.
• Referral Bonus: A $200 reward for every successful referral of a friend or family member to PSN wide.
• Employee Recognition: Company recognition for continued years of service. Nomination of employees for living the company values.
• Long Service Leave: An extra 5 days of leave applied at 5 years of service.
• KiwiSaver: Contributions provided in addition to your base salary.
• Leave Purchasing: The option to apply to purchase up to 10 additional days of annual leave each year.
• Wellbeing Support: Confidential support and online resources for you and your family through the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Flu Vaccination: Free annual flu vaccinations provided to help protect your health and wellbeing.
• PSN Scholarship: Financial and academic support opportunities to fund your professional development and higher education.

Please contact us at [e-mail] if you have any questions or would like a copy of the Role Profile.

To check out our Careers page, please copy and paste https://careers.psn.org.nz/ into your browser to learn more about us and working here, including other exciting opportunities with us.

E hika ma, Tono a mai! (What are you waiting for )… join our team and be part of the solution!