Youth Worker

Pathways Health Ltd; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave (pro rata after 1

2 wellbeing days annually

Increased Employer KiwiSaver

$250 health and wellbeing card

Support for school holiday programme

Inspiring team and purpose

Job summary

Pathways Health Ltd in Hamilton is seeking a Youth Worker to join our team on permanent, 34-hour evenings (Fri–Mon, 3:00pm–11:30pm) to support taiohi aged 12–24 in a residential respite setting.

You will work with an amazing team, focusing on mental health with trauma-informed care, cooking, life-skills coaching, and helping taiohi attend appointments while keeping the whare safe and calm.

Qualifications

• Hold a Level 4 NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (NZCHW) or a recognised equivalent, or be studying towards one.
• Experience working with young people and an understanding of trauma informed care.
• Demonstrated de-escalation skills and genuine relationship building ability.
• Hold a current full New Zealand driver’s licence.
• Hold a current New Zealand first aid certificate, or be prepared to obtain one.
• Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
• Be passionate about the mahi, focused under pressure, and take initiative on shift.

Responsibilities

• Support young people aged 12 to 18 in a residential respite setting with a trauma-informed care focus.
• Cook during meal times and keep the whare tidy and calm while helping taiohi build life skills.
• Assist taiohi with homework, budgeting, cooking, and planning for the week ahead.
• Support taiohi to attend and prepare for appointments, and advocate when needed.
• Respond calmly to unexpected situations, prioritising taiohi safety and wellbeing.
• Bring initiative and work well both independently and in a team on shift.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

De-escalation

Relationship building

Initiative

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Level 4 NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (NZCHW) or equivalent

Job description

Youth Worker

• Permanent, 34 hours per week, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 3.00pm to 11.30pm
• 5 weeks of annual leave (pro rata after 12 months) + 2 wellbeing days annually
• Earn up to $32.30 per hour + other great benefits

Love your work. Love the impact.

Do you want a role where every shift matters? We are looking for a PM kaimahi who brings energy, warmth and steady judgement to the evenings and weekends, when our taiohi need it most.

Real | Mŋ mătou

Our spirit is "loving life", and that is what we do. We work alongside our taiohi to help them realise this for themselves.

We provide health and wellbeing services, working with local community supports to help taiohi aged 12 to 24 develop life skills and build strong connections, including with their school, employer, whănau and friends.

The Benefits | Ngą ąhuatanga kei a mătou

• Increased Employer KiwiSaver contributions
• 5 weeks of annual leave after 12 months of employment
• 2 wellbeing days annually
• Extraordinary payment card, $250 per year to support health and wellbeing for you and your whănau
• School Holiday programme assistance and more...
• The chance to work with an amazing team with an inspirational purpose

The Role | Mŋ ūrtă tūiranga mahi

This is a permanent role covering our Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening shifts, 3:00pm to 11:30pm, based in Hamilton. As evening shift kaimahi, you are often the anchor of the whare during the busiest part of the day: the run home from school or appointments, dinner, homework, downtime and getting ready for bed.

In this role you will:

• Support young people aged 12 to 18 in a residential respite setting, with a core focus on their mental health through a trauma informed lens
• Run the practical side of the evening: cooking kai at meal times, keeping the whare tidy and calm, and helping taiohi build independent living skills along the way
• Help taiohi build life skills through everyday moments, whether that is homework, budgeting, cooking together or planning for the week ahead
• Support taiohi to attend and prepare for appointments, and advocate on their behalf when needed
• Be able to respond calmly to unexpected situations, always prioritising the safety and wellbeing of taiohi
• Bring initiative and work well both independently on shift and as part of a wider team

About You | Mŋ

You will:

• Hold a Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (NZCHW) or a recognised equivalent, or be studying towards one
• Have experience working with young people and an understanding of trauma informed care
• Bring both de-escalation skills and genuine relationship building ability
• Hold a current full New Zealand driver’s licence
• Hold a current New Zealand first aid certificate, or be prepared to obtain one
• Have knowledge of, and a demonstrable commitment to, the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Be genuinely passionate about the mahi, focused under pressure, and comfortable taking the initiative on shift

Closing Date | Rā Katinga:

25 September 2026.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and this advertisement may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

Position description: https://www.wisegroup.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Pathways-Youth-Worker-Sep-2024.pdf

Contact | Whakapą: Clare Williams, Team Coach, on 027 250 5585 or email [e-mail]

For further information, visit www.real.org.nz

Real is supported by Pathways Health Limited, part of the Wise Group. Pathways are committed to healthy lifestyles and actively support a smoke-free environment.

Note:

The Criminal History Check is exempt from the Clean Slate Act. In other words, the Clean Slate Act does not apply to this position. Please declare any offences, even those outside seven years, in your application.

All new appointees into Pathways require background checking. Under the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014, new employees identified as coming under this Act are required to undergo further safety checks as part of the recruitment process.