Youth Worker

Wise Group; Waikanae; On-site; NZD 54,000 - 56,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Extra Annual Leave + 5th Week after 12

2 Paid Wellbeing Days

Increased KiwiSaver contribution

HealthNow Card - $250/year

Job summary

Wise Group in Waikanae is seeking a Youth Worker for the OTIS Youth Team. This 32-hour-per-week overnight role runs Friday to Monday, 11:00pm–7:30am, supporting taiohi aged 12–25 in a warm, home-based environment.

You will work with clinical staff to create personalised plans, applying trauma-informed care and a strengths-based approach to help taiohi achieve goals and enhanced wellbeing.

Qualifications

• NZ Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4 or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with clinical staff to develop personalised support plans.
• Use strengths-based approach to support taiohi in resilience and goals.
• Assist taiohi to plan activities aligned to individual needs and aspirations.

Skills

Overnight shift

Trauma-informed care

De-escalation

Relationship building

Cultural awareness

Education

NZCHW Level 4

Job description

• Awake Overnight, Friday to Monday role + Based in Waikanae
• Extra Annual Leave + 2 Paid Wellbeing Days + more staff benefits
• Earn up to $32.95 per hour + work in a warm, home-based environment

Provide a safe, supportive environment where taiohi feel secure, cared for, and ready for the day ahead in this rewarding role.

Our spirit is ‘loving life’, and that’s what we do – we work with our taiohi to realise this aspiration.

We provide health and wellbeing services working with local community agencies to help taiohi aged 12-25 develop life skills and build strong connections, including their school, employer, whānau, and friends.

• Increased KiwiSaver contribution
• Fifth Week of Annual Leave (after 12 months employment)
• Paid Wellbeing Days (2 days a year)
• HealthNow Payment Card - $250 per year to support Health and Wellbeing for you and your whānau
• Earn up to $32.95 per hour (dependent on qualifications)

This is a 32-hour-per-week role working Friday to Monday, 11:00pm to 7:30am, as part of our OTIS Youth Team in Waikanae.

As a Youth Worker, you’ll bring experience supporting people with complex needs and/or mental health challenges. You’ll provide tailored support to one or two taiohi (young people), helping them build on their strengths, achieve their goals, and enhance their wellbeing.

Key responsibilities

• Collaborating with clinical service staff in developing personalised support plans
• Taking a strengths-based approach, holding hope, and encouraging taiohi to recognise their resilience and potential.
• Supporting taiohi to plan activities and programmes tailored to their individual needs, goals, and aspirations.

To thrive in this role, you’ll bring a caring, resilient approach and a genuine commitment to supporting taiohi with complex needs overnight.

We’re looking for someone who has

• A Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (NZCHW) or a recognised equivalent or be studying towards a recognised equivalent.
• Experience supporting young people, ideally in youth work, mental health, or social services (although this isn’t essential).
• An understanding of trauma-informed care and how to support people with complex needs.
• Strong relationship-building and de-escalation skills.
• Cultural awareness and a commitment to working respectfully with Māori and Pasifika whānau.
• Knowledge of and a demonstrable commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• A full and clean New Zealand driver’slicence
• A current New Zealand first aid certificate or be prepared to obtain one.

Closing Date | Rā Katinga: 9 November 2026. Please note, this advert may close early if suitable candidates have been found.

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 outside 7 years) in your application.

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