Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children Looking for Residential Youth Worker at Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Full Time

• Permanent, Full Time Roles Available
• We need role models with a passion for supporting and empowering rangatahi
• Attractive remuneration and benefits package

Are you looking for a rewarding career working with youth? We are looking for empathetic, resilient and honest people interested in applying their skills and experience to supporting the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Maioha o Parekarangi Youth Justice Residence, just outside Rotorua, provides a safe, secure and supportive environment where rangatahi (young people) who have offended can make changes and get their lives back on track. In addition to maintaining secure facilities, we aim to help rehabilitate young offenders.

We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. We provide 24/7 support and care for up to rangatahi aged 13 to 18 years old who are involved in the Youth Justice system.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Residential Youth Workers provide rangatahi with the confidence and skills to become positive contributors to their whānau and communities. They understand that the causes of offending are complex, and that successfully dealing with young offenders demands action beyond simple punitive measures.

Guiding behavioural change is a massive task and means our kaimahi have many responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring that a safe and secure environment is maintained for the benefit of the rangatahi, staff and the community
• Supporting young offenders in their personal growth and rehabilitation with a focus on health, education, training and employment
• Working with rangatahi to help them build and strengthen relationships with their whānau and communities and encouraging them to act on referrals to services

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

We value our kaimahi and the wide range of skills and experiences they have. We want to hear from you if you have:

• The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people whether it be through your experience in customer service, coaching, engaging in your community or experience working with rangatahi in positive and proactive ways
• Studied psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, arts or teaching and you want to bring those learnings to life in meaningful way by applying your skills to rangatahi in need of your help every day. Life learnings are equally important and we value the life experience of our staff bring to this practical and challenging role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work with others and contribute to a supportive and inclusive team.
• Knowledge of Tikanga and Te Reo which is an advantage – Oranga Tamariki is committed to developing our kaimahi to develop this important capability.
• Willingness and ability to work across a roster that covers mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
• An appropriate level of physical fitness that will allow you to safely support and interact with rangatahi

In this role you need to have the right to work in New Zealand, either as a NZ citizen or permanent resident, or by holding a work visa. You also need to have a full, clean New Zealand driver’s license as you will be required to drive as part of your job. You will also need to be able to meet the safety checking and police vetting requirements required under the Children’s Act.

Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you

If you join our team and work as part of our team working shifts in our residence you will receive a package of remuneration and benefits that includes:

• As a shift worker, annual remuneration that starts between approximately $64,766 and $78,400 (depending on your experience) which includes allowances for working shifts. Oranga Tamariki has a remuneration framework gives pay increases based on tenure (time in the job)
• 4 weeks and three days of annual leave each year
• Meals that are prepared by our commercial kitchens and provided on-site – our kaimahi are encouraged to sit with rangatahi and share a meal and meaningful conversations
• Transport assistance when you need to work shifts outside of times when public transport is available (up to $8.19 per shift depending on the distance travelled)
• Regular training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow your skills and capabilities
• Access to counselling and support when you need it through our employee assistance programme which reflects our genuine commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our kaimahi

Applications close: 10 December 2023 at 11:55pm