Full Time, Permanent, Auckland
- Permanent, Full Time Roles Available to start in 2025
- We need experienced Youth Workers with a passion for supporting and empowering rangatahi
- Based in Wiri, South Auckland
Mō mātou | About us
Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:
- We put Tamariki first
- We believe Aroha is vital
- We respect the Mana of people
- We are Tika and Pono
- We value Whakapapa
- We recognise that Oranga is a journey
We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
Our Youth Justice Residences provide 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 do this because every young person of Aotearoa deserves the chance to lead the best life they can, just like other young people their age.
Our Residence team understands that the causes of offending are complex, and that successfully dealing with young offenders, demands action beyond simple punitive measures.
Guiding positive behavioural change is often challenging and our residential youth workers 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
- Coaching rangatahi through our structured day and through all life necessities.
- Participating in activities with our young people by playing sports and taking part in gym activities.
- Establishing and building rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and assist with redirecting behaviour.
Experience as a Youth Worker is preferred. However a tertiary qualification and experience in working with tamariki and rangatahi in sport, health, and education would also be an advantage.
Our Residences run a 24/7 operation with staff working various shift times. The shifts are a rotating roster with a mixture of AM shift and PM shifts.
The shifts are;
- Korowai Manaaki: AM shift (6.30am-3.00pm) & PM shift (2.30pm-11.00pm)
- All shifts involve working weekends and public holidays
Our training program will commence in February 2025 for these positions and will be for 6 weeks Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Becoming a Youth Worker: https://youtu.be/2hxveZAKb30?si=1pGlgFllXeV89pK2
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring
- Experience and a passion for wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of rangatahi
- The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people
- Empathy, patience and resilience.
- Good communication skills with the ability to work with others and contribute to a supportive and inclusive team
- Empathy, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
- Willingness and ability to work across a roster that covers mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
- A good level of physical fitness that will allow you to safely support and interact with rangatahi
- Understanding and confidence in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori
In this role you need to have the right to work in New Zealand, either as a NZ citizen or permanent resident. You will also need to be able to meet the safety checking and police vetting requirements required under the Children's Act, please note that Clean Slate does not apply.
Our code of conduct requires our employees to remain free from the influences of drugs and alcohol whilst at work.
Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you
- Full training, supervision and career development opportunities.
- The ability to make a difference to the outcomes for our rangatahi (young people)
- The ability to make long lasting relationships within the community
As a shift worker, annual remuneration that starts between approximately $69,312 to 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)
We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.
To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply
Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address.
If you have any questions about role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz
If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.
Applications for this role will close on 15 December 2024.
