Casual Residential Youth Worker
- Make a tangible difference in the lives of our youth.
- Join a strong, supportive and experienced team.
- Meals provided on shift.
- Training and development opportunities, with ongoing support and supervision.
We currently have an opportunity for Casual Residential Youth Workers to join our Puketai Care and Protection Residence in Dunedin. This role provides a real opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of Aotearoa's tamariki and rangatahi.
Mō mātou | About us:
Our tamariki and rangatahi deserve to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau. At Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, we're on a journey to ensure that it happens. We are a leading social work practice that is child-centred, trauma-informed, and effective for all cultures. We are a Ministry with a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do and say.
Mō te tūnga | About the role:
We are looking for experienced, positive role models to work with our young people, helping them turn their lives around. To help them achieve this, our Residential Youth Workers, as part of a team, provide daily care and support. They get involved assisting our young people to re-engage with school/vocation, attending appointments, having visits with their family, connecting with peers, and managing themselves within the home. We work to keep our rangatahi connected to the positive influences in their lives - mentors, whānau, work and community-based programmes.
As a Casual Residential Worker, you will be required to cover the shifts of our Residential Youth Workers. This is not a 9 to 5 job - our rangatahi require wrap around support from us which is why our Residential Youth Workers do rostered shifts as we provide 24-hour, 7-days per week care (including weekends and public holidays).
Typical duties of the role can involve:
- Coaching rangatahi through our structured day and through all life necessities
- Participating in sports, art, and therapeutic activities with our rangatahi
- Supporting our rangatahi by helping them with their studies, teaching them life skills such as cooking, music and cultural programmes
- Mentoring our rangatahi to make positive life choices
- Establishing rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and assist with redirecting behaviour
Our team is dedicated to ensuring the time rangatahi spend at Puketai is transformative, meeting their needs and improving their future prospects. This role offers you the chance to be actively involved in the daily operations of the residence, working directly with rangatahi to understand their unique needs and help them succeed.
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:
- High quality skills to work with rangatahi who may have behavioural issues
- Resilience, empathy and sympathy
- Studies or qualifications in psychology, social sciences, social work, education (not required but are beneficial)
- Previous experience working with youth is beneficial
- Knowledge or high motivation to learn Tikanga and Te Reo Māori
- Ability to operate within a reflective practice environment
- Available to work a roster that covers mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays
- An appropriate level of physical health & fitness to interact with rangatahi
- Right to work in New Zealand
- Full, clean New Zealand driver's license
- Meet the safety checking and police vetting requirements required under the Children's Act
How to Apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Apply online with your CV and cover letter. Please be sure to login with your Oranga Tamariki employee profile using your work email address. If you have any questions about the role, please contact info_recruit@ot.govt.nz
Applications Close: 12th February 2024
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.
Oranga Tamariki is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also support flexible working arrangements.
