Permanent Residential Youth Worker Kaahui Whetuu

About the Company At Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, have their voices heard, and be surrounded by loving whānau. We are dedicated to ensuring that these values are upheld for all tamariki and rangatahi. As a leading social work practice, we focus on child-centered, trauma-informed care that is respectful of all cultures. Our commitment is to place tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of everything we do. About the Role We are currently seeking Residential Youth Workers to join our team at Kaahui Whetuu in South Auckland. In this vital role, you will provide care and support to young people in our facility, encouraging them to make positive choices and helping to facilitate their growth and successful transition back into the community. This is a permanent position that involves working rostered shifts, as our facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays. Key responsibilities include: - Coaching rangatahi through a structured daily routine and addressing essential life skills - Participating in activities such as sports and other recreational pursuits - Supporting young people with their studies and teaching life skills, including cooking, arts, music, and cultural programs - Building rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and assisting in redirecting their behavior Requirements To be successful in this role, you will need: - A full, clean, valid driver's license, with the ability to drive a manual vehicle being highly desirable - Compliance with the Children's Act safety checking and our vetting requirements - New Zealand citizenship or residency - Resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach with a positive outlook - Empathy and patience, as well as the ability to understand what young people may be struggling with - A tertiary education in psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts, or teaching is advantageous - Flexibility to work various shifts, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays - Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki - Sound judgment and the capacity to manage risk and make difficult decisions - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt your approach to different audiences - Understanding and confidence in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori would be a definite asset Benefits At Oranga Tamariki, we offer a competitive remuneration package that includes annual progression based on experience. The starting salary for this role ranges from $62,366 to $76,000, depending on experience, and includes penal rates. We pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and supportive team environment, with flexible work options that prioritize employee wellbeing. We provide significant training and professional development opportunities to help you thrive in your role. Our commitment to diversity ensures that we work in an inclusive and respectful manner. This is your chance to apply your skills and experience to enhance the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi. For more information about the benefits of working with us, please visit our careers page. How to Apply To apply, please submit your CV and Cover Letter online. If you are already an employee at Oranga Tamariki, ensure you log in using your work email address. For transparency and reporting purposes, it is essential that all applications are submitted through our careers site. Please refrain from emailing applications or CVs. If you have any questions about the role, feel free to reach out to Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz. Applications close on 10th August 2025. If you are interested in our vacancies, please familiarize yourself with our code of conduct, which outlines our expectations for staff, including the requirement to present for work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.