Principal Case Manager at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Be a key point of contact for Case Management with internal and external agencies and providers, including Probation.
• Play a critical role in implementing our Hōkai Rangi Strategy
• Join a dedicated and supportive team managing the well-being, health & safety of the people in our care

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Principal Case Manager is a key role within the Department of Corrections and is accountable for providing effective leadership and operational management of Case Managers who work alongside people in custody to reduce re-offending and keep our community safe. 

Through coaching, mentoring and performance support, you will oversee the professional delivery of the case management of all people in our care, ensuring clear and comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration pathways are in place from the time they enter prison until their release. 

You will enjoy working in a culture of continuous improvement and will be committed to working collaboratively with colleagues across the Department to ensure opportunities to reduce re-offending are maximised. 

Mōu | About you

A leader here, is future focused and adaptable to our ever-changing environment. If you possess a resilient and diverse nature, and are inclusive in your thinking and communication, we want to hear from you.

We are looking for a talented role model, who can demonstrate the ability to lead and empower others, and to make positive changes in people's lives by displaying our core values. Ideally you will have proven leadership experience along with the ability to help strengthen our relationships with our Community partners to ensure the smooth transitions from prison to the community.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Knowledge and experience of case management and/or Community Corrections, including practice leadership
• Proven experience in managing resources and leading successful teams
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills
• The ability to motivate, encourage, support and mentor others
• The vision to develop and improve best practice
• Knowledge and experience working with Māori and Pacific Peoples – their whānau, fono and communities
• Leadership / Management experience

Ngā painga | The benefits

The salary range is $112,899 - $129,094 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 22nd February 2026

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact LNRRecruitmentSM@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.