Case Manager at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Canterbury (Waitaha)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Do you have knowledge and experience in case management, rehabilitation and reintegration related practices? We want to hear from you now!
• Contribute towards public safety while also helping those in our care make better decisions & positive change

Ngā kawenga | About the role

As Kaiwhakahaere Kēhi (Case Manager) for Ara Poutama Aotearoa, you will work with people in our care and their whanau to address criminogenic behaviours and reduce reoffending. Using principles of manaaki, kaitiaki, wairua, rangatira, and whanau, you will manage people in our care and also prepare reports for the Courts and New Zealand Parole Board.

You will contribute to public safety, viewing this through the lens of manaaki, positive relationships, and uplifting the wellbeing of the people in our care. By focusing on the wellbeing of the person who has come into our care, you will help reduce the chances of them returning to past behaviour better arming them to make better choices for a crime free future. Treating those in our care with the utmost mana and dignity is the foundation of everything we do.

Case managers lead the rehabilitation and reintegration of the people in our supervision, using a person-centric approach.  Some core areas of case management practice are:

• Considering those in our care's rehabilitation and reintegration within the context of their family, whānau, and pro social/community support
• Demonstrating motivational approaches with prisoners and their family, whānau, or key supports
• Demonstrating a multi-disciplinary approach to working with staff and external stakeholders
• Engaging with people in prison based on risk, need and responsivity principles
• Partnering with Māori leadership and expertise to support pathways for Māori

He kōrero mōu | About you 

Using a range of services and techniques, you will partner with external agencies and the whanau, family of those in our care to support their rehabilitation. Central to your success as a Case Manager is the ability to exercise sound professional judgement ensuring that person's needs are appropriately identified and most appropriate treatment and programmes are matched to meet these needs.

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Proven knowledge and experience in case management, rehabilitation and reintegration related practices or a related degree or be a recent graduate with a qualification in social services or related field or psychology
• The ability to operate safely and effectively within a correctional environment, demonstrating some awareness of safety procedures when working with offenders
• Strong written skills including the ability to prepare written reports for to meet legal standards
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• The ability to give, receive and take on feedback in a highly reflective environment
• Highly developed relationship management, effective at building and maintaining rapport
• An ability to motivate and support prisoners to make positive changes over the long-term
• Think critically and explore bias in thinking and decision making
• Knowledge and experience working with Māori and Pacific peoples, their families and communities
• A current and full clean New Zealand driver licence

Hōkai Rangi is our commitment and strategy to ensure public safety through the appropriate supervision of those in our care whilst also responding to the over representation of Māori within the corrections system. This strategy sets a new direction, putting the wellness and wellbeing of people at the centre of all our work. Our values further support this and for you to be a part of this vital strategy, you need to believe in this approach and commit to the approach. Your Cover Letter should outline how your approach to being a Kaiwhakahaere Kēhi will incorporate our values and the wellbeing of others as well as fit with Hōkai Rangi.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The salary for this position starts at $60,606 per annum. Once in the role we have 4 step competency framework where you are able to increase your salary over time up to $80,716 per annum.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu. 

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hōkai Rangi (https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/strategy). 

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values. 

It is an exciting time to join us and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau.  All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered. 

If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at careers@corrections.govt.nz.

Applications close on Sunday 26th March 2023.