Social Worker - Paeroa at Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, Waikato

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• We have a permanent full-time position available.
• This role is based at our Hauraki site in Paeroa, which serves as the gateway to the Coromandel.
• Annual remuneration for this position ranges between $81,206.00 and $97,557.00, depending on experience

In Hauraki, we're dedicated to fostering positive changes within our community, working closely with tamariki and whānau. We seek individuals with a deep passion for whānau wellbeing, along with the requisite knowledge and experience. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, we're committed to addressing them head-on. If you believe you possess the necessary qualities, we invite you to join our Paeroa team. Working in a rural setting offers numerous perks, including free parking and convenient access to Hamilton, Tauranga, and Auckland for weekend errands. Our strong community ties, complement the work of our social workers, making this a fulfilling workplace for all.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

In this dynamic position, you'll have the privilege of engaging directly with our community, working closely with whānau and collaborating with other social services to ensure a cohesive approach in meeting their needs. Our focus is on establishing sustainable support systems that prioritize the safety and wellbeing of tamariki within their whānau. If you're dedicated to fostering positive change within our community and believe you have what it takes, we want to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Listening to the voices of tamariki and rangatahi, supporting them and their whānau in making positive changes.
• Collaborating with various cultural groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Conducting initial safety checks and assessments on tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau.
• Facilitating hui and empowering whānau to enhance their capacity for caring for tamariki and rangatahi.
• Participating in the planning of interventions to keep tamariki and rangatahi within their whānau.
• Partnering with community stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies.
• Advocating on behalf of tamariki and rangatahi to ensure they receive the support and resources needed to thrive.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

The ideal candidate for this role is an experienced Social Worker with a background in Aotearoa's NGO sector or previous experience with Oranga Tamariki. Key requirements include full or Provisionally registration with New Zealand's Social Work Registration Board, a recognized social work qualification, a commitment to strength-based practice, a valid full driver's license, excellent communication skills, resilience, problem-solving abilities, flexibility, proficiency in PC and Microsoft Office Suite, and a genuine dedication to working alongside whānau. Soft skills such as emotional empathy, teamwork, leadership, and an understanding of cross-cultural practices, particularly tikanga Māori and Pacific peoples' culture, are also essential.

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

Our vision is to ensure 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.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer an impartial remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure - Our staff benefits also include:

KiwiSaver - If you are a permanent employee, we will match your KiwiSaver contributions up to 3% of your salary.

EAP - A confidential counselling service is available to employees and caregivers.

Vision Care - We offer permanent employees a subsidy on the costs of eye tests, glasses and contact lenses.

Southern Cross Health Insurance - As a permanent employee, you are eligible to reduced premiums.

Accident and illness Insurance - Oranga Tamariki employees are automatically insured for death or permanent disablement as a result of an accident. You pay nothing and Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) payments are not affected.

Flexible working arrangements - At Oranga Tamariki we want to empower our people to be their best at both work and home, and ultimately better meet the needs of our tamariki. That is why we are embracing flexible working by default.

Our approach is that all roles are treated as flexible unless there is a good business reason not to be and working flexibly does not undermine career progression or opportunities.

Leadership development: We've developed a range of leadership development opportunities for Oranga Tamariki leaders. These opportunities include 9-month programmes, as well as workshops and training sessions.

Culture of recognition - we like to celebrate our successes and have public recognition forums across the organisation. We also have our te tohu huataki awards annually to celebrate our people who have done exceptional work and championed our values.

Parental Leave - Oranga Tamariki are very supportive of Parental Leave offering annual leave accrual at current actual salary rather than the past 12-month average. We also support Parents returning to the workforce, upon returning from Parental Leave, eligible current employees receive ex gratia incentive payments.

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're interested in any of our vacancies, please familiarize yourself with our code of conduct, which expects our kaimahi to maintain a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

If you have any questions about role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz

Applications close 16th July 2025!

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.