Permanent Youth Worker, Te Whiki and Te Awe Community Homes at Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

We have the opportunity for a full-time Youth Worker to join the team, supporting our supervised homes in Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt!

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. We are committed to ensuring that 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.

Our Residential Youth Workers have an important role to play. They provide care and support to the young people in our care and encourage and motivate them to make positive choices. This is a real opportunity to positively influence young people, help them grow and successfully transition back into the community.

The operating model for our community based homes are on a journey for tamariki and what they will feel, think and experience in each part of their engagement with the whare, taking a Te Ao Māori approach.

This is not a 9 to 5 job, our young people require wrap around support from us which is why our Residential Youth Workers do rostered shifts as the facility provides 24-hours, 7-days per week coverage (including weekends and public holidays).

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Our Residential Youth Workers have an important role to play. Based in our supervised homes in Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, they provide care and support to the young people in our care and encourage and motivate them to make positive choices. This is a opportunity to positively influence young people by working alongside tamariki and rangatahi. 

Typical duties of the role could include: coaching rangatahi through our structured programmes, participating in activities with our young people through playing sports or taking part in gym activities as well as supporting our rangatahi with their studies, teaching them life skills like cooking, art and music.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

• A full, clean, valid driver's licence is essential for this role and a willingness to drive Ministry vehicles
• Meet 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, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
• A tertiary education within psychology, social sciences, social work, sports, music, arts or teaching would be an advantage
• Flexibility to work different shifts - mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
• Experience working with rangatahi and tamariki
• Physically able to keep up with 10 teenagers
• Sound judgement with the ability to manage risk and make tough decisions
• Life experience and understanding of what rangatahi may be going through
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt to your audience
• Understanding and confidence in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori would be a definite advantage

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer a remuneration package that starts between approximately $69,312 and $78,400 (depending on your experience) which includes allowances for working shifts. Oranga Tamariki has a remuneration framework gives pay increases based on tenure. 

We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/ 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Apply online with your CV and answers to our application questions in lieu of a cover letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you register or login using your work email address. For reporting and transparency, it is important that all applications are submitted through our careers site, please do not email through applications and/or CVs. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Info_recruit@ot.govt.nz 

Applications Close midnight 18 January 2026! Applications will be reviewed and successful candidates may be invited to an interview prior to this advert closing. 

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.