Casual Residential Worker - Te Puna Wai

Casual Residential Youth Worker

Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence - Christchurch

Make a real difference in the lives of our rangatahi!

Are you passionate about supporting young people to thrive? Join our team at Te Puna Wai Youth Justice Residence as a Casual Residential Youth Worker and be part of a kaupapa that truly matters.

Our residence provides care and support for 13-17-year-olds who are either awaiting court proceedings or serving a sentence. While they are not free to leave, this is not a prison. We focus on creating a safe, secure, and nurturing environment where rangatahi can build skills, confidence, and hope for the future. As a Youth Worker, you'll play a vital role in keeping our tamariki safe, while also being a mentor, coach, and positive role model. You'll help guide them through daily routines, build trust, and support their personal growth.

At our Te Puna Wai residence, we have a school, sports field, visitors' suite, gym, and whare on site. We also have a small farm (complete with friendly farm animals from pigs, alpacas, goats, sheep, and a pony!) that offers our tamariki valuable life skills and experience.

Our Youth Workers use these facilities to help enrich the lives of our tamariki and set them up with the skills they will need to meaningfully contribute to their whānau and community.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

We welcome people from all walks of life. You might have experience in:

Youth work, coaching, mentoring, tutoring, or community support

Healthcare, psychology, education, sports, music, or the arts

What matters most is your ability to

Listen without judgment and build respectful relationships

Be physically active and engage safely with tamariki

Be reliable, consistent, and present at work free from the influence of drugs or alcohol

Pass Police vetting and a Vulnerable Children's Act check

Commit to a three-week, full-time paid induction (Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week).

As a casual staff member, you'll cover shifts across a 24/7 roster, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

26.00 per hour + 8% holiday pay

Paid induction and ongoing training

Opportunities for career development - many of our leaders started as Youth Workers!

A supportive team environment where your mahi makes a real impact

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

We'd love to hear about your experience, passions, and what draws you to youth work.

Apply online with your CV and cover letter. If you're already part of Oranga Tamariki, please apply via the internal career portal using your work email.

Questions? Email us at: Info\[email protected]

Oranga Tamariki is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the role requirements. Please take time to read our Code of Conduct - it outlines our expectations, including presenting at work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.