Residential Youth Worker

• Permanent opportunities - Induction date 13th July 2026
• We need role models with a passion for supporting and empowering rangatahi
• Attractive remuneration and benefits package

What is a Youth Justice Residence? It's a place where 13-17 year-olds accused of an offence stay to await court proceedings or serve a sentence. This means they are not free to leave. However, a residence is not a prison, and our Residential Youth Workers are not prison guards.

At all times we prioritise the safety and security of our rangatahi and staff on site, however, we are committed to ensuring that the time rangatahi spend in our residences will improve their prospects for the future. Our Residential Youth Workers are there to keep our rangatahi safe, but they're also mentors, role models and coaches.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Based in Rolleston, our residence team understands that the causes of offending are complex, and that successfully dealing with our rangatahi demands action beyond simple punitive measures.

Guiding positive behavioural change is often challenging and our residential youth workers have many responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring that a safe and secure environment is maintained for the benefit of the rangatahi, staff and the community
• Supporting rangatahi in their personal growth and rehabilitation with a focus on health, education, training and employment
• Working with rangatahi to help them build and strengthen relationships with their whānau and communities and encouraging them to act on referrals to services
• Coaching rangatahi through our structured day and through all life necessities.
• Participating in activities with our young people by playing sports and taking part in gym activities.
• Establishing and building rapport with rangatahi who have experienced trauma and assist with redirecting behaviour.

Our residences run a 24/7 operation with staff working various shift times. The shifts are a rotating roster with a mixture of AM, PM, nights and weekends.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

• Experience and a passion for wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of rangatahi
• The ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people
• Empathy, patience and resilience.
• Good communication skills with the ability to work with others and contribute to a supportive and inclusive team
• Empathy, patience and ability to see past what someone may be struggling with
• Willingness and ability to work across a roster that covers mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays
• A good level of physical fitness that will allow you to safely support and interact with rangatahi
• You must be able to present at work free from the influences of drugs and alcohol

In this role you need to have the right to work in New Zealand, either as a NZ citizen or permanent resident. You will also need to be able to meet the safety checking and police vetting requirements required under the Children's Act, please note that Clean Slate does not apply. You also must have a clean and clear drivers licence.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

• 4 weeks and three days of annual leave each year
• A generous 23% allowance paid on top of base remuneration for working as part of a rotating roster (shift work).
• Meals that are prepared by our commercial kitchens and provided on-site - our kaimahi are encouraged to sit with rangatahi and share a meal and meaningful conversations
• Regular training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow your skills and capabilities
• Access to counselling and support when you need it through our employee assistance programme which reflects our genuine commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our kaimahi

We offer a remuneration package that starts between approximately $57,760 and $65,334 (depending on your experience). On top of this, we also apply a 23% allowance to your base remuneration for working shifts/a roster pattern. The 23% allowance is applied once you have completed your initial induction and are placed onto a rotating roster that covers days, evenings and weekends. Base remuneration plus the 23% allowance works out to be between $64,766 and $78,400 (depending on your experience). Additionally, Oranga Tamariki has a remuneration framework that offers step-based annual increases based on your tenure.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply:

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter telling us why you are interested in the role.

If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address. If you have any questions about role, please contact

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.