Grounds Maintenance Instructor

About this role

 

'Kotahi anō te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi'  

‘There is only one purpose to our work:  the wellness and wellbeing of our people.

 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the men in our care and to contribute to their future, the future of their whānau, and the communities they will return to. In this role, you will be instrumental in helping individuals discover a new career path, talent, passion or confidence in their ability to learn.

You will be joining an amazing team of experienced instructors who, every day, show a passion for their trade, and pass on their skills and knowledge to help prisoners improve their chances of gaining employment post-release.

 

Ngā kawenga | About the role

Spring Hill Corrections Facility Offender Employment (OE) is looking for a grounds maintenance instructor to join our team. An instructor is a talented “people person” who can cope with change, is adaptable to dynamic work environments, has high moral standards and believes in the power of communication to make positive changes in a wide range of people's lives. You will be instrumental in providing prisoners with both an employment pathway and assisting them to gain the work habits, experience and skills sought by industry employers.

As a Grounds Maintenance Instructor your role is multi-layered. You will have custodial responsibilities, industry-based responsibilities (including health and safety) and training responsibilities.

A comprehensive introduction to corrections and extensive initial training are provided for the successful applicant. This will involve on-site training as well as residential training at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hutt, Wellington, to focus on the custodial elements of the position.

 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for grounds maintenance instructor who is adaptable and interested in a variety of work, because no two days will be the same. You will also need a passion for passing on your skills and knowledge in a way that inspires the men in our care to confidently pursue a satisfying career upon release. Therefore, we are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria:

• Ideally you will have experience, knowledge and qualifications in the landscaping and horticulture industry.
• Experience with plant and equipment, including preventative maintenance.
• A full NZ Driver Licence and First Aid Certificate (before job commencement) is required.
• A willingness to assist in all the various prison industries as required, is essential.
• Experience as an adult educator or hold an assessor's qualification (4098) is an advantage.
• Proactive, energetic team leader/player who inspires others to perform at their best.
• Can remain positive and resilient in a constantly changing environment.
• Exceptional people management and communication skill.
• Outstanding Health & Safety practice.

 

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The entry level salary for this role is $72,514 - $90,332. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

 

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 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).

 

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

 

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Thyrsday 14th August 2025

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact firstname.lastname@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.