Counsellor - Rimutaka Prison

About this role

Ngā kawenga | About the role

The primary focus of the counsellor's role is to collaborate with tane in our care to address both historical and current trauma. The key responsibilities of this position include assessing trauma needs, developing tailored treatment plans, actively involving tane in addressing their trauma-related requirements, making referrals to relevant groups and agencies when necessary, and providing support to prison staff in managing tane with trauma-related needs and behaviours.

He kōrero mōu | About you

In this role, you will play a vital part in the team dedicated to supporting tane in our care, focusing on assessing their trauma needs and actively engaging them in the treatment process. Your role extends to providing valuable assistance to other prison staff, leveraging your skills and experience to enhance their effectiveness in working with tane who have enduring effects of trauma. Embracing innovative approaches, you will contribute to the improvement of well-being and empowering tane to build brighter futures for themselves, and their wider whānau.

Successful applicants will need to hold relevant counselling qualifications and demonstrate a track record of working with people who have experienced trauma. Your proven ability to work effectively across cultures—especially with Māori—and build rapport in challenging situations, will be instrumental to your success in this impactful position.

Experience, qualifications, and registration in New Zealand are highly desirable. Preference will be given to candidates who have proven experience working within the New Zealand healthcare system, hold relevant New Zealand qualifications, and are currently registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies. This will ensure a smoother integration into our workforce and a deeper understanding of the local context and standards of care.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The full salary range is $68,546 - $88,648. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Health Services lead the delivery of patient-focused primary health care services to tangata within corrections facilities across Aotearoa. Hōkai Rangi, our over-arching strategic direction, places the focus on health at the heart of our business. Building our frameworks from a Mātauranga Māori basis is our focus to drive and support equity for Māori, which in turn will contribute to achieving our outcomes of reducing reoffending.

You can find out more about us here.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Applications Close 11pm Sunday, 25 May 2025.

Please apply and describe your motivation for joining the department in a cover letter, highlighting relevant skills and experience. Please include a tailored CV if you have one. Alignment to our Kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples that reflect and demonstrate our organisation values.

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

If you want to find out more about a career with us visit our careers page or email our team at careers@corrections.govt.nz.