Counsellor
Student Success Team
0.2 FTE Permanent (8 hours per week) + 0.4 FTE Fixed Term (Feb - Nov 2026)
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko wai mātou | About us as an organisation
At Te Kura Matatini ki Otago/Otago Polytechnic, a business division of Te Pūkenga, we are committed to attracting, developing and retaining kaimahi (staff) who are passionate, creative, future-focused and dedicated to help set the direction for quality vocational and applied learning to meet tomorrow’s needs.
We are guided by our values and we are proud to be Rainbow Tick certified. We aspire to create a working environment that is inclusive and meets the aspirations of mana whenua ensuring equity for Māori and increasing access for all.
Mō te tūraka mahi | About the role
As part of the Student Success Team, you would provide a variety of counselling interventions including a focus on brief interventions and/or seeking consultation with other health professionals as appropriate as well as promote awareness and education of counselling services to all ākonga (learners) and participate in the development and facilitation of educational programmes and workshops.
This role is a mix of clinical counselling and wellbeing support, with a focus on Māori and Pasifika ākonga. We are open to applications from both experienced counsellors with full registration.
The role is flexible, one person can take on the full 0.6 FTE, or it can be split between two people, depending on the skills and experience of applicants. Please indicate in your cover letter your preferred hours of work.
The permanent 0.2 FTE (8 hours per week) is focused on providing clinical counselling support for students.
Ko wai koe | About you
To be successful in this role, you will have:
• Membership to NZAC or appropriate/relevant professional body
• A relevant professional tertiary qualification at Bachelors level or above
• Three years or more counselling and mental health experience ideally within the tertiary sector or in a community service preferably with young adults
• Experience working with Māori and Pasifika clients, demonstrating cultural competency and an understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of these communities
• Experience in working with a range of brief interventions
• Experience in group design and facilitation
• A passion for learner health and wellbeing and working with young adults.
The successful applicant will uphold our organisation’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by continuously developing and upholding your understanding of our obligations and connection with Te Tiriti as an individual and as an organisation
Through recognition, empowerment and inclusion, you will give greater acknowledgement to the unmet needs of Māori, Pasifika and disabled people and their whanau.
You will have demonstrable health and safety best practices and enjoy being part of a team who support each other. You will easily be able to build and maintain relationships and communicate well via email, phone and face-to-face.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
For specific information please contact Vanya Thurston, 021 545 329 or vanya.thurston@op.ac.nz
For a position description or to apply please click on the link.
Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 6 January 2026
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
