Youth Practitioner
An exciting opportunity has become available for a full-time permanent Youth Practitioner to join Odyssey's Youth Justice Programme, Whakatakapokai.
Odyssey has the privilege of working collaboratively with Youth Justice to deliver an alcohol and other drug programme that focuses on education and therapeutic interventions for young people/ rangatahi.
The programme aims to create hopeful and safe spaces for young rangatahi to identify opportunities to reflect. As a Youth Practitioner, you will be a motivator for positive change and will support the rangatahi placed within the Whakatakapokai Youth Justice facility, to identify and achieve their own goals.
You will help deliver our alcohol and other drug programme through both one-on-one and group mahi, incorporating therapeutic practices alongside kaupapa Māori approaches where appropriate. You will also provide ongoing aftercare support for rangatahi and their whānau, working in partnership with the wider Odyssey team and relevant health and community professionals.
This role is ideal for someone who is at the start of their career and has a passion for working with young people and an interest in youth development and addictions issue. You will also have:
- A relevant tertiary (level 7) qualification e.g. in Alcohol and Drug counselling, Social Work, Youth Work or other social service field
- Up to 1 years’ relevant experience of working within a social service, youth justice, addictions and/or mental health care setting
- The ability to practice within a specific treatment model
- DAPAANZ, social work or other registration with a professional body under the HPCA Act (or be willing to work towards registration)
- Excellent communication and motivational enhancement skills
- The ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Experience working with behaviour change
- Knowledge of the cultural practices and customs of Māori and Pacific peoples and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- A full, clean driver’s licence
In return, we offer:
- A salary between $69,076 and $79,393 depending on registration and experience.
- A $2000 annual location allowance
- Allocated pool car to use for transport to and from work
- 22 days annual leave and 5 days paid study leave
- Access to on-going professional development opportunities and support through regular clinical supervision sessions
- A lively team of youth practitioners with great passion for engaging with young people on their level and supporting them to uncover their potential
More about us:
Odyssey has supported thousands of New Zealanders whose lives are affected by alcohol, drug or other addiction challenges. We wholeheartedly believe that everyone living in New Zealand should have the opportunity to live life to the fullest, to feel hopeful about their future and to have meaningful relationships with friends and whānau.
To apply, please send us your CV and a cover letter, and complete the additional information questionnaire online. For all enquiries, please contact Michelle in the people and capabilities team on 021 578262.
Closing date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Odyssey is an equal opportunity employer and a smoke free organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We particularly encourage applications from Māori and pacific peoples.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
