Kaihapai Taiohi - Youth Pathways
(permanent position, 37.5 hours per week, based in Ashburton)
The Opportunity
Are you confident in cold calling employers and building relationships? We’re looking for a personable, independent, and front-footed individual to deliver our Youth Services - NEET (Not in Education, Employment and/or Training) service to engage and support eligible 16- and 17-year-olds (and some 15-year-olds) to achieve sustained education, training, work-based learning or employment outcomes.
The primary goals of the service are to contribute to improve well-being and long-term economic independence for taiohi living in Mid Canterbury. You’ll guide taiohi toward current employment opportunities, apprenticeships, and training, while simultaneously reaching out to local organisations and employers to create new opportunities based on the specific needs and aspirations of taiohi.
If you're proactive, a strong communicator, and passionate about helping taiohi succeed, we'd love to hear from you!
Ideal Person Specifications:- A relevant qualification e.g., social work, youth work, health, teaching or human services
- Demonstrates experience working with taiohi (and/or whanau) to achieve positive outcomes
- Knowledge of and confidence communicating with relevant community networks and employers
- Ability to be objective, personable, and hold space and empathy for those we work with, regardless of decisions they have made.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, in a variety of settings, i.e., whanau homes, meetings, and professional consults.
- Knowledge of the effects of trauma on social and emotional development and resilience
- A working knowledge of Child Protection and the Vulnerable Children Act (2014)
- Be hungry to make a difference in young people’s lives and bring about positive change
- Be self-motivated, resilient and be able to self-manage and deliver performance outcomes
- Be flexible, adaptable to change and be a good advocator on behalf of young people
- Model high quality, respectful, and professional relationship building
- Support taiohi and whanau to identify pathways, and empower them to navigate systems, opportunities, and connections.
- have a commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and apply tikanga in relevant work settings
- hold a full New Zealand driver licence
If you are looking for a full-on, challenging, yet rewarding position supporting the Y Central South Island to service the needs of taiohi in the Mid Canterbury District, we want to hear from you!
Email your CV and cover letter to: Jessica Thomas, Manager Youth and Community Development, jessica@ymcasc.org.nz. Applications close Monday 12th May 2025.A position description may be requested from the same email.
Applications will be reviewed as they come in and interviews may commence prior to the close date.
About The Central South Island
Evolving to meet community need since 1917 in South and Mid Canterbury and now North Otago, The Y provides a wide range of programmes and services across three core streams:- Education & Training
- Driving & Employment Pathways, Wellbeing & Youth Work
- Youth & Community Development
Check out our website (www.ymcasc.org.nz) to see what our mahi is all about.
The Y Central South Island is committed to child protection and the safeguarding of children and young people in our care, and it is our expectation that all staff will operate in a way that reflects this intent. Appointment to a role with the Y will be subject to a satisfactory Police and CYRAS Check.Of equal importance, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace are central to our mahi. Our bicultural plan guides our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.