Community Support Worker

• Permanent Full-time role (40 hours per week)
• Working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 to 5:00pm (but possibility for later hours and weekend work)
• Based out of our hub in Papakura, but the work happens across the Papakura and Franklin areas
• Pay Equity Pay Rate: starting rate is $25.00 - $30.00 per hour depending on qualification, with stepped increases up to $31.50 per hour depending on length of service (Pay level is determined by qualification and equivalence to the New Zealand Certificate of Health and Wellbeing L4)

Ember values our people – they’re our secret sauce. We’re committed to doing our best for our kaimahi and recognise their irreplaceable skills and experience. To support this, we offer a higher hourly rate above the current Pay Equity Settlement requirement.

Ember Korowai Takitini | Nga Matapono

Ember Korowai Takitini blends professional expertise and lived experience to offer a range of services and supports for anyone with mental health, addiction, or intellectual disability needs.

At Ember we support people to live the lives they choose, and we challenge the systems that hold them back.

We desire a society that better understands and responds to mental distress, addiction, and intellectual disability

Ember offers:

• Additional leave, including recreation days and study leave.
• A comprehensive Health & Wellbeing programme, including wellbeing cards loaded with money to spend on your health needs, flu vaccinations, and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and more.
• Training opportunities for upskilling, personal & professional development, and career progression.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day in a values-led organisation.

The Service | Ko Te Whare O CSS South

Mahia i runga i te rangimārie me te ngākau māhaki (With a peaceful mind and respectful heart, we will always get the best results).

Community Support Services South (CSS) is a specialist service within Ember that engages and supports people who face challenges with their mental wellbeing. We aim to empower everyone to actively participate in their chosen community and reach their full potential, and we do this by role modelling positive behaviours throughout their journey to wellbeing.

CSS South works directly with individuals while actively partnering with their family/whānau, Clinical Partners, and/or GP services. Our catchment area aligns with our Te Whatu Ora Clinical Partners—Rapua te Ao Waiora and Nga Raukohekohe (serving the Papakura and Franklin areas).

The service supports people who are currently or recently engaged with Clinical Partners and are struggling to live well in their community or achieve their goals. We are fully committed to the Strengths Model and Te Whare Tapa Whā.

Role | Nga mahi

We are seeking a Community Support Worker to join our dynamic and compassionate team. In this role, you will walk alongside tāngata whaiora as they build independence, confidence, and connection within their communities. You will:

• Support individuals with a mental health diagnosis to live, engage, and thrive in the community of their choice
• Provide practical and emotional support using recovery-focused and strengths-based approaches
• Support daily living activities, wellbeing planning, and community participation.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with individuals, whānau, and other service providers.
  
• Work collaboratively with clinical teams and community agencies to ensure a wraparound service for those we support

 You will have | Nga Pukenga

• A New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4), or equivalent
• A current Full New Zealand Driver’s license (required)
• A valid/current work visa, residency, or NZ citizenship (required)
• Experience working in the area of mental health and/or addictions with a client-centered, recovery-focused approach
• Knowledge of mental health rehabilitation and recovery approaches; experience working with co-occurring addictions, dual-diagnoses, and/or cognitive difficulties; and knowledge of Māori health approaches (strongly preferred)
• A passion for walking along side those in need, supporting on-going goals on the pathway to recovery (required)

Ready to make a difference?

If this sounds like you, apply now with your CV and cover letter telling us why you’re the right fit for this role.

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? Maku e ki atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata”

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Ember is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all. We particularly welcome applications from our Māori, Pacific and Rainbow communities.

We will interview candidates as applications come through rather than waiting until the advertisement closes. The vacancy may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.