Community Support Worker - Family & Whanau

• Permanent, Full-time (40 hours per week)
• General working hours 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday (with the possibility for later hours and weekend work)
• Service is based from Penrose, covering the central Auckland catchment area
• Pay Equity: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour to start, with stepped Pay Equity Pay Rate increase up to $31.50 after 3 years service (Pay rate 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 health checks, 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 Tai Oranga (CSS Central)

Tai Oranga (Community Support Services Central) works alongside people experiencing mental health challenges to help them live well in their communities. We support people across Central Auckland, Waiheke Island, and West Auckland, partnering with tāngata whai ora, their whānau, and local health providers to build confidence, independence, and connection. We promote self-management and self-reliance for all, in areas such as accommodation, transport, employment, self-care, personal and interpersonal skills, enabling people to live independently in their community of choice.

Our Registered Health Professionals and Support Workers bring strong clinical and interpersonal skills, including assessment, planning, communication, and knowledge of mental health and medication. We use the Strengths Model as the foundation of our mahi — we recognise potential, build on what’s working, and celebrate progress every step of the way.

Role | Nga mahi 

We are seeking an energetic and vibrant Community Support Worker who is passionate about working with parents and youth and who has the experience required to work mainly within our Family and Whanau contract.

The role involves working with parents who are struggling with their mental health, as well as working with children of parents who have a mental health diagnosis. 

In this role, you will:

• Serve as co-facilitator for our Kids and Youth Groups
• Mentor rangatahi/youth one-on-one to support them to achieve their goals
• 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
• A passion and the experience required for working with whanau, specifically youth and parents
• Effective communication skills and a person-centred 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)

When applying please include | Kia Whakauru 

• An up-to-date CV
• A Cover Letter detailing
  • Why you’re interested in the role?
  • What skills, competencies and experience you bring to the role?
  • The experience and skills that you have that make you a great fit for working with youth and parents

“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.