Counsellor - Otago Corrections Facility

Nga kawenga | About the role

The key responsibilities of this position include assessing trauma needs, developing tailored treatment plans, actively involving people in our care in addressing their trauma-related requirements, making referrals to relevant groups and agencies when necessary, and providing support to prison staff in managing women with trauma-related needs and behaviours.

He korero mou | About you

In this role, you will play a vital part in the team dedicated to supporting people in our care, focusing on assessing their trauma needs and actively engaging them in the treatment process. Your role extends to providing valuable assistance to other prison staff, leveraging your skills and experience to enhance their effectiveness in working with women grappling with the enduring effects of trauma. Embracing innovative approaches, you will contribute to the improvement of well-being, empowerment of people in our care and building brighter futures for themselves, their children, and their wider whanau/families.

Successful applicants will need to hold relevant counselling qualifications and demonstrate a track record of working with women who have experienced trauma. Your enjoyment of working with people, coupled with a proven ability to work effectively across cultures, especially for Maori women, and build rapport in challenging situations, will be instrumental to your success in this impactful position.

Experience, qualifications, and registration in New Zealand are highly desirable. Preference will be given to candidates who have proven experience working within the New Zealand healthcare system, hold relevant New Zealand qualifications, and are currently registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies. This will ensure a smoother integration into our workforce and a deeper understanding of the local context and standards of care.

Nga painga | The benefits

The salary range is $70,956 - $91,307. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Ko wai matou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections) Pae Ora leads the delivery of patient-focused primary health and mental health care services to tangata within corrections facilities across Aotearoa.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Maori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

You can find out more about us here.

Applications Close 11pm Thursday, 30 July 2026.

To apply and view the position description, click the application link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV/Resume and Cover Letter describing your motivation for joining our department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

If you want to find out more about a career with us visit our careers page or email quentin.campbell@corrections.govt.nz.