Youth Practitioner

An exciting full time permanent position has become available in Odyssey's Youth Justice Programme within Korowai Manaaki!

We have the privilege of working collaboratively with Youth Justice delivering an alcohol and other drug programme focussing on education and other interventions.

This programme focuses on creating hopeful and safe spaces for young people to identify opportunities to reflect. You will be a motivator for positive change and will support young people to identify their own goals for being involved in the programme.

Based in Manukau, you will be supporting young people who are currently placed within a Youth Justice facility. You will co-facilitate groups and deliver a manualised drug and alcohol education programme. You will also provide individual clinical assessments and interventions in consultation with other Odyssey Youth staff.

The ideal applicant will have:

• A degree in Alcohol and Drug counselling, Social Work, Youth Work, or other social service field
• Registration with DAPAANZ as an alcohol and other drug practitioner, or the ability to become registered in a reasonable timeframe
• The ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• The ability to practice within a specific treatment model
• A passion for working with young people and their families
• Knowledge or experience of working within a Youth Justice environment
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development and of addiction issues
• Excellent engagement, communication and motivational enhancement skills
• Experience working with behaviour change
• Commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi

In return we offer:

• $67,225 – $77,272 per annum (depending on your relevant qualifications / registration, plus a $2000 location allowance for working within a justice environment
• 22 days annual leave and 5 days paid study leave per annum
• An allocated pool car for transport to and from work
• Professional and career development opportunities
• A dynamic and supportive team who are passionate about what they do

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 Nicholson on 021 578262.

Closing date: 30 March 2025

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 Pasifika candidates.