Kaiwhakamahereora | Counsellor

• Do you have an interest supporting diverse and young adults?
• Are you looking for a workplace that actively supports and encourages professional development?
• Have you got experience as a counsellor or mental health professional and are looking for your next challenge?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting an experienced Kaiwhakamahereora - Counsellor to join the team in Mauri Ora - Student Health and Counselling on a fixed term, part-time basis. This exciting opportunity is to be a part of our Counselling Team which provides short-term counselling or therapeutic support to university students.

The Student Counselling Service works in a holistic and collaborative manner with our medical and nursing team, and other Students Services including Pasifika Student Support, Awhina, Disability Services, Student Learning, Wellington International and Student Interest and Conflict Resolution.

We are a collegial team from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds. We cultivate regular professional and social connections to foster a supportive and warm atmosphere.

If you are curious, eager to work in a tight knit team and have a great sense of community you will fit right in

Ō pūmanawa - About you

Key requirements:

• Be a registered member of a relevant professional board or organisation in New Zealand and hold a current practicing certificate and current working rights in New Zealand.
• University Degree or Post graduate qualification in a mental health or counselling related discipline.
• Proven/demonstrated experience in psychology, psychotherapy, social work, or counselling, and supporting people from a range of backgrounds and cultures, particularly young adults.
• Experience in providing holistic mental health assessments and delivering a range of therapeutic approaches including solution focused, brief / time limited models of counselling.
• Experience in mental health crisis management and intervention.
• Proven understanding of issues relating to late adolescence and early adulthood.
• Experience and interest in working in a culturally safe approach with Māori and Pasifika students and applying cultural models of wellbeing.
• Proven ability to counsel using an approach that is non-judgemental, flexible, empathic, and sensitive to cultural, religious differences, gender, and sexual orientation.
• Knowledge of the support needs of university students and of equity issues.
• Commitment to application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in an educational context.
• Confidence working with Microsoft Suite applications.
• Ability to work in a flexible manner across different campus locations.

Ideally, you will have the following:

• Knowledge of The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
• Experience in university/tertiary education or multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven experience using practice management software preferably Indici.

This role requires safety checking through the police vetting system under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014.

Role Description: Click here to see further information, including salary details.

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University career's page.

Close Date for Vacancy: 21 December 2025.

Contact Details for Vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Emma O'Brien, Operations Administrator ).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.

We can only consider applicants who are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia or on a current working visa. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.