Social Worker

Mo te tunga | About the role

The Social Worker role within the Youth Development Unit (YDU) is responsible for the provision of a full range of social work services specifically with youth aged 13-25.

Working with new course participants, you will support them through our six-week programme, including attending offsite and overnight field exercises sometimes, that may require you to be away for a few days at a time. Additionally you will provide plans that support the young people to transition once they complete the course.

Along with providing psycho-social and educational support to young people, you will complete screening assessments, provide assessment and brief interventions to young people with diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health needs and provide support with substance withdrawals, facilitating local mental health crisis team support as required.

This is a fixed term position from February to October 2026. Once you have undergone training and are up to speed, there is a requirement to be part of the on-call roster for which you will be compensated.

Please note: We will be interviewing for this role mid January 2026.

Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and Experience

Along with a strong background in social work including proven experience of working with a diverse range of youth, you will be confident in the following:

• Multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary service delivery.
• Providing advice and counsel.
• Delivering crisis intervention and providing advice to senior personnel/command/ managers.
• Able to build rapport with young people and deliver strengths based, person centred approaches.
• A strong foundation of working with Maori and Pacific peoples, their whanau and communities.
• A detailed understanding of the Code of Health and Disability services

Your proven counsel and group facilitation skills along with knowledge of drug/substance abuse and associated health issues, mental health and psychological issues and intervention will be key skills for this role. Therefore, this position requires a social worker with a minimum of five years post qualifying experience.

As a confident communicator with very strong interpersonal skills, you will be able to pro-actively build and maintain strong networks and relationships whilst working in a fast paced environment with competing demands. Providing professional guidance to Command and contributing to the wider YDU and NZDF community will be a key a part of this role.

In terms of qualifications, you'll need:

• A Tertiary Social Work Qualification.
• To be registered with the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board and hold a current social work competency Annual Practising Certificate.

Nou te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning - safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all - irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics - NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

Me pehea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Applications close on Wednesday 10 December 2025.

Use the links on this page where you'll be directed to the Defence Careers website.

Please Note:

• All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description and a Contact Us option for any queries or technical issues.
• Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.
• Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.

NZDF Employees/Members - please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.

NZDF Contractors - please apply via the Defence Careers website.

NZDF Reserves - please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.

Please Note:

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know:

Low Level Security Clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
• At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last five (5) years.
• You must have a five (5) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.

If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.