Support Worker – Casual Contract in Hawkes Bay

About Community Connections

Community Connections | Te Hāpori Āwhina Tāngata is a community-oriented provider offering disability support services across much of New Zealand's North Island. Our mission is to create an inclusive society where disabled individuals are recognized, respected, and empowered to live according to their own choices. We are dedicated to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealand's Disability Strategy, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

We strongly encourage applications from diverse communities, particularly Māori, Pasifika, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with lived experience of disability or mental health challenges.

Role Overview

We are currently seeking compassionate and adaptable Support Workers to join our residential team on a casual contract basis in the Greater Hawkes Bay area. The role involves weekend shifts and overnight sleepovers, providing diverse opportunities to support individuals with various needs.

Support recipients enjoy everyday activities such as socializing over coffee, spending time outside, and confidently using technology, including Microsoft and Google Suite, to assist with daily tasks. You will support individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities by fostering a "do with, not for" philosophy, promoting independence, respecting personal routines, and nurturing trusting relationships.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate approaches their work with calmness, respect, and a strength-based, person-centered attitude. Experience supporting people with disabilities is essential, alongside a commitment to continuous learning. Understanding professional boundaries and privacy, combined with excellent communication skills (both verbal and non-verbal), will help you form trusting relationships within a collaborative team.

Flexibility and reliability are crucial, as is the ability to work autonomously and cooperatively.

Desirable Experience

• Expertise in positive behavior support and skill-building techniques
• Experience working with individuals who have complex communication needs
• Knowledge of intellectual disability
• Use of adaptive communication methods, both verbal and non-verbal, to establish connections

Essential Requirements

• Possession of a full New Zealand Driver’s Licence
• Legal entitlement to work in New Zealand
• Willingness to complete Police and Oranga Tamariki vetting processes
• Availability for weekend and overnight shifts

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly wage ranges from $24.85 to $29.68. Additional advantages include weekend pay rates, a mobile phone allowance, access to an Employee Assistance Program, and ongoing opportunities for training and professional growth.

Additional Information

Community Connections fosters a supportive, values-driven workplace, focused on making a genuine difference in people’s lives. This casual role offers varied experiences and the opportunity to positively impact multiple settings within the Bay of Plenty region.