Support Worker - Casual Contract in Rotorua

About Community Connections

Community Connections is a values-driven disability support organization active throughout New Zealand's North Island. Our mission centers on fostering a fully inclusive society where disabled individuals are respected, supported, and empowered to live independent lives within their chosen communities. We champion equality, adhering to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the New Zealand Disability Strategy. We warmly welcome applications from individuals with lived disability or mental health experience and from Māori, Pasifika, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Role Overview

We invite compassionate and flexible Support Workers to join our Rotorua supported independent living and residential teams on a casual contract basis. Responsibilities include weekend and overnight shifts, enabling diverse experiences and meaningful impact across multiple service locations. Your role involves assisting individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities by employing a "do with, not for" philosophy to encourage independence, maintain daily routines, and cultivate trusting relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply person-centered support promoting independence and confidence among service users.
• Respect and uphold individuals' daily routines and preferences.
• Build strong, trusting relationships focusing on growth and community engagement.
• Work across supported independent living and residential services, including night shifts and weekends.
• Adapt to varying work demands with flexibility and readiness to accept shifts on short notice.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate brings calm, respectful, and strengths-based practices along with excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. They will possess either experience or strong interest in supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health concerns and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to personal development. Reliability, teamwork, and a strong understanding of professional boundaries and privacy are essential.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of positive behavior support and skill-building techniques.
• Experience working with individuals who have complex communication needs.
• Understanding of intellectual disability and adaptive communication tools.

Essential Requirements

• Valid full New Zealand driver's license.
• Legal entitlement to work in New Zealand.
• Willingness to undergo Police and Oranga Tamariki background checks.
• Availability for weekday, weekend, and overnight shifts for residential support.
• Availability between 8:00 AM and 6:30 PM for supported independent living services.

Benefits

• Competitive weekend pay rates.
• Provision of a mobile phone allowance.
• Access to employee assistance programs.
• Opportunities for ongoing training and professional growth.

Additional Information

This casual position does not guarantee fixed hours; shifts are allocated based on business needs such as covering for leave, training, or fluctuating service demands within the Taupo and Rotorua regions.