Careers
Safer Mid Canterbury provides a range of child, youth, adult and family community services across the Ashburton District. We are a non-profit organisation that has been operating as a charitable trust for more than 25 years, providing free and confidential services that focus on a healthier, stronger and safer community for all.
All positions will require staff who:
- are sensitive to, and accommodating of cultural and individual differences
- are able to maintain a high level of confidentiality
- have a commitment to, and understanding of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi)
- have a passion for, and commitment to providing non-judgemental services and supports to vulnerable people.
In return, we offer a family-friendly, professional work environment with the ability to make a real and significant difference in the lives of people in our district.
To apply for a position, please download an application form and return it to us with your CV and cover letter. Please follow all instructions on the application form.
All roles listed have a job description which you can also download. Please call us on 03 308 1395 if you require further information.
Click here for the application form [PDF]
Click here for the application form [Word]
Kaiāwhina Attendance/CACTUS Co-Coordinator
This position is made up of two distinct roles, that of School Attendance Worker (Kaiāwhina Attendance) and CACTUS Co-Coordinator. We have in the past combined the CACTUS role with other roles to create a full-time position. This has worked well as it provides variety within the position and the ability to work with a cross-section of people, from those that require quite a bit of support through to those engaging in enjoyable activities. It also allows us to offer a full-time position. Rather than create one job description, we have posted both here so you can see the two roles. The CACTUS role averages 8 hours per week and the Attendance role 29.5 hours, making up 37.5 hours per week. There is flexibility between the two roles and they will knit seamlessly and feel like one role with different aspects to it.
As part of the Government's effort to increase school attendance, we are now contracted by the Ministry of Education to provide a higher level of attendance services than under previous contacts. As such, we are looking for an additional Kaiāwhina Attendance (Attendance Worker) to join our four-person Attendance team, who will have the privilege of working directly with children and their families, supporting them to get the most out of their educational opportunities. We have combined this position with the role of CACTUS Co-Coordinator to create a full-time, 37.5 hour per week position. CACTUS (Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit & Support) is an after-school adventure-based programme. The role involves coordinating fun activities for young people along with overnight camps. We run three courses and three weekend camps a year, and one longer five-day camp in January.
Applicants should:
- Have well-developed verbal communication skills effective for working with young people and their families
- Have well-developed written communication
- Be able to work within, and have clear boundaries
- Be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality
- Be sensitive to, and accommodating of, cultural and individual differences
- Have the ability to develop effective relationships with schools and agencies
- Enjoy physical and outdoor activities
- Have a passion for supporting young people and a belief in the high value of young people being engaged in education and extracurricular activities.
Applicants would need to be available 5 days per week during school terms, starting by 8:30 each morning, with greater flexibility during school holidays. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real and significant difference to the lives of young people in our community.
Applications close Thursday the 23rd of January.
Click here for the Kaiāwhina Attendance job description [PDF]
Click here for the CACTUS Co-Coordinator job description [PDF]
Refugee Settlement Support Service Team Leader
In July of 2020, the Government increased the annual refugee quota, identifying Ashburton as one of five new settlement locations and awarding Safer Mid Canterbury the Settlement Services contract. Afghan former refugees began settling in Ashburton in 2021, and we now have a vibrant Afghan community in the district. Over this time, Safer Mid Canterbury has developed a comprehensive refugee service with a full team of highly skilled and dedicated staff.
Our current team leader is moving on to other challenges, so an exciting opportunity has become available for someone to lead this very important work in Ashburton.
We are looking for someone to continue to guide our service, overseeing our team as well as working directly with former refugees as they embark on a new life and settle into a new country and community.
Key elements of the role include: team leadership and supervision; inter-agency liaising and collaboration; project planning and delivery; project reporting; and direct support for former refugee families.
The ideal candidate will:
- Have relevant qualifications/skills/experience
- Have experience in leading/supervising others
- Be able to work effectively with stakeholders and groups
- Possess skills and attributes in the areas of community leadership, facilitation and project development/oversight
- Have knowledge of, and interest in, culturally diverse communities.
This is a permanent position of 32 hours per week, with some flexibility required around when the hours will be worked. In return, we offer a supportive, flexible and family-friendly work environment. Ideally, we would like the employee to live in or around the Ashburton District – as such, we would be happy to assist with moving expenses. If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you.
Applications close Thursday the 30th of January.
Click here for the Refugee Settlement Support Service Team Leader job description [PDF]
Refugee Volunteer Show of Interest Form
If you are interested in volunteering in some way for the Refugee Settlement Support team, please download the Show of Interest form and return it to Safer Mid Canterbury reception at 255 Moore Street, or email it to Kathy at kathy.harrington-watt@safer.org.nz.