Programme Facilitator - Special Treatment Unit - Rimutaka Prison
Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Experienced Programme Facilitator or Group Therapist
Te Whare Manaakitanga Special Treatment Unit, Rimutaka Prison, Wellington
About this role
- Become a part of a world-leading treatment unit for men with serious violent offending, where you can develop and share your expertise as a treatment provider
- Make a real difference in the lives of clients, their whānau and the community
Mō te tūnga | About the role
Te Whare Manaakitanga Special Treatment Unit (TWM) is a dedicated 30-bed therapeutic community at Rimutaka Prison, and is one of four locations in New Zealand where the Special Treatment Unit Violent Offending programme (STU:VO) is delivered. The STU:VO has been recognised as the Department of Corrections most effective treatment programme.
As a programme facilitator at TWM you will be required to develop meaningful therapeutic alliances with men who have been entrenched in the criminal/gang world and often had few safe relationships in their lives. You will work closely with colleagues to maintain an environment that allows these men to let down their defences so real change can occur.
Your annual workload will involve recruiting, assessing and developing individualised treatment plans for 10 men. You will then co-facilitate an eight-month cognitive-behavioural group treatment programme with these men, after which you will complete specialist measures to capture their treatment progress. Throughout this time, you will have the ability to design and deliver complementary individual sessions as required, and to take an active role in the running of the therapeutic community. It is noted that, due to the nature of this role, staff are required to work full time on-site (e.g. options for working remotely are limited).
Likewise, due to the intensive nature of our work, it is essential that all staff interested in working at TWM have strong professional boundaries and understand the importance of proactively navigating transference issues to keep our clients and staff safe. All staff will be provided with weekly supervision from psychologists who are experienced in group work and will have the opportunity to participate in specialist training. All staff will also get to benefit from the expertise of our two full time Kaupapa Māori Practitioners who guide cultural practises in our whare.
If you would like to learn more about our work, please see the attached ‘welcome booklet' co-produced by staff and clients at our whare. To view this document and the job description, click 'apply' and you will be taken through to our careers site, where you have access.
He kōrero mōu | About you
Join TWM and work alongside a dedicated team to make a genuine impact. We are seeking an experienced Ara Poutama Programme Facilitator or a qualified counsellor who is experienced in the delivery of group therapy.
In this role, you will navigate complex environments, collaborate closely with custodial staff, and contribute directly to positive transformations. Your resilience and creativity will be key as you balance multiple perspectives and engage in meaningful work. This is a chance to be proactive and reflective, combining your expertise with the satisfaction of making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
You will need a
legal right to work in New Zealand, without restriction, for a minimum of 12 months.
Utu ā-tau | Salary
The salary range for this position is $69,120 to $87,701. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.
Ko wai mātou | About us
Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu.
As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy - Hōkai Rangi (https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/strategy).
Tono ināianei | Apply Now
To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success - we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values.
If you are ready for a transformative opportunity, we invite you to consider joining our team at Te Whare Manaakitanga. If you would like to discuss this position further, please contact Nicky Perkins, Manager Psychological Service at nicola.perkins@corrections.govt.nz
Applications close on Monday 21st April, 2025
It is an exciting time to join us and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered.