We believe everyone should have the opportunity to actively contribute to their community and thrive. Our team of 900 stretches from Taupō to Whangārei, providing access to critical health and social services across Aotearoa.
We’re proud of our core services — Enliven, Family Works, Lifeline and Shine — and everything we do is guided by our purpose of helping people have A Better Life.
For more than half a century, Lifeline Aotearoa has been there helping New Zealanders in crisis or distress. Lifeline provides a 24/7 nationwide helpline and text-line counselling service to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of our callers and communities.
As a Lifeline Counsellor, you’ll be part of a dedicated team providing professional counselling and emotional support to people across Aotearoa.
Working across our phone and text services, you’ll support people experiencing a wide range of challenges — from distress, anxiety and loneliness to relationship difficulties and moments of crisis.
You’ll use your counselling skills to build rapport quickly, listen without judgement, understand what someone needs and provide support that is safe, empowering and effective.
No two conversations are the same, and sometimes a few minutes of genuine connection can make a bigger difference than you realise.
And while the work can be serious, we don’t believe you need to wear a suit to make a difference — comfortable workwear (yes, even tracksuit pants!) is welcome.
This is a rewarding role where every interaction has the potential to make a real difference.
What’s in it for you?
· Flexibility to work 32 or 40 hours per week across rostered shifts, including evenings and weekends.
· Work across a fortnightly roster covering:
7.00am – 3.30pm
3.30pm – 12.00am
· Be part of a supportive and purpose-driven team
· Make a genuine difference to people across Aotearoa
You’ll need to be available to work both shift patterns, including one weekend per fortnight.
We’re looking for someone who brings:
· A relevant Social Services qualification, such as counselling, social work or nursing, and full registration with the relevant registration board.
· Experience providing counselling or therapeutic support.
· Strong communication and active listening skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly over the phone and through text.
· The ability to remain calm, compassionate and professional when supporting people experiencing significant distress.
· A genuine passion for helping people and supporting them in ways that are empowering, respectful and effective.
· Confidence working independently while contributing positively to a supportive team environment.
We are committed to creating a diverse work place where you can look forward to feeling included and valued for your contribution. Examples of our commitment, include that we are a dementia friendly organisation, a DVFREE Tick Accredited employer, a member of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion; and a member of the Pride Pledge.
Our people are critical to our success. Part of working as part of our team means that you will have access to:
Contact Recruitment@psn.org.nz if you have any questions or would like a copy of the Role Profile.
To check out our Careers page, please copy and paste https://careers.psn.org.nz/ into your browser to learn more about us and working here, including other exciting opportunities with us.
E hika ma, Tono a mai! (What are you waiting for)… join our team and be part of the solution!
Presbyterian Support Northern is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading providers of social, health, and disability services.
We have a long history supporting some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people – a legacy that dates back to 1884.
Today, our social services are comprised of Lifeline Aotearoa, Family Works and Shine, while our health and disability services are grouped under Enliven.
We also have a strong focus on business and community development through our Communities Feeding Communities initiative in Auckland, as well as fee-for-service training for businesses and community groups (DVFREE and Shine RESPOND).
With around 900 staff, we deliver valued services from regional sites throughout the upper North Island from Taupō to Whangārei.
