Job Description

• Do you have confidence in working with diverse individuals and communities?

• Are you a qualified mental health practitioner with a current practising certificate?

• Have you got experience in trauma informed practice and supporting young adults experiencing psychological distress?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Kaitaki Whakamahereora - Team Lead, Counselling (Mental Health and Outreach Coordination) to join the Mauri Ora - Student Health and Counselling team on a permanent, full-time basis.

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Counsellor, Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse or Psychotherapist to join our passionate and motivated team.

Key responsibilities:

• You will have a strong interest and extensive experience in trauma informed practice, supporting young adults experiencing psychological distress.
• As a leader, you will have a passion for building collaborative partnerships as well as supporting the service and your colleague’s growth.
• As a Kaitaki Whakamahereora - Team Lead, you will lead a team of clinicians and will be responsible for all aspects of your staff management and professional leadership.
• You will work closely with the Clinical Lead, Counselling, to ensure the Service meets student and University needs. This includes working alongside the Clinical Lead, Counselling, in leading, planning, strategic development and management of the delivery of the Student Counselling Service responsive to the increasingly diverse student population to assist students to achieve their academic and personal potential.
• You will use your clinical expertise and judgment to provide consultation to clinicians managing complex mental health presentations and crisis. This role contains a mix of leadership responsibilities and the delivery of counselling services to students.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

Key requirements:

• Experienced, qualified Mental Health practitioner with a current practising certificate that complies with the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003) or a Counsellor with NZAC full registration and Te Whatu Ora Accreditation.
• Previous experience leading and managing a team successfully.
• Proven experience in supporting and advising staff to manage clinical risk.
• Experience building effective working relationships with a range of professional, clinical, and academic partners.
• Knowledge and experience of Te Ao Māori and working with Māori individuals, whānau, and communities.
• Experience and interest in working with Pasifika, Gender Diverse and international communities.
• Experienced in crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning.
• Experienced in a range of evidence based therapeutic approaches and brief/time limited models of counselling.
• Proven understanding of issues relating to late adolescence and early adulthood.
• Knowledge of the support needs of university students and of equity issues.
• Experienced in the provision of consultation and mental health promotion/preventive services.
• Proven ability to counsel using an approach that is non-judgemental, flexible, empathic and sensitive to cultural and religious differences and sexual and gender diversity.
• Familiarity with the Microsoft Suite and experience of client management and record keeping software.

• Ability to work across multiples campus locations and occasionally work after-hours.

Ideally, you will also have the following:

• Knowledge of The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

• Knowledge and experience in trauma informed models of care.

• Proven experience using practice management software, preferably Indici.

We are a collegial team from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds. We cultivate regular professional and social connections to foster a supportive and warm atmosphere. We offer competitive salary, and our team benefits include:

• 5 professional development days and individual professional development budget (FTE pro rata).

• In-house professional development sessions on cultural and clinical topics.

• Fortnightly external clinical supervision (FTE pro rata) & fortnightly in-house peer supervision.

• Professional indemnity insurance and annual registration (FTE pro rata).

If you are curious, eager to work in a tight knit team and have a great sense of community you will fit right in!

Click here to see further information, including salary details.

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University careers page.

Close date for vacancy: 30 August 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Laureline Darques, Clinical Lead, Counselling (laureline.darques@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise