Behaviour Specialist -Wellington

Community Connections – Wellington Central, North Island Wellington-based Flexible working arrangements If you're looking for a role where your expertise will influence practice, build capability, and make a lasting difference in people's lives, Community Connections is the place to do it. About Us Community Connections | Te Hāpori Āwhina Tāngata is a community-based disability support provider operating across much of the North Island. Our vision is an inclusive Aotearoa where disabled people are valued and supported to live the lives they choose. We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the NZ Disability Strategy, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially Māori, Pasifika, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people with lived experience of disability or mental health. About the Role As a Behaviour Specialist, you'll work alongside the people we support, their whānau, Service Delivery Leads, and frontline teams to understand the reasons behind behaviours of concern and develop practical, person-centred strategies that improve quality of life. Rather than simply developing Positive Behaviour Support plans, you'll partner with operational teams to embed those strategies into everyday practice. Through coaching, mentoring, and collaborative problem-solving, you'll build the capability and confidence of support teams, ensuring positive outcomes are sustainable long after your direct involvement. This is a highly collaborative role where you'll undertake behavioural assessments, develop and review Positive Behaviour Support plans, monitor outcomes, and work closely with multidisciplinary professionals to ensure supports remain effective, responsive, and aligned with best practice. Your caseload will be tailored to your level of experience and expertise. You'll be part of our Quality Team and will report directly to the Behaviour Specialist Lead, receiving ongoing support and professional guidance. Location We are advertising this opportunity across both the Manawatū and Wellington regions and welcome applications from candidates based in either location. This role requires regular travel across Community Connections' regions (approximately every 6–8 weeks). We are committed to supporting your professional growth and are happy to invest in relevant training and professional development opportunities. This role is fixed-term and will conclude on 30 October 2027. About You You're an experienced Positive Behaviour Support practitioner who enjoys working alongside others to create practical, sustainable change. You combine strong critical thinking with excellent relationship-building skills and can translate complex behavioural concepts into strategies that are realistic, meaningful, and easy for frontline teams to implement. You'll be confident working independently while collaborating effectively with operational leaders, allied health professionals, and whānau. Most importantly, you'll be passionate about empowering both the people we support and the teams who work alongside them. A relevant tertiary qualification in psychology, behaviour analysis, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience in behaviour support Demonstrated experience in functional behaviour assessment, Positive Behaviour Support plan development, and coaching frontline teams Sound understanding of Positive Behaviour Support and its application within disability services Knowledge of the New Zealand disability sector, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Enabling Good Lives framework Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare accessible clinical documentation for different audiences Ability to work autonomously across multiple regions Full New Zealand driver's licence and willingness to travel regularly, including overnight stays Willingness to undergo Police Vetting and reference checks Legal rights to work in New Zealand Postgraduate qualification in psychology, behaviour analysis, or a related discipline Experience supporting restrictive practice reduction initiatives Knowledge of Te Whare Tapa Whā or other culturally responsive wellbeing frameworks Te Reo Māori skills or a commitment to ongoing learning Why Join Community Connections? At Community Connections, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while growing your career in a supportive, collaborative organisation committed to person-centered practice. We recognise that great Behaviour Specialists never stop learning. That's why we're committed to investing in your ongoing professional development. Whether it's specialised Positive Behaviour Support training, clinical workshops, conferences, or other learning opportunities relevant to your role, we'll support you to continue building your knowledge, skills, and professional expertise. You'll also benefit from: Being part of a highly experienced and supportive Quality Team. Ongoing mentoring and coaching from our Behaviour Team Lead. Opportunities to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary professionals across a variety of services and regions. A role where your expertise directly improves the quality of life of disabled people and strengthens the capability of frontline teams. A culture that values innovation, continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional excellence. #J-18808-Ljbffr