Crisis Counsellor

Location: Tauranga Hours: 0.8 FTE, four days per week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – Fixed-Term Contract ending November 2027 Applications close: 27th August 2026– we reserve the right to close this ad early upon applicant response, so please do not delay your application. Tautoko Mai is a trusted, purpose-driven organisation supporting people across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato with care that is grounded, practical and deeply respectful. Our kaupapa is grounded in aroha, partnership, cultural safety, and the belief that every person deserves to live free from harm. Our purpose is to walk beside individuals, families and whānau, and communities, helping them navigate the impacts of harm and build stronger futures. United by a vision of safety, dignity and healing for all, we provide support that honours people’s strength, dignity and choices. A future where communities are free from sexual and family harm. We are seeking a compassionate, culturally competent and trauma-informed Crisis Counsellor / Kaiārahi to join our Therapeutic Services – Crisis Services team based in Tauranga. This role is a Fixed Term position until November 2027 to cover a period of Parental Leave. This role provides immediate and short-term therapeutic support for clients impacted by recent and/or historic sexual harm. You will work directly with clients and their whānau, alongside other Tautoko Mai staff, clinicians and external agencies, to support safety, recovery and healing. The role is responsible for initiating a pathway to recovery for a caseload of clients, using a collaborative and client-centred approach. This includes initial post-trauma counselling, crisis counselling support, therapeutic planning, and referral to internal or external services where appropriate. The role includes working with children, young people and adults who have experienced sexual harm, ensuring their specific developmental, emotional, cultural and wellbeing needs are recognised and supported. What You’ll Do Deliver high-quality, trauma-informed crisis counselling to clients impacted by sexual harm. Provide therapeutic support to children, young people and adults. Develop and implement therapeutic plans in collaboration with clients. Offer brief, focused therapeutic interventions that align with crisis response requirements. Provide culturally safe, inclusive and respectful support. Work alongside whānau, internal teams and external agencies to support holistic care. Refer clients to appropriate internal or external services where needed. Keep accurate, timely and confidential client records in line with best practice, policy and procedure. Support clients through legal and court processes where appropriate. Participate in professional supervision, ongoing development, training and team hui. Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Contribute to service quality, continuous improvement and a positive team culture. You will bring a warm, client-centred approach and the ability to hold space for people navigating the impacts of sexual harm. You will be grounded in safe, ethical practice and committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in your work. You will have: A relevant professional qualification and aligned membership of a professional body, such as NZAC. Experience working within the sexual harm sector, or a related specialist trauma-focused setting. A sound understanding of trauma-informed and violence-informed practice. Experience working therapeutically with children and young people, or a genuine commitment to continuing this work. Strong written and verbal communication skills. The ability to keep accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation. Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills. Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural responsiveness and tikanga Māori. Confidence working respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds, identities and communities. A full and unrestricted New Zealand driver’s licence. Personal Attributes You will be: Friendly, flexible and professional. Empathetic, non-judgemental and respectful. Able to work with sensitivity and care around the impacts of sexual harm. Inclusive and able to relate well to people from diverse backgrounds. Resilient, reflective and committed to ethical practice and self‑care. Comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Committed to continuous learning and professional development. Why Tautoko Mai? At Tautoko Mai, we walk alongside people on their path to healing. You’ll join a passionate, multidisciplinary team in an organisation working to help build a society free from sexual and family harm. This is meaningful mahi where your clinical skills, cultural awareness and commitment to client‑centred practice can make a real difference for people, whānau and communities. Tautoko Mai is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. #J-18808-Ljbffr