Youth Development Specialist in Canterbury

After some professional and supportive training, you will become an instructor of a team of young people as they navigate through either 1-week, 2-week or a 6-week courses primarily located in Burnham, but some coursing will be in other NZDF locations such as Whenuapai or Trentham.

As an inspirational and engaging person, you'll be able to provide leadership and training to youth of Aotearoa, supporting them to build confidence, resilience and develop self-belief by guiding them to see what potential they have and can achieve, along with supporting them to develop conflict and resolution skills.

Mental resilience is a must for this role, as some days will be challenging. However, the huge sense of pride and reward you feel when you see the youth that you have trained succeed, will make it truly worth it.

Working alongside like-minded peers made up of Military personnel, physical training instructors and social workers will mean you have a team to support you to perform at your best. There is ongoing comprehensive staff training and substantial support services available.

You will bring strengths in innovative problem-solving and initiative, alongside a genuine ability to connect with teenagers and young adults to build trusting relationships. Empathy, respect, and cultural awareness are essential, enabling you to understand and support the diverse perspectives and experiences of youth across Aotearoa.

You will need to be able to commit to working shift/rostered work on weekends and outside of standard working hours. You will have to be willing and able to stay overnight in a field environment as required and travel to other NZDF locations as needed (you will be compensated for both of these requirements). This is not a job where you will be working from home!

You will need the following key skills and experience:

• Extensive and relevant experience in youth development and support.
• Ability to tailor your instructional approach to meet individual learning needs.
• Available to attend a 10-day Youth Development Specialist Basic Training Course in Whenuapai.
• Be warm, calm and friendly with a sense of humour, able to have fun.
• A full, clean current drivers' licence.
• Confident verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to live and operate in a wilderness/field environment, be physically fit and able to carry a pack and attend physical training classes alongside your team.
• Hold relevant social services or clinical qualifications ideally in youth development.
• Have a current New Zealand First Aid certificate or be prepared to obtain one.

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment.

Applications close on Tuesday 10 February 2026. Use the links on this page where you'll be directed to the Defence Careers website.

All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description and a Contact Us option for any queries or technical issues. Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description. Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria:

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
• At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last five (5) years.
• You must have a five (5) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.