- Help men in prison develop skills in the dairy industry
- Work for a values-led organisation that makes a difference
- On the job training and opportunities to build your career
'Kotahi ano te kaupapa, ko te oranga o te iwi' -`There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and wellbeing of our people.
Mo te tunga | About the role
We currently have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Dairy Farm Instructor at Otago Corrections Facility (OCF).
Prison industries provide people in prison with meaningful engagement and equip them with valuable work experience and skills for the future. They are an important part of working towards reintegration and can increase chances of obtaining successful employment on release. Industries are also critical in providing essential services for the operation of the prison.
The OCF Farm is a 130-hectare dairy farm which supports a herd of 360 cows and produces 120,000 KG of milk solids annually for Fonterra. As an Instructor on the farm, you will oversee daily milking, whilst training people in prison across a range of general and dairy specific duties. The training you provide will enable them to achieve NZQA unit standards linked to the dairy industry and provide a platform of good working habits to take forward to the future.
Instructors have the same classification as Corrections Officers and, as such, complete the same initial training courses. This will involve on-site training as well as 5 weeks residential training at our National Learning Centre in Upper Hutt, Wellington, to focus on the custodial elements of the position.
The hours of work will be on a shift basis of 87 hours per fortnight. The shifts are 10-hour shifts and are typically from 6.00 am until 16.00 pm however some flexibility is required in accordance with the farm's operational needs. Weekend work is required with every second weekend being rostered off.
Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience
We are interested in hearing from people who possess:
- Solid experience in dairy farming (minimum 3 seasons managing/ 2ic dairy farm experience).
- An NZQA level 4 dairy qualification (desirable but not essential).
- The ability to motivate and develop people within a team environment.
- The ability to remain positive and resilient in challenging situations.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to develop solid relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- The ability to work effectively with different cultures including working in a Te ao Maori space.
- Outstanding health and safety practices.
- Experience as an Adult Educator or NZAQ Assessor (4098) is an advantage.
- A full NZ driver licence (or be eligible to obtain one).
If successful at interview stage, you will be required to complete a full disclosure criminal history check (clean slate does not apply so please declare any convictions in your application), pre-employment medical, physical and drug testing as a part of the recruitment process.
Nga painga | The benefits
The starting salary for this position is $79, 500 - $86, 677 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role. Once in the role there are opportunities to increase your salary over time up to $93, 210 per annum.
Mo matou | About us
Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Maori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai Rangi strategy.
We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.
Tono inaianei | Apply Now
To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency - applications received via email will not be considered.
When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.
Applications close on: Sunday 10th August 2025.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [email protected], or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.
