Horticulture instructor - prison

* Based at Rimutaka Men's Prison, Upper Hutt * Monday - Fridau (may require some weekend work) * Full-time, Permanent position Mo te tunga | About the role This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the men in our care and to contribute to their future, the future of their whanau, and the communities they will return to. In this role, you will be instrumental in helping individuals discover a new career path, talent, passion or confidence in their ability to learn. You will be joining an amazing team of experienced instructors who, every day, show a passion for their trade, and pass on their skills and knowledge to help prisoners improve their chances of gaining employment post-release. Rimutaka Prison Offender Employment (OE) is looking for a Horticultural Instructor to join our team. An instructor is a talented "people person" who can cope with change, is adaptable to dynamic work environments, has high moral standards and believes in the power of communication to make positive changes in a wide range of people's lives. You will be instrumental in providing prisoners with both an employment pathway and assisting them to gain the work habits, experience and skills sought by industry employers. As an Instructor your role is multi-layered. You will have custodial responsibilities, industry-based responsibilities (including health and safety) and training responsibilities. A comprehensive introduction to corrections and extensive initial training are provided for the successful applicant. This will involve on-site training as well as 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 rostered shift basis of 80 hours per fortnight. Public Holidays with the possibility of some overtime or callouts may be required. Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience We are looking for a horticultural instructor who is adaptable and interested in a variety of work, because no two days will be the same. You will also need a passion for passing on your skills and knowledge in a way that inspires the men in our care to confidently pursue a satisfying career upon release. Therefore, we are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria: * A New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3 or above), or an equivalent qualification. * Experience delivering training within the horticultural field. * Experience as an adult educator or holding an assessor qualification (4098) is an advantage. * Prior experience in the nursery industry, with proven skills in Nursery Production and/or Plant Propagation. * Extensive plant knowledge, particularly in New Zealand native species. * A full New Zealand Driver Licence and First Aid Certificate (required prior to starting). * A willingness to take on a wide variety of tasks and support the needs of all prison industries when required. * A proactive, energetic team leader/player who inspires others to achieve their best. * The ability to stay positive and resilient in a continually changing environment. * Exceptional communication and people-management skills. * A strong commitment to outstanding Health and Safety practices. Nga painga | The benefits The midpoint of the salary range is $80,876 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $72,514 - $90,322 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role. - Free parking onsite - Access to staff gym facilities 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 22nd February, 2026 If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact jess.escott@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.