Case Manager | Kaituitui, Oamaru
About this role
Join our busy team based in sunny Oamaru – where your office is minutes away from the ocean and beautiful Victorian architecture and vibrant creative culture.
- Full-time, permanent | Monday to Friday
- Start date: 9 November 2026
- Based at Oamaru Service Centre
This is real work that changes lives – including your own.
Case Managers are the face of public service at the frontline. You’ll work with New Zealanders navigating challenging life situations, such as employment changes, housing transitions, or financial stress, and help connect them to the right support at the right time.
This is complex, high trust mahi. You’ll be making decisions that impact whānau and communities, balancing empathy and policy, speed and accuracy. If you value people, process, and purpose, and can bring calm to complexity – this could be the role for you.
What you'll need to succeed | Ko tō āhua
You’ll put clients at the centre – listening deeply, responding with care, and helping people move forward in a way that works for them. You’ll bring a high level of personal integrity, initiative, and self-management.
You’ll also need to be:
- Fast and accurate with data entry – getting the detail right matters.
- Confident with technology – navigating multiple systems and supporting clients to do the same.
- Empathetic and professional – able to hold space for real-life challenges while applying policy.
- A clear communicator – someone who can build trust, explain things simply, and make good decisions.
- Adaptable and steady – comfortable with change, high volumes, and problem-solving on the go.
- A strong team player – grounded, dependable, and collaborative.
- Comfortable with numbers and detail – able to complete complex calculations related to payments, dates, and entitlements.
A day in the life:
- Supporting someone recently out of work to access income, training, or employment.
- Helping a whānau explore housing options and coordinating follow-ups.
- Encouraging digital self-service and building client confidence with online tools.
- Managing a busy caseload across multiple systems while keeping accurate notes.
- Referring clients to external providers and working collaboratively with others.
- Meeting with your team to reflect, troubleshoot, and support each other.
What you'll be part of:
- You’ll join a public service organisation committed to manaaki tangata, manaaki whānau — helping New Zealanders to be safe, strong, and independent.
- You’ll deliver integrated support across income, housing, and employment — helping clients navigate life transitions and connect to the right services, at the right time.
- You’ll be part of a team that upholds public trust and lives our values: working with integrity, partnering for impact, and standing up for the people we serve.
In return, we'll give you:
- A full induction and training plan.
- Ongoing support from your peers and leaders.
- Development opportunities and career pathways.
- A role where your mahi directly contributes to stronger communities.
- A competitive salary based on Band 4 ($69,519 – $84,041). Appointments may be considered potentially up to the midpoint $76,779 depending on your relevant skills, experience and other factors.
Recruitment and Selection Details:
- Applications close: Sunday 23 August 2026
- Recruitment and Selection process: Shortlisted candidates will complete a short digital confidence skills test, video pre-screening, and in-person interview.
- Applicants must hold New Zealand Citizenship, Permanent Residency or Australian Citizenship at time of application.
- This role requires applicants to have a clean full New Zealand Driver Licence.
- New Case Managers will be required to travel and stay away from home during parts of their initial 12-week training period.
If you have any queries regarding the role or would like to learn more, please contact John at [email protected].
How to Apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Click 'Apply Now' to upload your current CV and complete the online application form.
You do not need to submit a cover letter. Instead, you will be asked to respond to two short questions as part of the application form (each with a 2000-character limit):
- Why do you believe you’re the right person for this Case Manager role? What skills and experiences will help you succeed?
- Manaakitanga is about showing care, respect, and generosity. How might you demonstrate this in your work as a Case Manager?
View the Position Description: Case Manager position description
Company at a glance
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Come and join us at MSD. We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent.
Our work touches the lives of more than one million New Zealanders. This is not work we do alone. We work closely with other government agencies, non-government organisations, advisory and industry groups, and communities and iwi. Together we aim to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of New Zealanders.
You can have a long-term and progressive career at MSD across New Zealand. We have professionals operating in over 300 locations, so whether you’re a Policy Analyst based in Wellington or a Case Manager located in Timaru, we have opportunities for you.
Because of our size and diversity we offer varied careers in:
- Policy, including research and evaluation
- Corporate support, like IT, Finance, Human Resources and Legal Services
- Service delivery through Work and Income; and Students, Seniors and Integrity Services
To view our current vacancies please visit: https://msdcareers.msd.govt.nz
Vacancies are regularly updated, but to stay ahead of the game, register your interest in hearing about all advertised opportunities with the Ministry by setting up a job seeker profile with us and receiving job alerts.
Top Benefits
- Full induction and training plan
- Ongoing support from peers and leaders
- Development opportunities
- Career pathways
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