Helplines Counsellor

This is Us

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to actively contribute to their community and thrive. Our team of 900 stretches from Taupō to Whangārei, providing access to critical health and social services across Aotearoa.

We’re proud of our core services — Enliven, Family Works, Lifeline and Shine — and everything we do is guided by our purpose of helping people have A Better Life.

For more than half a century, Lifeline Aotearoa has been there helping New Zealanders in crisis or distress. Lifeline provides a 24/7 nationwide helpline and text-line counselling service to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of our callers and communities.

The Opportunity

As a Lifeline Counsellor, you’ll be part of a dedicated team providing professional counselling and emotional support to people across Aotearoa.

Working across our phone and text services, you’ll support people experiencing a wide range of challenges — from distress, anxiety and loneliness to relationship difficulties and moments of crisis.

You’ll use your counselling skills to build rapport quickly, listen without judgement, understand what someone needs and provide support that is safe, empowering and effective.

No two conversations are the same, and sometimes a few minutes of genuine connection can make a bigger difference than you realise.

And while the work can be serious, we don’t believe you need to wear a suit to make a difference — comfortable workwear (yes, even tracksuit pants!) is welcome.

This is a rewarding role where every interaction has the potential to make a real difference.

What’s in it for you?

· Flexibility to work 32 or 40 hours per week across rostered shifts, including evenings and weekends.

· Work across a fortnightly roster covering:

7.00am – 3.30pm

3.30pm – 12.00am

· Be part of a supportive and purpose-driven team

· Make a genuine difference to people across Aotearoa

You’ll need to be available to work both shift patterns, including one weekend per fortnight.

Your Skills and Experience

We’re looking for someone who brings:

· A relevant Social Services qualification, such as counselling, social work or nursing, and full registration with the relevant registration board.

· Experience providing counselling or therapeutic support.

· Strong communication and active listening skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly over the phone and through text.

· The ability to remain calm, compassionate and professional when supporting people experiencing significant distress.

· A genuine passion for helping people and supporting them in ways that are empowering, respectful and effective.

· Confidence working independently while contributing positively to a supportive team environment.

Highlights of Working with Us

- Boost Programme: Instant access to special offers, gym memberships, and seasonal holiday deals across 50+ popular Kiwi brands.
- Referral Bonus: A $200 reward for every successful referral of a friend or family member to PSN wide.
- Employee Recognition: Company recognition for continued years of service. Nomination of employees for living the company values.
- Long Service Leave: An extra 5 days of leave applied at 5 years of service.
- KiwiSaver: Contributions provided in addition to your base salary.
- Leave Purchasing: The option to apply to purchase up to 10 additional days of annual leave each year.
- Wellbeing Support: Confidential support and online resources for you and your family through the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Flu Vaccination: Free annual flu vaccinations provided to help protect your health and wellbeing.
- PSN Scholarship: Financial and academic support opportunities to fund your professional development and higher education.

We are committed to creating a diverse work place where you can look forward to feeling included and valued for your contribution. Examples of our commitment, include that we are a dementia friendly organisation, a DVFREE Tick Accredited employer, a member of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion; and a member of the Pride Pledge.

Our people are critical to our success. Part of working as part of our team means that you will have access to:

Contact [email protected] if you have any questions or would like a copy of the Role Profile.

To check out our Careers page, please copy and paste https://careers.psn.org.nz/ into your browser to learn more about us and working here, including other exciting opportunities with us.

E hika ma, Tono a mai! (What are you waiting for)… join our team and be part of the solution!