Major Incident Support Team Member

Hato Hone St John is a long-standing health charity in New Zealand, serving communities since 1885. Today the organisation relies on nearly 12,000 kaimahi across Aotearoa to respond to 111 calls, teach health education, and help people access and monitor wellbeing. The Major Incident Support Team (MIST) program is a volunteer path that lets non-clinical people lend a hand behind the scenes, supporting ambulance crews and communities during a wide range of situations. In Invercargill, this onsite role offers a chance to contribute locally while being part of a nationwide network that steps in during planned events, local emergencies and national crises alike.

If you enjoy practical, hands-on work and want to make a real difference without frontline clinical duties, this could be for you. The team values friendly, reliable volunteers who can operate in behind-the-scenes roles, from events to emergencies, helping to keep ambulance operations running smoothly and making a tangible impact in your community.

As a MIST member, you’ll join a behind-the-scenes crew that helps keep the wheels turning. The work adapts to the situation, at times you’ll be hands-on with lifting or setup; at others, you’ll be coordinating logistics, welfare, safety or communications. It’s a chance to contribute to critical operations in a way that supports frontline crews and communities when every minute matters.

Behind the scenes support during incidents and events

Day to day, you’ll help keep MIST vehicles and equipment ready for action and you may relocate and operate support or specialist vehicles, ensuring equipment and vehicles are prepared and safely positioned for deployment. When major incidents or events unfold, you could step into roles in logistics, welfare, communications, safety, or you might lead a small team to keep activities coordinated and on track. All new MIST members complete an initial foundation course, which introduces Hato Hone St John, operational risk management principles and driving training, so you’re prepared to operate vehicles and equipment with confidence in emergency environments.

The training element is a fixed part of the role, ensuring you start with a solid grounding and can progress with confidence as you support ambulance operations behind the scenes.

What you’ll need to bring to the role

To be considered for this volunteer position, you’ll need a few essentials. Must-haves include a current, full New Zealand Class 1 driver’s licence, a commitment to ongoing training and readiness, and the ability to deploy within 30 minutes of activation when your availability has been indicated. You should be capable of working well on your own and with others, possess strong communication skills and a sharp eye for detail, and maintain a good level of physical fitness. You must be at least 18 years old and ready to align with the core values of Hato Hone St John: Do the right thing, Side by side, Straight up, Make it better, Open minds.

• Current, full New Zealand Class 1 Driver's Licence
• Attending at least one training session per month to stay operationally ready
• Willingness to deploy within 30 minutes of activation when availability is indicated
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Good physical fitness
• Age 18 or older
• Ability to model the core values: Do the right thing, Side by side, Straight up, Make it better, Open minds

Nice-to-haves include a First Aid certificate level 2, which is preferred; if you don’t currently hold it, training will be provided by the programme.

Pay, benefits and practical details

This is a volunteer role with on-site work in Invercargill. You’ll need to be ready to deploy within 30 minutes of activation when your availability is indicated, and you’ll participate in a required training cadence, at least one session per month, to maintain operational readiness. A current, full NZ Class 1 Driver’s Licence is required, and a First Aid certificate level 2 is preferred (training available if not already held). All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including physical and psychometric assessments, police vetting, health checks and references. For roles where driving is required, it’s necessary to meet Hato Hone St John Medical Standards for Driving.

The organisation emphasises diversity and inclusivity, welcoming people from all backgrounds to bring their authentic selves to work and serve communities. If you’re curious about the process or your fit, a recruitment advisor listed on the advertisement can chat with you about next steps.

Tips for your application

Lead with your driving credentials and your readiness to deploy quickly. On your résumé, open with a line that confirms you hold a current NZ Class 1 licence and your ability to be ready to mobilise on short notice, followed by any relevant non-clinical volunteer or logistics experience that demonstrates your reliability and teamwork.

Demonstrate the must-have skills with concrete examples. Show times when you worked independently and with others, how you communicated clearly under pressure, and how you paid attention to details in a fast-moving setting. If you’ve completed any safety, logistics or incident-management tasks, call those out with outcomes or quantified results where possible.

Be prepared to talk through your experiences in interviews. You may be asked how you would handle a dynamic incident, how you’ve managed safety and welfare in busy settings, and how you maintain fitness and readiness for deployments. Have a few short stories ready that illustrate how you worked as part of a team under pressure and how you prioritise clear, accurate communication.

Ask a smart question to close. Consider asking about the typical activation flow for Invercargill MIST members, how deployments are assigned, or what ongoing support and training looks like to help you stay prepared for fast-changing incidents.

How to apply

If this opportunity resonates, click the I’m interested button before applications close on 7th November 2026. Be aware that appointments are contingent on completing pre-employment checks, including physical assessment, psychometric assessment, police vetting, health checks and reference checks. For roles where driving is required, you’ll also need to meet Hato Hone St John Medical Standards for Driving. If you have questions or need guidance, the recruitment advisor listed on the advertisement can help you navigate the process.